Atheist Bashing

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OK, first of all, let me say that I personally do not like to bash atheists. I prefer to have respect for them, even the trolls. If I come across a troll, I usually just tell them (rightly) that they are wrong and shut off any chance for further conversing.

But is there any time at all in which making fun of trolls can be a good thing?

I ask in light of a recent conversation I had with tektontv on YouTube - part of the ministry of J.P. Holding, a notable evangelical Christian apologist. He has a tendency, it would seem to me, to bash atheists. I mean, yes, many of them use very weak straw men which only genuine idiots could believe. But does that give us the right to insult them?

Some examples:

[How to Respond to TektonTV /URL]

“Dumb Question of the Month” series (this is number 4)](
)
 
TarkanAttila said:
OK, first of all, let me say that I personally do not like to bash atheists. I prefer to have respect for them, even the trolls. If I come across a troll, I usually just tell them (rightly) that they are wrong and shut off any chance for further conversing.

But is there any time at all in which making fun of trolls can be a good thing?

I ask in light of a recent conversation I had with tektontv on YouTube - part of the ministry of J.P. Holding, a notable evangelical Christian apologist. He has a tendency, it would seem to me, to bash atheists. I mean, yes, many of them use very weak straw men which only genuine idiots could believe. But does that give us the right to insult them?

Some examples:

[How to Respond to TektonTV /URL]

“Dumb Question of the Month” series (this is number 4)](
)

No. We have no right to “insult” anybody.
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I don’t think we bash 'em enough!

Oops sorry, inside voice:p
 
triumphguy said:
I don’t think we bash 'em enough!

Oops sorry, inside voice:p
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:confused:
who? the aithiests or the inside voice(s) or our other brothers 😃
edit.
there is a time when one should weep for those that are truly poor
 
And my outside voice agrees with you!

Actually I quite respect genuine, intellectually honest atheists: not lazy atheists who couldn’t give a rats patooty about anything, but the one’s who genuinely struggle with the important questions in life - they are closer to God than they think! After all there’s a rich vein of tradition in Catholic spirituality where we experience the abandonment and silence of God.
 
TarkanAttila said:
OK, first of all, let me say that I personally do not like to bash atheists. I prefer to have respect for them, even the trolls. If I come across a troll, I usually just tell them (rightly) that they are wrong and shut off any chance for further conversing.
Click to expand...
I agree. As Christians, we are called to love and respect everyone, including our enemies (though I’m not trying to say that atheists are our enemies). When one bashes an atheist, he or she is going against that Christian message. I have respect for atheists, as they challenge our thinking in many different ways. Likewise, we challenge the thinking of atheists in a similar manner.

Further, I have a particular respect for atheists who are honestly curious about Christian beliefs, though they still disagree. One particular user on CAF, Sarah (atheistgirl), is very respectful of our beliefs, not to mention highly inquisitive. She disagrees with us, yes, but she asks honest questions to better her understanding; her responses to the given answers are respectful and thought-provoking. To me, it’s far better for an atheist to understand where the Christian position is coming from and respect it, even though he or she may disagree.
But is there any time at all in which making fun of trolls can be a good thing?
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Never. If a person makes fun of trolls and retaliates to their attacks, then he or she is doing exactly what the troll wants. They don’t listen to reason, and love nothing more than to frustrate people, “for the lulz” as they say.

Whenever I encounter a troll, I immediately ignore him or her. It’s better to cut the conversation off than to waste time and energy feeding them.
I ask in light of a recent conversation I had with tektontv on YouTube - part of the ministry of J.P. Holding, a notable evangelical Christian apologist. He has a tendency, it would seem to me, to bash atheists. I mean, yes, many of them use very weak straw men which only genuine idiots could believe. But does that give us the right to insult them?
Click to expand...
That reminds me of another user on YouTube, shockofgod. Many of his videos consist of attacking atheists, especially Richard Dawkins. It’s uncalled for, though. It doesn’t matter how weak an argument is, or how many logical fallacies they commit. The Bible is quite clear is telling us to defend our faith charitably. When a Christian bashes an atheist, he or she is only supporting the common atheistic claim that Christianity is intolerant to other beliefs and opinions. In my honest opinion, the extremists you find in Christianity are the reason why our faith has such a bad reputation.
 
triumphguy said:
And my outside voice agrees with you!

Actually I quite respect genuine, intellectually honest atheists: not lazy atheists who couldn’t give a rats patooty about anything, but the one’s who genuinely struggle with the important questions in life - they are closer to God than they think! After all there’s a rich vein of tradition in Catholic spirituality where we experience the abandonment and silence of God.
Click to expand...
This I agree with. However, even the stupid atheists who use shallow, silly arguments, deserve better, I think, than to be mocked and made the butt of jokes. Stupidity warrants pity more than insults, I would say.
 
Pheonix said:
I agree. As Christians, we are called to love and respect everyone, including our enemies (though I’m not trying to say that atheists are our enemies). When one bashes an atheist, he or she is going against that Christian message. I have respect for atheists, as they challenge our thinking in many different ways. Likewise, we challenge the thinking of atheists in a similar manner.

