As an atheist, I don't go around bashing on others' beliefs - as long as they're respectful to others and don't use their beliefs to police others.

A grandma on her deathbed, trying to find comfort in her faith? Hell, I will sit with her and confirm that she's indeed about to see her dead husband and spend eternity with him. Because at that point, being kind is more important than being right or debating theology.

But, the moment you try to use your beliefs to dictate how others live (beyond basic morality, going beyond the golden rule), out comes the "fuck off with your imaginary sky daddy" argument. You are free to live your life by any doctrine you want, as long as it doesn't affect others negatively. You don't want to eat meat? Sure, go for it. You don't want to eat pork/beef/seafood? It's your body, your choice. You don't want to get an abortion or transition to a different gender or be in a gay relationship? Again, it's up to you. But the very second you try to tell others to live by your rules, you can fuck right off, and then fuck off some more just for good measure.

And it's not like I'm not open to debate. I guess at the end I'm more agnostic rather than atheist, in this aspect. I welcome theological debate. I'll gladly argue about it for hours as long as you're respectful. I've got a bunch of theist friends - Christians, Muslims, Hindu, a variety of pagan/wiccan witches, and so on - with whom we do sit down on occasion with a drink or a joint and debate various aspects of belief, religion (organised or personal), their effects and influences on society and vice versa. It can be a brilliant topic of discussion as long as everyone respects the others and listens to their side. After all, every single person has their own point of view formed by their upbringing, their life experiences, and so on, and these are equally important regardless if you agree with them or not. But it's equally important to understand that these debates aren't meant to convert anyone. They are there to convey a part of you you find important, so others can better understand you. Understanding why one turned away from, or turned to religion, and how that helped them as a person.

To summarise: religion is like a penis. It's okay to have one, it's okay to not have one. It's even okay to be proud of (not) having one. Hell, it's even okay to think yours is better than others'. What's not okay is pulling it out in public and trying to force it down others' throats, or try to legislate in the form of a dick measuring contest.

As an atheist, I never bring up my beliefs unless asked. My religious friends and relatives on social media spout their shit non-stop. If I did 1/10th of that they'd be up in arms.

This post just seems like a straw man to try and keep atheists invisible.

This was me at my step-nephew's funeral after he killed himself.

The whole service they were talking about him being in heaven. According to their own religious text he would go straight to hell. Luckily I was able to keep my mouth shut.

only people i've seen torment the dying at their beside is the christians.

always the same spiel.. repent while you can, save your soul from eternal damnation. if you don't repent you'll spend all eternity in fire and torture, etc etc etc.

religious people are way worse, who cares

This is truly the behavior to expect from theists. You're lying there waiting for death and some wannabe preacher tells you that it's not too late to join their cult

Let's be honest: Going "(Your) God isn't real" when someone tells you a "God bless you" is straight disrespectful. It's their way of wishing you good things.

I have an helenist friend whom I'd reply "Let's hope for it" if they said "hope the Gods are with us on this". Am I a Helenist? No.

I tell my dad a "You too!" when he says "may God protect you on your way!". Am I a Christian? Nope!

But is this their way of wishing someone a good day/good luck? Yes. The intention is what counts, after all.

Yea this totally happens in real life. Deeeeefinitely not a strawman you made up to feel better about yourself.

What is it with people these days that atheism is suddenly considered a bad thing?

Is it better to live with a psychosis, believing that you have a persona relationship with a sky creature that also talks back to you and helps specially you?

And no, most atheists aren't the type of asshole who would start jeering against a grandmother who just wants to be with her dead husband again.

This post is like a litmus test for separating pretentious reddit atheists from people who can actually take a joke, bravo

All I know is i've never had an athiest knock on my door too damned early on a Saturday morning to tell desperatly try to get me to believe in their particular lack of belief.

I hate organized religion with a passion. You bet your ass I was "catholic" when my grandfather passed and I was helping my grandmother with the funeral though. Im an atheist, not an asshole. I'm sure if their imaginary friend actually exists they can forgive me for pretending to believe to console my grieving grandmother

In either case, she’s not going to be disappointed

I just love so much that some atheist(s) on reddit upset the fucking god botherers so much that this has become a drum they beat weekly after decades.

sure bud, try to brand it as 'oh those mean / inconsiderate atheists' - sure thing child rapists, sure.

edit: oh no someone upset the child rapists, gee whiz

I feel like Reddit atheists are far too commonly given the spotlight, and intentionally so by theocratic fascists.

There are countless genuinely terrible things about organized religion and its role and influence in society. This conversation absolutely needs to be had. Nobody serious is going to grieving or dying people to shit on their coping skills using religion.

A real reddit atheist would never be this well dressed. Still, it’s a great pic!

This is me when a mainline christian says there's another angel in heaven. Umm, ackchyually... Angels are non-corporeal creatures, having spirit but not bodies, and humans are corporeal creatures having both spirit and body. A human becoming an angel (a completely different species) is akin to a human becoming a lizard, or vice versa.

Come on, Patrick. Get it together, Patrick!

This is Adam Conover slander.