You claim that it is wrong to be an atheist. But maybe you should consider being an atheist, because I don't think all of your god stuff has helped you to become a better speller, for example. Do not disparage atheists, because if you are without sin then you should not throw a first stone.
Yes, they're annoying for the same reason extreme Christians are. If you're secure in your beliefs, there's no need to go overboard to get your point across.
A fanatic is simply someone who believes in something more than you do, right? I don't care for fanatics on either end of the spectrum. I will say however, that simply stating you are an atheist brings out the insults from the hardcore bible-thumps. Likewise, simply stating you are an evangelical Christian brings out the atheists who will say you must be insane.
I have to admit, insulting believers is kind of fun because they get so mad so very quickly. If they were more secure in their faith they might be more calm. You know, like Jesus.
I have yet to see a "fanatical" atheist. If you're speaking of the outspoken atheists that frequent the board, I totally support them. The legions of non-thought are loud, vocal, and actively trying to convert people through guile, guilt, and failing that, guns. Why shouldn't those who support reason over religion be at least as vocal as the TruBelievers<TM>?
We need more "evangelical atheists." People working hard to free this country from the grip of the socially acceptable delusion that is Jesus and his pop. Athiests have a rough time of it, many suffer in silence. Seeing others that share their rationality speaking out helps them to understand that they are not alone, although sometimes it might feel like that.
Athiests don't need to be fanatical, they know they're right. Fanaticism rises in those who know they're wrong but have to be right at all costs, regardless.
Doh. Hope I didn't sound like a fanatic there... :P
*looks around and slowly raises her hand expecting rotten tomatoes thrown at her*
Yes, as a spiritual atheist, I am mortified by those fanatical atheists who seem not to be compassionate towards others of religious faiths, but I cannot tell them NOT to do this or NOT to say that. I just hope the religious folks KNOW that there are rotten tomatoes in every group.
EDIT: I agree with another who said fanatical _anything_ is embarrassing. Kudos to that!
I'm not atheist, but I'm sure there are factions of every belief that goes too far and alienates them from their own belief system, just like Christian Groups, Muslim Groups, Mormans and Atheists just to name a few. Every group will have a faction that pushes too far.
I believe that most of the posters to whom you refer are actually just kids experimenting with atheism because they know it will anger or shock their parents.
I'm not so much embarrassed as I am dismayed by the idea that they might have found the right answers to the questions, but reached them without due thought.
These are also the kind of people who wake up drunk in the gutter, find Jesus, and try to inspire others with their "tales of the dark-side."
Not actually atheists or freethinkers, just fans of bad music who hate having a curfew.
Are there any other atheists out there who find the fanatical atheists embarrassing?
