I agree that this meme is not the right message or the best format. But I’m also not sure we shouldn’t be speaking out more. Christians will claim to be persecuted whether or not atheists challenge them. Christians will think all atheists are like OP regardless of whether or not atheists challenge them. We should speak up more frequently, more honestly, and with less deference to the idea that a belief is valid just because it would piss off a lot of believers if it wasn’t.
To share your beliefs is to invite critical evaluation of those beliefs. Anything less is a courtesy not extended by the person sharing their beliefs.
I don’t think anyone is suggesting that we do any of those things. You can speak up more frequently, more honestly, and with less deference to the idea without calling someone’s beliefs “bullshit” and being condescending. The only strategy that works is meeting them where they’re at and treating it seriously. That can be hard when conversations can devolve so quickly but you have to remember that you’re questioning someone’s entire worldview. I’m not sure if you started as an atheist or became one later but, if the it’s the latter, try to remember what it was like when you were realizing that the way you viewed the entire world didn’t make sense.
That last line you wrote is great except in a community where there was nothing shared to initiate the OP.
I agree that this meme is not the right message or the best format. But I’m also not sure we shouldn’t be speaking out more. Christians will claim to be persecuted whether or not atheists challenge them. Christians will think all atheists are like OP regardless of whether or not atheists challenge them. We should speak up more frequently, more honestly, and with less deference to the idea that a belief is valid just because it would piss off a lot of believers if it wasn’t.
To share your beliefs is to invite critical evaluation of those beliefs. Anything less is a courtesy not extended by the person sharing their beliefs.
I don’t think anyone is suggesting that we do any of those things. You can speak up more frequently, more honestly, and with less deference to the idea without calling someone’s beliefs “bullshit” and being condescending. The only strategy that works is meeting them where they’re at and treating it seriously. That can be hard when conversations can devolve so quickly but you have to remember that you’re questioning someone’s entire worldview. I’m not sure if you started as an atheist or became one later but, if the it’s the latter, try to remember what it was like when you were realizing that the way you viewed the entire world didn’t make sense.
That last line you wrote is great except in a community where there was nothing shared to initiate the OP.