How do you deal with atheist abuse?

[Russell_SA]

Recently I found myself in an uncomfortable setting (long story). Before long, a theological discussion broke out, and I tried my hardest to remain out of it, but my opinion was offered. Immediately I was confronted by a flurry of atheists and their arguments. Screaming about logic, reason, science, etc.

Normally I am very cool/level headed, but during this moment I got heated by the name calling and it eventually got to a point where I felt I was just ganged up on.

How are we to deal with them? Reason with them? Abandon them? Smack them? What?

Same way you deal with religious people that take that approach. Walk away. You get to control the interaction of random people in your life as much as you want. If you want to learn to fight a battle like that, then you’re wanting that type of response. There are other atheists and theists that do not discuss in that manner, if only just to not be viewed as an “(name removed by moderator)ut three letter expletive”.

 

[Vonsalza]

Suppose that they are relatively obtuse (for the sake of argument, and on average). I think I could still argue persuasively that it is better for them, and not just for the culture at large, if they are confronted with thoughtful arguments. It is better for helping them exercise their intellects, it is better for helping them mature into the full stature of adulthood, it is better for cultivating friendships, and it is better for helping them keep their minds and hearts open in the long run. Arguments do not have to convince people overnight to be successful or worthwhile.

True. Best you can do is introduce the rhetoric. If for nothing else than pride, people rarely ever convert before the very eyes of the person trying to convince them during the heat of exchange. It’s when they go home, kick off their shoes and pull your argument out of their “pocket” for further poking and prodding that they may actually consider what you’ve communicated.