# A public service announcement for my fellow non-believers **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 22, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697 "2009-10-22T02:47:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/1 "2009-10-22T02:47:15Z")
Not all Christians are stupid. It is arguable that most of them are, but that is only because they are drawn from a population (i.e., the human race) whose members are mostly stupid. In a like manner, not all Christians are evil, selfish, racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise silly. If y’all could bear that in mind, it’d be great. ---
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/2 "2009-10-22T03:13:59Z")
I certainly agree. For one, the Catholic Church has the Jesuit tradition of education, which is quite rigorous. Of course, the Catholicism has made some monumental blunders in its history (the Inquisition and the nasty business with Galileo), but on the whole it seems to value intellectualism. I used to be a Methodist, and one of that denomination’s traditions is the Wesleyan Quadrilateral–Reason, Experience, Faith, and something else, if I’m not mistaken. So, I agree. It’s fundamentalist Christianity that is doing the most damage nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/3 "2009-10-22T07:54:36Z")
I agree. It’s easy to make fun of the religious because the stupid and intolerant among them also happen to be the loudest and most prominent. I work for some Christians who are the among nicest, most accepting people I know. They accept the theory of evolution as fact and they do not demonize gays or non-believers. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/4 "2009-10-22T09:02:46Z")
I endorse the OP, though my endorsement is nothing but two cent worth. ---
**Author:** ![Fetchund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b2d939/32.png) [@Fetchund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fetchund)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/5 "2009-10-22T11:49:41Z")
Yup - at this point I usually say “Well, hey - some of my best friends are Christian!” 🙂 A corrollary: Not all unbelievers are so because of some horrible experience with Christianity. Twice lately I have been told “You aren’t _really_ an atheist - you just hate the Catholic Church” This from folks who do not know me at all. I don’t hate any church (well, maybe Phelpsland) and all they knew was that I grew up Catholic and am now atheist. I’m very fond of my upbringing, all in all, and I tell folks the church and its education system did a fantastic job, and I am grateful. So add me to the list. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/6 "2009-10-22T12:25:27Z")
From a Christian, I definitely approve of this! Like most relligions, atheism/non-theism seems to suffer from bad press from the less tolerant of the bunch. Unfortunately, this just feeds the fire because that leads to us hearing about the less tolerant, making us spew hatred towards them, and the cycle goes on. I love talking religion with people who keep open minds and realize that there are other open-minded people in the other camp as well. But, isn’t that what us Dopers are all about? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/7 "2009-10-22T12:56:44Z")
I think the root problem with theists and non-theists alike are those who are so confident of their beliefs that they feel absolutely comfortable pushing them on other people. People who’ve exchanged faith for a kind of blind certitude. Once you’re absolutely certain that you’re right and everyone who disagrees with you is wrong, it’s hard NOT to be an asshole about it. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/8 "2009-10-22T13:38:29Z")
Speaking personally, I am grateful for these sentiments. The loud intolerance of my beliefs by some quarters here is one of the only things I have had a consistent problem with in all my years here at the Dope. Thank you **Skald** , and everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/9 "2009-10-22T13:57:31Z")
Smart, tolerant, and kind Christians are generally the ones that I tend to meet in my day to day life. Dumb, bigoted, and assholish Christians are the ones that tend to make the headlines. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/10 "2009-10-22T14:00:15Z")
Although I’m an atheist, I’d just like to say that some of my best friends are Christians. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/11 "2009-10-22T14:14:14Z")
I’m an atheist, and I approve of this message. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/12 "2009-10-22T14:39:48Z")
I’m an atheist, and approve this message also, with a caveat. I have had enough bad experiences with theists concerning my atheism, Christian, Muslim, and Wiccan, that for the sake of self defense an unknown party is assumed to be any or all of those attributes until proven otherwise. For this reason I will generally withhold the fact that I am an atheist from public knowledge until such time that I can be certain a party is not any or all of these attributes. This helps prevent awkward, embarrassing and potentially harmful situations. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/13 "2009-10-22T15:15:08Z")
Nice thought, **Sklad**. I’m a Christian and I dislike the acts of many other Christians and think their “beliefs” are whacko. Most of my friends are atheists or agnostics and I’ve never ever tried to convert them. They’ve never tried to convert me. I don’t know how they came to hold the beliefs they hold and I don’t care. I don’t eschew science, I don’t believe in Jesus Horses, I try not to judge others, and I keep my relationship with God to myself. I find there’s just as many loud-mouthed, irrational atheists as there are loud-mouthed irrational Christians. It’s all the rest of us who are getting along in perfect harmony. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/14 "2009-10-22T15:55:25Z")
there are people who don’t have the skills or desire to reason philosophically. there are also people who like to feel secure in their position (maybe big ego, maybe little ego type of thing). these factors can prompt people to tend to extremes in philosophy and politics where if given the time and ability for rational thought you might find flawed. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/15 "2009-10-22T16:14:05Z")
as mentioned there is a difference in religious denominations. some can be much more take the whole dogma or none, while these denominations might have positions you might disagree with on some positions, the people may seemed more balanced to those who are nonreligious. denominations that are ‘pick and choose’ or one issue denominations might be more likely to produce extremists. also some denominations believe more in daily conduct being a part of being religious and since this behavior can be integrated more in to a person’s life they can be more balanced. denominations that feel that your faith at the last instant of life is all that counts might cause people to not be as careful about how their life actions affect their religious being. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/16 "2009-10-22T16:26:56Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Although I’m an atheist, I’d just like to say that some of my best friends are Christians. My _father_ is a Christian! ---
**Author:** ![Textual\_Intercourse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Textual\_Intercourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Intercourse)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/17 "2009-10-22T16:42:24Z")
Stupidity is more a product of the human condition than a symptom of religious belief. That being said, the OP’s comment is refreshing and can be applied across the board. I neither believe nor disbelieve (I suppose this technically makes me an agnostic though I dislike the label for various reasons) and as such, engage both believers and non-believers in conversation whenever possible in an effort to alleviate my ignorance on the matter. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/18 "2009-10-22T16:53:10Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#): > > My _father_ is a Christian! Can you see your house from there? ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/19 "2009-10-22T17:05:34Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Not all Christians are stupid. It is arguable that most of them are, but that is only because they are drawn from a population (i.e., the human race) whose members are mostly stupid. All members of the human race are mostly stupid? I disagree. I’m not sure how you define “stupid” exactly, but I will agree that about half are below average. > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > In a like manner, not all Christians are evil, selfish, racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise silly. > If y’all could bear that in mind, it’d be great. And may I add that not all Christians are Republicans? Really. And thanks, **Skald** , for reminding us that we are \*all \*members of the same human race. Probably. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697/20 "2009-10-22T17:05:47Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Not all Christians are stupid. It is arguable that most of them are, but that is only because they are drawn from a population (i.e., the human race) whose members are mostly stupid. > > In a like manner, not all Christians are evil, selfish, racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise silly. > > If y’all could bear that in mind, it’d be great. Well if anyone thinks those things then they belong in the ‘stupid’ category. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-public-service-announcement-for-my-fellow-non-believers/514697.md?page=2)