I think there are just as many arrogant and intolerant atheists out there as there are theists with the same flaws. It's just human nature sometimes and I think all kinds of people can be guilty of it. I see both sides being prejudiced and judgmental at times, but I would not want to let a few bad apples speak for the rest of the bunch.
A rude, intolerant or condescending person is going to get on my nerves no matter what their religious beliefs may or may not be. I have to do my best not to judge people, or groups of people, based on the actions and attitude of any one person. It's also important for us all to hold to whatever beliefs we value without being lulled into a sense of elitism or superiority. That goes for religious people and non-religious people alike.
Exactly so and well said! I think a lot of atheists (and Jews and Unitarians and secularists) feel threatened by the seemingly unfettered encroaching attitude of the Evangelicals -- Christians, Scientologists, Mormons... -- as well as the recent proliferation of true believers in politics who let their fundamentalist views dictate policy. So it's easy to view all Christians, Scientologists, Mormons... as sharing the views of the more outspoken members of their churches. (Just because Jerry Falwell blamed feminists, the gays and the lesbians, and all secularists for 911 [or that Pat Robertson blamed Katrina on Ellen Degeneres hosting the Emmys!?!?], it doesn't follow that all viewers of the 700 Show feel that way, but it is inflammatory and it does seem to go unchecked.) So if atheists or other secularists push back and seem a bit gruff while doing so, please understand that there's no need to feel threatened. I doubt you'll ever see a pair of nicely dressed atheists interrupt your dinner with vague or quite descriptive language threatening you to change what you're doing or else you'll really regret it.
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poor old cruise has completely lost the plot!
