How do you handle negativity regarding your agnostic ideas?
I try to 'blind' them with science - better expressed as 'enlighten' them but when I sense they have left my train of thoughts I back peddle as it can be counterproductive. However for me knowing what their science limits are helps me to be a better science explainer. Science of course does annoy some atheists and we have a long way to go to 'sing off one hymn sheet' but I believe that is the way forward.
No one really bitches at me about it. word gets around that I will shove data up your ass and light it on fire if you have issues. But i'm lucky
If someone tries to engage in a friendly conversation, I explain my philosophical views and end it with saying "This is nothing more than a disagreement between us."
If that person is combative or tries to proselytize, I pokes holes in his/her beliefs and point out the hypocrisy of valuing those beliefs over another. And I tell them explicitly "I don't value beliefs, I value knowledge."
Usually I will not bother to engage them , as I concur with this quote by Thomas Paine [i.pinimg.com] . I feel that I would be vainly wasting both their time and mine . I think that before debating anyone about anything , first ask them if they were wrong , would they want to know . If they answer negatively , then you shouldn't cast your pearls of insight before such swine . This is my take on the matter .
Like a door knocking mormon, I go in for the kill!
I never encounter any.
That's not true! Remember when Carol misunderstood you once and you have to explain yourself? I think that's what she means when she asks this.