I have nothing against people who don't believe in spirituality, but people who proselytize non-

[highplainsdem]

171. That old classic doesn't apply to my OP, since I made it very clear I wasn't

talking about atheists in general, but a type of strident proselytizing that is as tiring as the proselytizing of evangelicals.

And it's a type of proselytizing that makes discussion all but impossible when it starts with condescension and the assumption that anyone who doesn't agree with you is stupid, or at the least "illogical."

I know that because I went through an agnostic/atheist phase after leaving the church my family belonged to, and during that phase I could be condescending and smug toward people with religious views.

I was very self-righteous about being that way, because, after all, I was just being logical.

And since I knew better than anyone who mistakenly believed in a god or higher power, it was therefore my responsibility to enlighten them about their poor illogical ignorance.

Especially since I was still reacting to having been raised in a faith I had turned away from, and it bolstered my self-confidence to preach atheism to others.

It took me a while to realize how off-putting that attitude was, and how silly I looked being condescending toward people who were just as bright as I was, and in many cases brighter.

Btw, I'm aware that there's plenty of debate among atheists about positive versus negative/soft atheism, and whether pushing atheist beliefs is a good way to convince someone else of those beliefs.

I'm also aware that many atheists feel defensive in a world where they're usually outnumbered by those with some religious belief.

But that still doesn't make condescending arguments that people with religious beliefs are stupid or at least illogical any less likely to backfire, unless you're preaching to an atheist choir.

This is the Religion forum, and at times it looks like a Bashing Religion forum, or an Atheism forum.

If you feel you HAVE to put down anyone who doesn't share your beliefs as stupid or illogical, go right ahead.

But it's probably not having the effect you want on anyone not already 100% in agreement with you and similarly self-righteous.