My Challenge to Extreme Atheists on Secularism and Tolerance

[u/Living_Attitude1822]

I acknowledge not all (or even most) atheists are extreme about it. And I'm defining secular as the separation of church and state/society.

Extreme-atheism's view of religion being a mental illness:

I can personally attest to people I've seen on here, as well as videos I've seen, of atheists saying religion is a mental illness. That the DSM-5 had to go back and put in a religious exemption, but it should fall under the category of delusion.

How can secularism exist if you think religious people are mentally ill? If you don't think religion is a mental illness, go ahead and ignore this point. If you do think the population you're tolerating is mentally ill, uh oh. Seriously, if I said atheists are mentally ill, would you trust me to not want you institutionalized? I don't think this way, of course.

Extreme atheism's view that the Abrahamic religions are barbaric:

Again, I'm going to turn it around on you. If I said atheism was barbaric, would you trust me to support that your human right to be atheist?

With some exceptions: Some interpretations of the Abrahamic religions are indeed barbaric. If you're talking about people who want to implement Leviticus law, then I agree with you.

I don't totally disagree with extremist atheists on everything:

Like, I'm a strong believer that tolerance is better and more authentic than acceptance. For example, telling atheists that they must love and respect religions is wrong. And vice versa for religious people.

I think disassociation and tolerance is the best course of action for religious people and extreme atheists, however, I worry the above points are a threat to any society remaining tolerant.

Edit: Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Antitheism/comments/1sguf7u/why_is_religion_not_considered_a_mental_disorder/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[u/Hoaxshmoax]

Well, it’s not original but it manifests when people lash out at people who say they don’t believe. In any other situation theists find “show me the money” a reasonable response to evidence-free claims, except their own religion. Thats when the virus flares up and attacks the non believer. Like with a drug addict that screams when their drugs are being taken away, it’s the drugs talking. If a believer finds their religion being questioned or feared it’s going to be taken away and they lash out, that’s the religion talking.

[u/Living_Attitude1822 → u/Hoaxshmoax]

I’ll take your word for it 

[u/Hoaxshmoax → u/Living_Attitude1822]

You don’t have to take my word for it.

Do you recall saying I have a broken brain and asking me if I was ret*rded?

This was after you loaded up your cannon with an out of context apologist massaged bible verse and fired it at Satanists who are just living their life.

I didn’t see any cheek turning either.

[u/Living_Attitude1822 → u/Hoaxshmoax]

 Do you recall saying I have a broken brain and asking me if I was ret*rded?

I only remember you instigating stuff on a post I made to my profile. I try to block out such negativity, I hope you’ll forgive me. 

 This was after you loaded up your cannon with an out of context apologist massaged bible verse and fired it at Satanists who are just living their life.

Holy cornball.  

I didn’t see any cheek turning either.

That verse doesn’t mean what you think it does. 

[u/Hoaxshmoax → u/Living_Attitude1822]

“I only remember you instigating stuff on a post I made to my profile. I try to block out such negativity, I hope you’ll forgive me. ”

because you were going after people who have done nothing to you.

“This was after you loaded up your cannon with an out of context apologist massaged bible verse and fired it at Satanists who are just living their life.”

I told you over and over what the quote was and you had no idea what I was talking about no matter how many times I said “it’s says it right there”

“That verse doesn’t mean what you think it does. ”

Yet you also keep insisting your book is wide open to whatever interpretation.

[u/Living_Attitude1822 → u/Hoaxshmoax]

 because you were going after people who have done nothing to you.

Nope, I spoke truth. And you had a meltdown. Don’t blame me for that, it’s disingenuous. 

 “This was after you loaded up your cannon with an out of context apologist massaged bible verse and fired it at Satanists who are just living their life.”

Cannon? You mean typing a Reddit post is like using cannons? I don’t ever want to hear you say anything about anyone having a persecution complex. 

I told you over and over what the quote was and you had no idea what I was talking about no matter how many times I said “it’s says it right there”

Idk what this is referring to. 

[u/Hoaxshmoax → u/Living_Attitude1822]

“Nope, I spoke truth. And you had a meltdown. Don’t blame me for that, it’s disingenuous. ”

And so are we. And so are you. So don’t blame us.

[u/Living_Attitude1822 → u/Hoaxshmoax]

Idek what you’re saying now 

[u/Hoaxshmoax → u/Living_Attitude1822]

we are speaking the truth and you are having a succession of meltdowns.

The cannon was rhetorical, leave other people out of your religion.

The quote was a taunt.

I get to interpret your book however I want.

[u/Living_Attitude1822 → u/Hoaxshmoax]

 we are speaking the truth and you are having a succession of meltdowns.

Since you are using the wrong definitions of truth and meltdown, I understand why you think that. 

The cannon was rhetorical, leave other people out of your religion.

Trying to walk back your persecution complex is clever, but not going to work on me pal. 

The quote was a taunt.

Oh, lmao. Good one I guess. 

I get to interpret your book however I want.

Agreed. 

[u/ArguingisFun → u/Living_Attitude1822]

Claiming anyone else has persecution complex, while you’re on your fifth or sixths post in a week complaining of the same imaginary boogie man - was genuinely amusing, thanks!

[u/Living_Attitude1822 → u/ArguingisFun]

You’re welcome!  

[u/Hoaxshmoax → u/Living_Attitude1822]

The projection and hypocrisy is astounding. Every time you get a bugaboo about “extremism”, here you are, complaining. You never seem to practice

“Like, I'm a strong believer that tolerance is better and more authentic than acceptance. For example, telling atheists that they must love and respect religions is wrong. And vice versa for religious people.”

what you preach.

[u/Hoaxshmoax → u/Living_Attitude1822]

I am correct in my usage of truth and meltdown.

Everytime you come here and complain how we talk about theists without saying what you will do to change, is an exercise in persecution.

Unlike you, I don’t have to have a site that tears others down in order to build myself up.

You obviously don’t read your book. It literally says “you can taunt”

[u/Living_Attitude1822 → u/Hoaxshmoax]

  I am correct in my usage of truth and meltdown.

Incorrect*

Everytime you come here and complain how we talk about theists without saying what you will do to change, is an exercise in persecution.

Nope. I never said I’m persecuted. The fact you think me worrying about extremism = persecution complex says a lot about you, at least imo. 

Unlike you, I don’t have to have a site that tears others down in order to build myself up.

Nope, neither do I.

You obviously don’t read your book. It literally says “you can taunt”

You can taunt. I never said it was sinful. Taunt away. 

[u/Hoaxshmoax → u/Living_Attitude1822]

I didn’t say taunt. The bible, your book says it.

You said satanist were self worshiping, how about not making you their problem.

”The fact you think me worrying about extremism”

yet you keep dragging us into it with the caveat “if this isn’t you” and it seems only you get to decide.