Denying science in the classroom

[NM11046]

I'd say the percentage of atheists that behave more as nasty, anti-theists is higher than the percentage of self-identified Christians who act high and mighty towards anyone not in the club. But, you're dealing with a much smaller sample size.

That's an interesting perception LOMS. My experience is quite different - I have far more people in my life who push their christianity on me or whomever they are around - the atheists tend to be pretty darn quiet. (that's usually the first clue)

Hmmm, that's interesting. I'm going to have to agree with LOMS on this one. Not saying your experience couldn't be different but my experience mirrors what LOMS said. But, I also really make an effort to avoid Christians that act that way. For some reason, even though I am Christian (or maybe because of it) I find that behavior much more detestable in a Christian than I do in an atheist. And I will admit I know extremely few admitted atheists outside of internet forums so my sample size of Christians is very large compared to atheists.

Wonder if our experiences are a bit biased as we fit into the group that we say is less offensive? Just a thought as I read through our back and forth. Of course I think atheists are more reasonable and less in your face (they're my people!)

I will also say, that unless in a discussion like this I don't bring up religion or my lack of belief in normal christianity. I find that my christian friends are more likely to be proactive about bringing it up and trying to urge others to get more committed to the church and its beliefs.

Also, I think as a general rule a christian defines/describes him/herself by their religion - it's part of their identity. For instance, "I am a white, male, christian from the midwest who loves the huskers." vs what I might say: "I am a white, female, professional from the midwest who loves the huskers."

 

[JJ Husker]

Moiraine, I don't know if I knew you were Christian before this thread. It's not something you discuss much.

Uh oh, Knapp's got another one to go to work on...

 

[Landlord]

That might be one of my least understood posts in my decade on Huskerboard.

 

[JJ Husker]

I'd say the percentage of atheists that behave more as nasty, anti-theists is higher than the percentage of self-identified Christians who act high and mighty towards anyone not in the club. But, you're dealing with a much smaller sample size.

That's an interesting perception LOMS. My experience is quite different - I have far more people in my life who push their christianity on me or whomever they are around - the atheists tend to be pretty darn quiet. (that's usually the first clue)

Hmmm, that's interesting. I'm going to have to agree with LOMS on this one. Not saying your experience couldn't be different but my experience mirrors what LOMS said. But, I also really make an effort to avoid Christians that act that way. For some reason, even though I am Christian (or maybe because of it) I find that behavior much more detestable in a Christian than I do in an atheist. And I will admit I know extremely few admitted atheists outside of internet forums so my sample size of Christians is very large compared to atheists.

Wonder if our experiences are a bit biased as we fit into the group that we say is less offensive? Just a thought as I read through our back and forth. Of course I think atheists are more reasonable and less in your face (they're my people!)

I contemplated this very thing before posting what I did because I thought might be the case but, being honest, I don't believe that is influencing me.

When Christians start behaving that way, I head the other direction. When atheists do it, for some odd reason I'm drawn to explore it (or argue with them) further. But I will say I definitely have run into a lot more butthole Christians than I have atheists but the sample sizes are no where close to each other.

 

[JJ Husker]

That might be one of my least understood posts in my decade on Huskerboard.

Why are you lashing out with such anger?

 

[knapplc]

I'd say the percentage of atheists that behave more as nasty, anti-theists is higher than the percentage of self-identified Christians who act high and mighty towards anyone not in the club. But, you're dealing with a much smaller sample size.

You were saying something about how Christians aren't nasty?

Moiraine, I don't know if I knew you were Christian before this thread. It's not something you discuss much.

Uh oh, Knapp's got another one to go to work on...

What the hell, JJ?

 

[Danny Bateman]

I'd say the percentage of atheists that behave more as nasty, anti-theists is higher than the percentage of self-identified Christians who act high and mighty towards anyone not in the club. But, you're dealing with a much smaller sample size.

You were saying something about how Christians aren't nasty?

Moiraine, I don't know if I knew you were Christian before this thread. It's not something you discuss much.

Uh oh, Knapp's got another one to go to work on...

What the hell, JJ?

El D is not your typical Christian.

That guy is one sick puppy.

 

[JJ Husker]

I'd say the percentage of atheists that behave more as nasty, anti-theists is higher than the percentage of self-identified Christians who act high and mighty towards anyone not in the club. But, you're dealing with a much smaller sample size.

You were saying something about how Christians aren't nasty?

Moiraine, I don't know if I knew you were Christian before this thread. It's not something you discuss much.

Uh oh, Knapp's got another one to go to work on...

What the hell, JJ?

C'mon, it was just a joke. You didn't think it was funny?

Like dudeguyy said, I'm a sick puppy.

 

[Landlord]

calm down knapp.

 

[knapplc]

Ah, tone policing. Nice one, Landlord.

 

[TGHusker]

Everything referencing a nastiness comparison will be anecdotal. I've seen plenty of self-described atheists act like complete a$$hole$ online - more than I could count. I've also seen where many of them get called out on it, and when they do, they claim some justification for their anger/hatred because of past abuse from someone involved in the church. I couldn't fathom if those accounts are true, but I could understand if some of them were. It's hard to be charitable toward someone or something that you perceive hurt you.

I've also seen plenty of self-described Christians cloak themselves in "high-and-mightiness," both in person and online. It's ugly, too, and no less justified when deployed against someone who doesn't share your faith than atheists who blame all Christians for their hurt they say they suffered. The worst is when family members do it. You hate to see that, but then my family members hate that I'm not Christian, so I suppose that disappointment runs both ways.

Good discussion everyone. I've enjoyed reading all of the comments. To Knapp's point here, I think we (including me) can become 'high minded' and display an arrogant attitude when we don't consider the other person. While some people are just arrogant, being puffed up by their 'knowledge' others are well meaning in their pushing their faith or lack of - believing they are trying to help the other person. But their 'knowledge' isn't tempered with wisdom and humility. Humility is the primary attitude Christians are to display - if we are to 'win' others over, it should be via our lifestyle of service, compassion and humility and not pontificating. Yes, there is time to 'defend the faith' and to give a sound, reasoned response to others who may not agree with you but that also is to be done in the spirit of humility and not out of judgement or condescending.

This webpage has a listing of verses on humility

https://dailyverses.net/humility

 

[Redux]

Landlord of Memorial Stadium, on 23 Feb 2017 - 02:31 AM, said:

calm down knapp.

knapplc, on 23 Feb 2017 - 07:46 AM, said:

Ah, tone policing. Nice one, Landlord.

Can you guys just make out and get it over with already? You'll burn in hell forever afterwards but at least this sexual tension will be over.

 

[knapplc]

Don't you mean make out again?

 

[JJ Husker]

Don't you mean make out again?

Ahhhh, now it ALL makes sense.

Knapp is a bouncer at Fat Toad.

 

[Enhance]

Yes, there is time to 'defend the faith' and to give a sound, reasoned response to others who may not agree with you but that also is to be done in the spirit of humility and not out of judgement or condescending.

Well said, and it gets to a core issue whether you're Christian, Jewish, agnostic or atheist: it is human nature to be hypocritical and self-centered, viewing the transgressions committed against oneself in a different light than those you commit unto others. Christians have, historically, had more power and time to commit atrocities and be over-bearing in the name of God.

As Ben Harper once said, "if I ain't causin' no harm, it shouldn't bother you." Granted, he was talking about marijuana, but the idea still holds true. Christians/atheists should only defend their beliefs from a position of humility, and should avoid seeking out opportunities to press their opinions in an unwarranted manner.