Flying Hiigh,
Well stated. I have made multiple comments about atheists staying out of clearly theist discussions and vice versa, unless there is a rational, meaningful argument to be made. Theists have a very narrow range of 'rational' and 'meaningful' arguments, such as AB and ID. Otherwise, they are defaulting to their beliefs, which are screen clutter and background noise at best (to be ignored) and deserving of ridicule at worst. I will plead guilty to being a smart ass and using sarcasm. It is my style and I will give it up when Rev. Tammy and the Thundercats (sarcasm alert) stop the nonsensical comments you refer to below. Repeating mantras, as if repetition makes the argument any more sound, or referring to the bible as the authority (I mean REALLY) is so effing annoying on this forum when the topic is science, the age of the universe, the fossil record, sub-atomic particles, the Big Bang Theory (the theory not the TV show, which rocks), etc. Simon referred to this a few days ago. I rarely post and do not, as I stated, enter theist discussions (they make me want to hurl), but when I read or participate in very good non-theological discussions that become contaminated by the theists with their mantras, I respond with sarcasm. I try not to, really I do. But I seem to have a need to do so. Again, well stated.
What is war, is the boasting, the nastiness, the name calling, the exchanges of mile long, bulleted tit for tat back and forths, from either side. It's childish. It adds nothing to the forum. Need every expression of belief or of non belief in any kind of topic or thread be met with nastiness from either or both factions? Example, on a thread discussing Evolution or the Big Bang, need fundamentalists pop up to argue whether God exists or not? Need they pop up to try to save everyone who does not hold their same views or beliefs? Second example: on a thread discussing the beauty and varities of trees, need every comment about Evolution or the wonders and genius of God be met with nastiness and name calling from anyone?
To me, to suggest that someone is not saved because of their disbelief, different belief, or condemned to hell for same reason, is unwise, ineffective and insulting. Equally ineffective, hurtful and insulting is to tell call someone's god The Flying Spaghetti Monster or to tell the person he or she is delusional and listening to voices in their heads that don't exist. Name calling doesn't help, nor does it convince the person that you are addressing, of your viewpoint. Name calling just makes the person the butt of your jokes and an object of laughter to you and others. Name calling can bring deep hurt and rifts that, otherwise, are so easily avoided.
The truth is, theists can't prove atheists wrong. Atheists cannot prove theists or diests wrong either. The battles might be deafened to a tiny roar if people would agree to disagree, in a respectful way.
