I've heard from numerous people that they find atheists to be assholes. Seeing posts on this board I would agree there are a lot of assholes on this site. Do you find yourself to be an asshole? Feel free to avoid the question and call me an asshole. I'll take that as an affirmative answer.
I am an atheist and I have an asshole. So what?
I'm an asshole to people that deserve it and I'm nice to people who deserve it. Just because I argue with someone with facts and point out their delusions doesn't make me an asshole. Being educated on a subject and pointing out someone's misinformation doesn't make me an asshole. Sticking up for myself and what I believe in doesn't make me an asshole. Not wanting to listen to their B.S. doesn't make me an asshole. BUT sometimes you just gotta be an asshole.
I do not deliberately deride those that believe. As long as they do not attempt to make me do so.
Same with all the religious, including the Wokees..... There is no MAGIC that can allow men to become women.....That is a clear religious insanity.
Those who believe any supernatural bullshit will think i am an asshole if they provoke me into defending reality.
Yes, I am an asshole in the eyes of every religious fundamentalist that engages with me. Equally, I regard all religious fundamentalists as assholes. As @LiterateHiker says, it's all about perception.
No, I don't consider me to be one, but if someone attacks me and calls me one then I will defend myself, and confirm to the person who attacked me that I am what they already believe me to be, because I've reacted in a way that they set me up for. A no win situation, and something that assholes generally do. But really, do you expect a true bonafide asshole to announce it?
@darren316 Well, some are open about it while others try to hide it. Those are the ones who get offended if you say it. My ex-husband introduced himself that way. "Hi, I'm _____, and I'm an asshole!"
What I think is that saying it not only warns people about any up coming asshole behavior, but also an excuse, or permission, to act that way. That way no one can really be shocked at what you say and do, but also you're not supposed to get mad and say anything if they've adequately forewarned you. Which is not good husband material as I found out, lol.
@RhondaShotwell Virtually everyone says they want honesty. I sometimes wonder if they are being honest about that.
No doubt some have-been offended (RARELY my intent) by my comments on/off this website.
I'm wondering what you might think of these non-secret 'philosophies' of mine :
Sugar coating leads to truth decay
I say what I mean and mean what I say, I don't think that make me a mean person.
@FearlessFly I'm usually not a fan of sugar coating, but I don't think you have to be brutal in being honest. I think you can mean what you say, but choosing the right words could mean the difference between being offensive which can cause a whole lot of trouble, or someone being willing to consider what you've said, and having an honest dialog from there. Choosing the right words takes some skill, and is harder in the moment.
Given how atheists have been demonized with hate by Christians, few people are in a position to render judgment that is fair or valid. Perhaps the question is more properly phrased as to whether atheists have a higher proportion of assholes than some other group. Either way, what would the point be, except to toss out useless insults?
Our "frame of reference" or perception is based on our experience and education. This is how we see the world. We may change our perception when we have a new experience or learning.
Last Thursday and Friday we had record-breaking snowfall. I give Wenatchee, WA where I live a D- for snow removal. Left and right-turn lanes are filled with snow. Roads are narrowed to one slippery lane each way. Traffic is massively slowed and backed up. Drivers are crowding main roads because side roads are unplowed.
On an bridge over the Columbia River, males in huge pickups blasted by me acting like it was the Indy 500. Two guys roared past giving me the finger when I slowed for an icy, curving exit.
They may have been giving me the finger for the "Washington Democrat" and "Keep Your Theology Off My Biology" signs on the back of my car. Not for my slower driving.
We both thought the other person was an asshole. It's all in your perception.
Every body needs an asshole.
Its the web, what else do you expect, the web is where assholes go to dump their contents.
and its easier to be an assshole when you don't have to look folks in the eye when you are
Atheists can be assholes just as the religious. We however atheists are not constrained by the fear of retribution from a deity or by culture pressures contained therein. Depends on ones definition of an asshole. . If expressing anger, throwing insults with the best of 'em, constitutes an asshole , then I suppose I fit that definition. For me an asshole includes but nit limited to is, someone who tricks people into relinquishing what is valuable, attacks our Capitol governance, turns people into the Nazis without a warning first, hurts children or animals, discards toxic waste illegally, kills spiders, is a bully picking on the weak, or makes noise that is disrespectful of the quiet . Assholes are everywhere. I will not to be one of those defined previously. Is there a line whereby the definition is firm or is the definition fluid & relevant to each individual? I'm inclined towards the latter.
Only an arsehole would post such a question.
@darren316 I presume you therefore fit the bill, arsehole!
@darren316 Uh-oh, are you giving yourself away here?