# Intolerant Athiests **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 11, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172 "2012-01-11T16:04:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/1 "2012-01-11T16:04:01Z")
I’m an agnostic with no dog in the fight, but it’s glaringly apparent the level of intolerance and hate towards Christians. It’s brought fresh to mind every couple of weeks when I see stories like [this article on Tebow](http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/01/10/atheist-group-believes-tebow-full-of-crap-with-public-display-of-christianity/#comments) which quotes an atheist saying Tebow’s actions are “dividing his fan-base”? Really? Wouldnt it be atheists who have perverted “separation of church and state” to mean anything they dont like hearing or looking at? Tebow is not hurting anyone, and even if you think his behavior is silly, so what? You might be able to argue you’re not paying to see him pray, but again so what? A few seconds of getting down on a knee invokes what type of imagery or thoughts they find so offensive? The intolerance towards Tebow doesnt impact anyone’s life per se, but it does typify the mindset of a minority of haters who have for the past two decades infected public policies with warped views. Again, no dog in the fight personally but have never seen a problem with anyone showing signs of their faith. That goes for any faith, not just Christians however Jesus does seem to be the main target among shall I say - the ever-inclusive, fair, understanding, progressives. As someone who leans more towards science rather than spirituality, I enjoy seeing someone happy and believing in their God. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/2 "2012-01-11T16:08:20Z")
I have to admit that I have no patience for religious extremists, and hate bound screaming atheists are just as bad in my eyes as “convert or die” Muslim extremists. Spare me the “I don’t have a religion” lie. You do, and you’re just as militant and intolerant as the people you decry. Shut the fuck up already, get some therapy for all the anger issues and stop pushing it on everyone else because they don’t believe what you believe. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/3 "2012-01-11T16:09:06Z")
Are the fans saying he shouldn’t be allowed to do that? Or that they just dislike it? If all they’re saying is they don’t like it, then it’s on par with the phony “wars” on school prayer and Christmas in that Christians are upset that they aren’t allowed to institute mandatory prayer and religious displays, and are calling the pushback against that “intolerance”. ETA: call me back when they say that Tebow shouldn’t be considered a U.S. citizen, or that he is less trusted than a terrorist. That’s intolerance. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/4 "2012-01-11T16:09:28Z")
The vast, vast majority of atheists have no problem with anyone who believes in a deity. Some have problems when theists want to force their religion into other people’s lives, or proselytize vigorously. Personally I could not give two hoots if some football player wants to tattoo his face with religious phrases, or pray every time he’s on the field. Others may feel that one’s religion should be practiced more privately, or in the presence of those of similar believe systems. I figure -“meh”. I have to say though - if you think someone on the internet typing "Tebow’s actions are “dividing his fan-base” is your best example of intolerance, that’s pretty weak tea. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/5 "2012-01-11T16:09:43Z")
I fail to see how observing that Tebow is engaging in some pretty blatant public showmanship with his faith equates to “intolerance and hate,” even if the observation comes from some sourpuss atheist group. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/6 "2012-01-11T16:13:40Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Spare me the “I don’t have a religion” lie. You do, and you’re just as militant and intolerant as the people you decry. Shut the fuck up already, get some therapy for all the anger issues and stop pushing it on everyone else because they don’t believe what you believe. When religion stops harming literally billions of people I’ll stop being angry at it. There’s nothing wrong with being militantly against the spread of harmful, dangerous lies. And no, it’s not a religion as I don’t believe, worship, or follow anything due to atheism - completely the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/7 "2012-01-11T16:15:31Z")
Some specific examples would help the OP. As it is, it’s just a rant against some hypothetical people. We had a long thread in GD on this, and there certainly were a lot of “douchebag” comments thrown around. That’s a lot more than just claiming he’s engaged in “showmanship”. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/8 "2012-01-11T16:15:50Z")
Remember, we atheists are intolerant by simply criticizing. Militant too! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/9 "2012-01-11T16:15:58Z")
Mr. Trebows religious convictions are no concern of mine, any more than the fact that the GB Packers are the first totally gay football team. I mean, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/10 "2012-01-11T16:24:58Z")
> [@IntelliQ](#): > > Really? Wouldnt it be atheists who have perverted “separation of church and state” to mean anything they dont like hearing or looking at? Bullshit. Other than that, yawn. Seriously, there are like 23 Tebow threads, I don’t believe for a moment that you have no dog in this fight, and it’d be awesome if you would maybe consider not boring us all to death. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/11 "2012-01-11T16:25:37Z")
I’m sure that a player who pointed out that there was no God every time he scored a touchdown would go over very well ---
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/12 "2012-01-11T16:30:59Z")
When did having an opinion become intolerance?? ---
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/13 "2012-01-11T16:32:56Z")
Seriously, I dont believe in Jesus or God (and to be fair, science has it’s own trinity of sorts that isnt provable, hmm I’ll probably posit it in another thread for some of the experts in that field) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/14 "2012-01-11T16:35:41Z")
> [@IntelliQ](#): > > science has it’s own trinity of sorts that isnt provable Shit like this is more annoying than anything Tim Tebow does. What the fuck are you talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/15 "2012-01-11T16:36:05Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I have to admit that I have no patience for religious extremists, and hate bound screaming atheists are just as bad in my eyes as “convert or die” Muslim extremists. > > Spare me the “I don’t have a religion” lie. You do, and you’re just as militant and intolerant as the people you decry. Shut the fuck up already, get some therapy for all the anger issues and stop pushing it on everyone else because they don’t believe what you believe. Mental note: Chimera is not a smart person. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/16 "2012-01-11T16:37:39Z")
This reminds me so much of those who say that they don’t mind homosexuals, but they hate the militant ones that shove it in their face every day by talking about their partners, holding their partner’s hand, and actually kissing their partner in public! ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/17 "2012-01-11T16:39:38Z")
> [@sh1bu1](#): > > I’m sure that a player who pointed out that there was no God every time he scored a touchdown would go over very well By pointing at the sky and making a “jerk-off” gesture? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/18 "2012-01-11T16:39:54Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > And no, it’s not a religion as I don’t believe, worship, or follow anything due to atheism - completely the opposite. Except that you do believe something. The fact that it isn’t about a God or anything supernatural is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/19 "2012-01-11T16:40:02Z")
Mental note: Lobohan talks to himself. ---
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172/20 "2012-01-11T16:41:19Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Shit like this is more annoying than anything Tim Tebow does. What the fuck are you talking about? Dark matter, dark energy, and inflation. As I said, it’s for another thread. That’s what the fuck. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerant-athiests/609172.md?page=2)