Because I see too many believers staying quiet about it rather than speaking up against their fundamentalist counterparts. I don't see a lot of moderate or liberal Christians telling their conservative brothers to sit down and shut up, especially not the way the conservatives are scolding the moderates and liberals.
This doesn't mean that I'm not willing to make common cause with the moderates and liberals. It means I'm willing to do it without them.
I don't attack religious beliefs because I hate the religious. I don't challenge religious claims out of malice or revenge. I call attention to their bad behavior because they're being bad and we need as many people stepping forward to challenge them as possible. I see more atheists willing to stand up than I do believers. I will keep doing it until my participation is no longer necessary.
I'm glad you're having a better experience, but I don't think it's safe to say that your experience is representative.
Because I see too many believers staying quiet about it rather than speaking up against their fundamentalist counterparts. I don't see a lot of moderate or liberal Christians telling their conservative brothers to sit down and shut up, especially not the way the conservatives are scolding the moderates and liberals.
This doesn't mean that I'm not willing to make common cause with the moderates and liberals. It means I'm willing to do it without them.
I don't attack religious beliefs because I hate the religious. I don't challenge religious claims out of malice or revenge. I call attention to their bad behavior because they're being bad and we need as many people stepping forward to challenge them as possible. I see more atheists willing to stand up than I do believers. I will keep doing it until my participation is no longer necessary.
I'm glad you're having a better experience, but I don't think it's safe to say that your experience is representative.