Anger

[Christa]

We all feel it from time to time, that anger at how stupid these religious people are. They do look stupid, don't they? They act stupid, they say stupid things, they don't seem to think much at all and they certainly don't even begin to question their little convictions.

Man, I used to be in a constant state of outrage over these morons. Jesus this, god that, sin, sin, SIN!!! Alah be praised, reincarnation, hare krishna, all that flapdoodle that so many people have taken to define their lives just so they never have to think.

I was briefly a member of another athiest website and it was most unpleasant. What I saw was people posting raging profanity, mindless raging anger expressed in barely coherent statements. "This," I thought, "is how atheists choose to represent themselves?"

I really think that atheists need to choose their battles wisely. When I see that a guy wants to sue the town council for having a nativity scene in the town square during the christmas season I get a little annoyed. What good is that going to do except to make people think that atheists are a bunch of cranky nuts?

Being angry at all the crap that religion, any religion, has promulgated and enforced is futile. Worse, it makes atheists appear to be radical activists bent on destroying the fabric of society, whatever that means.

Reason and the respect for all humanity is our greatest "weapon." A frowning, bitter old intellectual in a tweed jacket denouncing religion and calling into question the intelligence of its adherents just isn't going to do it. But if people could see the joy and wonder that is the result of the freedom from a mindless belief in the supernatural, the freedom to be truly human and decide for one's self, then we just might have a chance of putting the thin end of the wedge into this world and its way of viewing humanity and the universe.
But anger is just not the way to go about it.

From here:

http://atheisttoolbox.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10884

[Goblinmonger]

1. So we should just sit back and take it?

Interesting take.

Why argue that something is a violation of the first amendment? That seems silly, doesn't it. Who cares of theocracy creeps back into our government? Nothing bad came from other theocracies, right?

How about if the religious people just realize that they don't get to have the cornerstone on the public square? That just because I don't want the government to allow Christian symbolism in city hall to the exclusion of all other views doesn't mean I want all Christians to die a horrible death or that they can't put that same display up on their front lawn? Why can't THEY get over it? Why is all the onus put on the atheists?

Oh, hell, I can only imagine where this thread is going to head. I wonder if my new-found "agnostic" friend is going to show up?

[dmallind]

2. When you are the most despised minority in the nation it tends to make you touchy

When atheists get respect they may just give it back. And whoever won any political ground against a much larger and more entrenched bloc by being quiet and respectful? I am glad atheists are finally being willing to speak up and demand to be heard. Some do it in ways that are uncouth sure - but not all and there is a place for shock and confrontation here.

[Jokerman]

3. Anger can be a great motivator.

(Copy of my reply to the same OP in A&A.)

I'll agree that displays of anger are often misplaced and counter productive but if anger is what it takes to get some people off their asses and working for change, then it may be time to piss more people off.

The election of 2008 was a prime example of anger turned toward a positive goal. Huge numbers of people who had never had any interest in politics got so angy at GWB and the republicans that they banded together and threw the bums out.

"When I see that a guy wants to sue the town council for having a nativity scene in the town square during the christmas season I get a little annoyed"

When I see ANY property or institution that is built and maintained by my tax money being used to support a religious cause I get way more than "a little annoyed", I get angry. I don't express my anger by screaming, shaking my fist or attacking religious people, I put my anger to work. If the only way to ensure my rights is to sue, then I hope to get an attorney on my side who also gets angry when confronted with injustice.

I've never been angered by "how stupid religious people are", in fact that kind of anger seems a bit pathological. I save my anger for any person, religious or not, who refuses to respect my rights.

[Wednesdays]

4. K&R

:kick:

[uberllama42]

5. Anger

He smiles, towering in shiny metallic purple armor
Queen jealousy, envy waits behind him
Her fiery green gown sneers at the grassy ground

Blue are the life-giving waters taken for granted,
They quietly understand
Once happy turquoise armies lay opposite ready,
But wonder why the fight is on

But they’re all, they're bold as love,
Yeah, they’re all, they're bold as love, love, love
they’re all, they're bold as love
Just ask the axis

My red is so confident that he flashes trophies of war,
and ribbons of euphoria
Orange is young, full of daring,
But very unsteady for the first go 'round
My yellow in this case is not so mellow
In fact I’m trying to say it’s frightened like me
And all these emotions of mine keep holding me from,
Giving my life to a rainbow like you

[pokerfan]

6. I subscribe to a couple of atheist blogs

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula
http://richarddawkins.net
http://friendlyatheist.com

No anger required or needed.