(no subject)

[violachic]

I want to share this AlterNet article about how religious folks can be good allies to athiests. I think it is a great article, and well worth reading.

Comments

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

Eh, I don't like the "you have to put up with us even when we're intolerant assholes" vein running through it.

(And I am married to one. And if he ever talked to me like the article did, or many other atheists have spoken to me, he'd be out a wife and family right now.)

Some good points, but a lot of attitude in it. I give people respect anyways, but it's not a very respectful piece. I've seen worse, of course.

[ironheadjane.livejournal.com]

I had a long response, but I'll put it simply:

"you have to put up with us even when we're intolerant assholes."

You mean, how atheists have to put up with the proselytizing of individuals from streetcorners to public squares, political arenas, TV - especially during the Christmas holiday season?

Many atheists see the vocal believes as nothing BUT intolerant assholes - and I think this article tries to, and does quite moderately and reasonably, lay out how atheists are marginalized, and need allies, and how our wish for discussion about OUR beliefs (or lack thereof) in the open marketplace, should be considered just as valid (and those who do the same vocally on the religious side) just as offensive.

It's really just that standard of wanting equal treatment. Religious folks are not a minority, but if you hear them squealing on TV about when their xmas trees are joined by an atheist statement on a state capitol, you'd think that THEY are the minority.