• ttubravesrock
    +7

    IMO, this article was much better than the "angry atheist" article you posted a couple days ago. The author is clearly frustrated, just as the author of the angry article was. However However, he chose to articulate his frustrations rather than complain/whine.

    I'm not atheist or religious, so I see myself as the Switzerland between France and Germany. Militant atheists are just as bad as militant christians (FYI, an interesting 'discrimination' appeared just now when spell check told me to capitalize christians but not atheists) and just because one side has been dominant for so long does not make it acceptable for the other side to act the same.

    as far as his arguments regarding how unfairly atheists can be treated, I agree. However, he's not near the top of my sympathetic totem pole. As a country we are becoming more and more socially progressive, though we still have lots of faults that need to be dealt with. I think that this country's progressive sympathies need to focus on one or two perceived injustices at a time. The overwhelming 'fix everything at once' mentality needs to realize that by using that method, social justice in ALL categories is likely to hit a brick wall.

    this is just my opinion, and I know it's not fair, but when it comes to social justice, who deserves more of the outrage/attention directed at helping the cause? Gays, blacks, trans, atheists, women, muslims, the poor, hispanics, seniors, midgets, employees, baristas, children, etc? It's getting to the point where if I, as a straight, white, cis-male between 18-45with an income above the poverty line don't feel guilty about all of the above, I'm the bad guy.

    • spaceghoti
      +7

      this is just my opinion, and I know it's not fair, but when it comes to social justice, who deserves more of the outrage/attention directed at helping the cause? Gays, blacks, trans, atheists, women, muslims, the poor, hispanics, seniors, midgets, employees, baristas, children, etc? It's getting to the point where if I, as a straight, white, cis-male between 18-45with an income above the poverty line don't feel guilty about all of the above, I'm the bad guy.

      It's not about whether or not you feel guilty. I'm a straight, white male between 18-45 with an income above the poverty line and I don't feel guilty about all of the above. I just don't pretend that the problem doesn't exist.

      If you don't want to get involved and be part of the solution, that's okay. We all have the freedom to choose where we direct our energies. All I ask is that you not get in the way of solving these problems or try to shut down discussion of how to solve them.

      • ttubravesrock
        +5

        We all have the freedom to choose where we direct our energies.

        That's a great statement. Based on my comment, I acknowledge that all of those issues are injustices, but I don't know if any deserve my energy more than another. Personally, my pet issues are sustainable living, space exploration, military spending (needs to go way down), and science/education funding (needs to go way up).

        However, I acknowledge that there is an issue. That's why I made a comment on your snap. I don't think I'm getting in the way of solving these problems by trying to promote discussion. If I am, let me know. I'm not a Christian, but I do like to live by the Golden Rule. Not the golden rule about three ways, but the one that says treat others how you want to be treated. In that way, I like to think that I'm setting an example.

        Between promoting discussion and setting an example, I feel like I'm doing my part to be part of the solution. Like you say, other people may direct more energy towards this particular issue, but that doesn't mean I'm in the wrong.

        • spaceghoti
          +6

          A lot of people who criticize social justice issues like that do try to get in the way. They try to shut down discussion, ridicule the people getting involved and so forth. So no, I have no problem with you addressing the problems you feel qualified to address as long as you continue to show the same courtesy to those who are working toward the problems they feel motivated to address. There's room for all of us.

          • ttubravesrock
            +5

            I understand why people would get defensive, but with me there's no need. I try to make it a practice to not make personal attacks or inflammatory statements. Of course, I may slip sometimes, but just know that my intention is to always be civil.

            • flowerpunk
              +4

              OK you two, you're being too civilised ! just kidding.. it's nice to see <3

              but when it comes to social justice, who deserves more of the outrage/attention directed at helping the cause? Gays, blacks, trans, atheists, women, muslims, the poor, hispanics, seniors, midgets, employees, baristas, children, etc?

              Indeed, some problems are larger than others - but larger problems don't negate smaller ones (Fallacy of relative privation, etc).

              Militant atheists are just as bad as militant christians

              I get what you're saying but I think I'll have to disagree here. Perhaps depends what you mean by militant ?

              The bitter, hateful attitude some have is definitely there, at least in written format online and in books, but I know of no people committing atrocities in the name of atheism.

            • ttubravesrock
              +4
              @flowerpunk -

              I guess I'm not using militant in the military sense. If I rephrased it to Gnostic Christians are just as bad as Gnostic Atheists I suppose that would make more sense.