Oddbean

I want to address something I've been thinking about recently. As far as Religion, Afterlife, ect, I'm solidly in the "I don't know" camp, and I'm fine with that. I think any Religion, Religious Institution, or Religious Leader who has used spiritual beliefs to oppress, control, manipulate, or financially gain from other people should be both questioned and mocked, and I have no problem doing it, or with other people doing it. The issue I run into on Mastodon is Aggressive Atheism. I have no issue with atheism at all, but I do have a problem if it's used to attack other people for their personal spiritual beliefs. If someone is making a comment about something they believe personally, and they aren't hurting anyone with it, jumping into the comments to say "PROVE GOD IS REAL" is just as annoying and pointless as a couple Religious people knocking on your door, and telling you, you must accept their Lord. This is simply a matter of respecting other people.

@3fe52772 anyone that uses their beliefs to suppress anyone, deserves my scorn, and derision. Now, mostly it it "people of faith" that do this, but we (atheist's) have to watch our attitude as well. I'm all for do what you like, just dont ask me to applaud you for it, and don't ask for other people's money to support your habit. Thats just WTF?

@3fe52772 One of my favourite teachings on this was a Rabbi on the intrinsic goodness of the atheist. I'm paraphrasing a longish teaching here, but that the religious does what they do for fear of loss of favour, or doctrine, or desire to please the divine. The atheist does good simply because it is the right thing to do.