Further, I have a particular respect for atheists who are honestly curious about Christian beliefs, though they still disagree. One particular user on CAF, Sarah (atheistgirl), is very respectful of our beliefs, not to mention highly inquisitive. She disagrees with us, yes, but she asks honest questions to better her understanding; her responses to the given answers are respectful and thought-provoking. To me, it’s far better for an atheist to understand where the Christian position is coming from and respect it, even though he or she may disagree.

Never. If a person makes fun of trolls and retaliates to their attacks, then he or she is doing exactly what the troll wants. They don’t listen to reason, and love nothing more than to frustrate people, “for the lulz” as they say.

Whenever I encounter a troll, I immediately ignore him or her. It’s better to cut the conversation off than to waste time and energy feeding them.

That reminds me of another user on YouTube, shockofgod. Many of his videos consist of attacking atheists, especially Richard Dawkins. It’s uncalled for, though. It doesn’t matter how weak an argument is, or how many logical fallacies they commit. The Bible is quite clear is telling us to defend our faith charitably. When a Christian bashes an atheist, he or she is only supporting the common atheistic claim that Christianity is intolerant to other beliefs and opinions. In my honest opinion, the extremists you find in Christianity are the reason why our faith has such a bad reputation.
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I agree with all this. Can you provide some example verses, perhaps, of arguing reasonably without, as tektontv put it, “being a victim”?
 
1 Peter 3:15-16 “Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
 
triumphguy said:
I don’t think we bash 'em enough!

Oops sorry, inside voice:p
Click to expand...
Sometimes a little “tough love” is needed. But generally I think we should be welcoming and respectful with our witness. If they start getting obnoxious and whatnot, it’s time to dust off the old sandals. JMHO.
 
I personally feel a deep sympathy as I was among their ranks for several years, after half heartedly drifting away from Christ into Buddhism, Hinduism, New Age, Occult practices, etc. eventually landing in the Richard Dawkins school of atheism.😊 For shame. But, by the grace of God, I’m back home and the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. That said, I truly feel atheism was more destructive to my mental well being than Crowleyan philosophy or even tinkering with LaVey. I was in a pit of despair, all the while putting on the act of the “content” atheist. It’s easy to put on a smile and recite the rhetoric of being “good and happy without God,” but having been part of a group of atheists, I can honestly say that even beneath the most civil facades me or any of my friends could put up, there was a seething bitterness. I try not to judge, but based on my own experience and observation, I have trouble believing even the most kind hearted atheists when they say they’re truly at peace. That said, if someone is being particularly rude, I see nothing wrong with the intellectual jab here or there, to try to shake them from their ivory towerdelusions of superiority. Some people simply don’t respond to kindness at first. Sometimes you have to slap the raging lunatic to bring him to his senses before speaking civilly. So, bashing faulty atheist ideas or hostile attitudes, yes. Assaulting the dignity or self esteem of the person, absolutely not. This applies to both camps, of course.
 
Since when did ‘bashing’ anyone produce a long term positive result ?

As Christians, are we not supposed to be the ones with the vision of Christ as our guide, and in contrast, as atheists clearly represent the spiritually blind - is ‘bashing’ equivalent to making fun of, or attacking, the physically blind ?

if so, are those who do the ‘bashing’ on either side not demonstrating an equivalent blindness ?
 
Pheonix said:
I agree. As Christians, we are called to love and respect everyone, including our enemies (though I’m not trying to say that atheists are our enemies). When one bashes an atheist, he or she is going against that Christian message. I have respect for atheists, as they challenge our thinking in many different ways. Likewise, we challenge the thinking of atheists in a similar manner.

Further, I have a particular respect for atheists who are honestly curious about Christian beliefs, though they still disagree. One particular user on CAF, Sarah (atheistgirl), is very respectful of our beliefs, not to mention highly inquisitive. She disagrees with us, yes, but she asks honest questions to better her understanding; her responses to the given answers are respectful and thought-provoking. To me, it’s far better for an atheist to understand where the Christian position is coming from and respect it, even though he or she may disagree.
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Couldn’t have put it better myself. Many ‘real’ Atheists have just as much disdain for the loud-mouthed ignorant among us, just as I’m sure many Christians cringe when certain types of believers jump in the fray.

Regardless of belief (or lack of it), we should all strive to be better people. Trolling comes about from two sources, regardless of subject:
  • Ignorance: They take jabs because they sincerely don’t know, or their knowledge in the subject matter is insufficient to come to viable answers. This doesn’t matter if it’s cake decorating, engine rebuilding, or religion. All you can do is show them what you know or point them in the direction of a more qualified source, and hopefully they’ll respond correctly. If not, they’ll likely end up falling into category 2’s area.
  • Arrogance: These people are just trying to get a rise. Don’t give them the ammunition, it’s that simple. If they realize they’re getting nowhere, they’ll usually leave. The real special cases get referred to moderators for banishment. Either way they’re gone.
 
TarkanAttila said:
This I agree with. However, even the stupid atheists who use shallow, silly arguments, deserve better, I think, than to be mocked and made the butt of jokes. Stupidity warrants pity more than insults, I would say.
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Just a point of clarification: stupid Atheists aren’t stupid because they’re Atheists, they’re stupid in spite of their Atheism. Same with any other religion or creed.
 
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