Is being forceful with ones' disbelief of religion any better than someone trying to convert one to a religion?
Religion carries a different type of twisted emotion. It's all the time trying to convince you that it's real with fastenating statements here and there to persuade you. Our belief is point blank denial. I don't care what it says, I don't believe.
I think only if they bring up the topic. If someone is belligerent and prodding a non-believer then it's fair game.
I had a friend who used to do that. He felt anyone who was remotely spiritual was morally bankrupt, and wouldn't listen to any other arguments. Even if someone believed something he didn't but they never pushed them on anyone else, he felt they were wrong for just believing. Finally it dawned on him that he was being just as judgmental as any other fundamentalist.
Religion has done far more evil than good. Atheism has never done anything. I'd say condemnation of an objectively bad movement is always the proper course of action. It's like comparing shooting your self in the foot because it itches and going to the doctors. Religion is a rediculouse blight on humanity and should be met with ridicule and hostility. Cut the cancer out, don't ignore it.
No. The vehement atheists, or really antitheists, do a disservice to the rest of us I believe. I enjoy a good debate on social media, but to belittle people for the beliefs helps no one. All it does is anger those reading it and make them even more resolute in their stance against nonbelievers. There are plenty of facts, ideas, and arguments we can use to refute religious ideas without resorting to flinging feces... And really, you aren't going to change anyone's mind, so unless you actually enjoy debate, don't waste your time. If it makes you angry in any way, don't waste your energy.
I'm open about it at work. That is the only place I am comfortable doing so.
Maybe not better, but certainly needed when the weight of the system is behind a particular religion.
I feel like i want to be "out" about my beliefs... present an alternative. I don't know thst i necessarily need to be forceful.
Not really I've yet to meet someone pushing their atheism/antitheistic ideas. Usually we are responding to theistic attacks on our secular society