Stereotypes are dangerous. (Ever dropped a Panasonic on your toe?)
There's no way I agree with either side of this atheist verses christian argument. Besides, you can only present examples of extreme behavior through those who perform them.
There are definitely more balanced atheists and christians in the world than we are giving credit to here on this board. You'll have to admit that the ilk who use this board are probably more extreme in opinion than the bulk of either "faith" who are just quietly going about their lives.
I say it doesn't matter what you believe and that you WILL believe in what makes sense to you, regardless of "proof" or history or anything else outside of your own consciuosness. Now, I call that spirituality, but it's all in our mind. It doesn't really matter if there is a "purpose" or "creator" since we all make our own purpose and our own creator. We are all living out our own fantasy, if you will. We call it life. Whatever "purpose" there may be is irrelevant to our own personal course in life.
I definitely don't think christians suck. I also don't think atheists suck. I like the bumper sticker that says "Mean People Suck". I think our beliefs should change as we change. As we grow and learn we should adjust our beliefs. For some, that may mean going back and forth between belief in a God and a lack thereof. But whatever we do, we should not be mean to anyone. Just be good.
Nowatess, your preaching in this forum is wasted. Whatever you feel compelled to do for the lord by way of spreading the gospel do it elsewhere. You should have picked up on the dislike in us XJW's for anyone trying to convert us covertly. Participate in discussion but do not try to convert. You remind me of the boy/girl who is told to go away by their intended lover but does not stop trying to court their prey. After a while we get to thinking of you as a stalker.
Rex, it is always a touchy thing to comment on ones superiority over another. But that does not make it any less true that some people are superior in habits and understanding to others. Those of us who have broken free from the mind-controlling cults do have a claim to a superior understanding of how mind-control cults work. When we see others, with less experience and understanding, with weaker minds, being led along by yet another cult it is difficult to express our distaste without sounding superior. In fact, the superior knowledge of others who had broken free is what enabled me to eventually do the same. Just because your Protestant church does not use a heavy hand similar to the WTS does not exempt it from same mind-control tactics common to all salvation faiths. You are welcome to stay in your church and do your thing but don't get offended if you're treated like an ignorant sycophant from time to time by those of us who have left the churches behind. We mean you no more harm than you mean us when you attempt to save us from hell.
Sean