# What are your most unpopular opinions? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 14, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645 "2013-04-14T00:24:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/441 "2013-04-26T21:18:17Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > Nah. When I’m ranting to the 7-11 clerk it’s usually about those damn hippies who give me grief because I don’t recycle my used toilet paper or eat organic lichen and think the world would be a better place if we all lived in harmony with nature like some kind of animal. I’m at the top of the food chain, baby, and I’m not gonna let some spotted owl get in the way of me building a house. And if the ice caps melt, so what? I want to be able to surf in Wyoming.😉 you’re about as funny as Dennis Rader performing a marionette show ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/442 "2013-04-26T23:26:44Z")
> [@colander](#): > > people, this is why the cashier at 7-11 doesn’t smile at you: because the last time they smiled at a customer, the customer thought they wanted to be friends and launched into an animated monologue about illegal aliens and their filthy crotchfruit that lasted for like two straight minutes ☹ ☹ It’s funny because it’s true (You work in retail long enough and someone _will_ launch into a “You know what’s wrong with this country?” spiel, which it is imperative you do _not_ engage them in). ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/443 "2013-04-27T01:11:42Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > Most atheists are as abrasive, if not more so, than the worst proselytizing preachers. You don’t believe in a deity. Great. So get out of the faces of the ones that do. I won’t preach to you if you won’t preach to me, OK? Is this really what happens in America? Is everybody just shouting at each other telling them what to believe? ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/444 "2013-04-27T02:14:14Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Is this really what happens in America? Is everybody just shouting at each other telling them what to believe? Really? How long have you been on this board? Someone starts a religious thread and one of our numerous atheists jump in and threadshit, ridiculing the OP as being delusional for worshiping an invisible pink unicorn or some other rude thing. I have no problem with atheists. Hell, my son is one! But he doesn’t make fun of his friend who plays guitar at Sunday services. Some of the people on this board think its not only OK for them to make fun of religious people but they take great pleasure in trashing the threads. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/445 "2013-04-27T05:11:30Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > Really? How long have you been on this board? Someone starts a religious thread and one of our numerous atheists jump in and threadshit, ridiculing the OP as being delusional for worshiping an invisible pink unicorn or some other rude thing. > > I have no problem with atheists. Hell, my son is one! But he doesn’t make fun of his friend who plays guitar at Sunday services. Some of the people on this board think its not only OK for them to make fun of religious people but they take great pleasure in trashing the threads. And then they wonder why people tell them they’re going to hell. If they are, it’s more likely that they are for being an intolerant jerkwad than for their (lack of) religious beliefs. :rolleyes: I have a distant relative who was on Facebook with me, and I unfriended him because he was posting memes that basically advocated a Christian holocaust, and he was posting other things that, if they were about Jews or Muslims, would have law enforcement knocking on his door. He’s also gotten into trouble at work for “preaching” to co-workers. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/446 "2013-04-27T15:17:01Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > Really? How long have you been on this board? Someone starts a religious thread and one of our numerous atheists jump in and threadshit, ridiculing the OP as being delusional for worshiping an invisible pink unicorn or some other rude thing. That sentence makes more sense if you substitute “Der Trihs” for “one of our numerous atheists”, although Condescending Robot has been noisier lately. CR only seems to be mostly angry at liberals, though. It’s just gravy if they’re also religious. ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a6a055/32.png) [@Tequila\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Party)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/447 "2013-04-27T15:23:47Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > **And then they wonder why people tell them they’re going to hell.** If they are, it’s more likely that they are for being an intolerant jerkwad than for their (lack of) religious beliefs. :rolleyes: > > I have a distant relative who was on Facebook with me, and I unfriended him because he was posting memes that basically advocated a Christian holocaust, and he was posting other things that, if they were about Jews or Muslims, would have law enforcement knocking on his door. He’s also gotten into trouble at work for “preaching” to co-workers. :rolleyes: It’s a vicious cycle. Most atheists respond that way _because_ they’ve been told they’re going to hell, repeatedly, their entire lives. So, there’s definitely a “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” aspect to why that all happens. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/448 "2013-04-27T15:40:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Slypork > Really? How long have you been on this board? Someone starts a religious thread and one of our numerous atheists jump in and threadshit, ridiculing the OP as being delusional for worshiping an invisible pink unicorn or some other rude thing. Perhaps it’s unpopular to hold the opinion that the only proper response to any mentionn of religion, especially here, is ridicule. If ignorance can’t be fought, at least it can be laughed at. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/449 "2013-04-27T23:49:32Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > Really? How long have you been on this board? Someone starts a religious thread and one of our numerous atheists jump in and threadshit, ridiculing the OP as being delusional for worshiping an invisible pink unicorn or some other rude thing. I wasn’t talking about the board, because if a question gets asked then naturally the arguments are going to go back and forth. But in day-to-day living is that what goes on? Are all sides just shouting at and ridiculing each other? Because where I live in the antipodes, Atheists stay pretty quiet about their atheism. And though Christians can get a little bit annoying when they knock on your door of a weekend handing out leaflets, generally they’re pretty quiet about their views too. It’s much more preferable to what you’re describing. ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/450 "2013-04-28T00:54:13Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Perhaps it’s unpopular to hold the opinion that the only proper response to any mentionn of religion, especially here, is ridicule. If ignorance can’t be fought, at least it can be laughed at. If someone asks a religious question, lets say about comparing different sects of Baptists or particulars about something written in the Bible, is the proper response laughter? No, it is to answer the person’s question. When asking a question that requires a factual answer (what was Luther’s problems with the papacy, for example) don’t be an ass and say, “Luther was just another delusion person who believed in something unrealistic,” or even worse. If you have nothing constructive to add, don’t post to the thread. As my mom used to say, “If you have nothing nice to say then don’t say anything at all.” This is the problem I have with atheists. The “holier than thou” attitude. Proselytizing religious people will say you’re going to Hell because you don’t believe like them. Extreme atheists will say you’re a moron because you don’t accept what you are saying. Sure, it’s faith vs fact, but it can be done politely. If I just mention that I like singing in my church choir that doesn’t give you the right to say how stupid I am for believing in something unrealistic and impossible. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/451 "2013-04-28T04:49:21Z")
I changed my religious beliefs because of a Facebook or message board post, said nobody ever. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/452 "2013-04-28T11:07:33Z")
Here’s an opinion that may be unpopular: I think Derek Jacobi is a bad actor. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/453 "2013-04-28T17:39:29Z")
Here’s an opinion that’s not unpopular, because most people agree with it, but it does tend to turn a thread incendiary. I think those school anti-bullying policies and programs are a bunch of crap. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/454 "2013-04-28T18:03:29Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Here’s an opinion that’s not unpopular, because most people agree with it, but it does tend to turn a thread incendiary. > > I think those school anti-bullying policies and programs are a bunch of crap. I’ve never heard this view expressed, so my thought is that it is an unpopular opinion. Either way, it is one that I agree with somewhat. I think bullying is a horrible, bad thing. I often have a hard time owning up to the bad feelings I experienced growing up, but yeah, harrassment sucked and I wish none of it had happened. But I do think it made me tougher in a lot of ways. It pushed me to develop a sense of humor and to “show them”. (I also think it kept me from thinking my shit don’t stink…but I think I would have learned this on my own eventually). I also think negative peer pressure is an effective way of discouraging anti-social behavior. Bullying definitely crosses the line, but what about teasing? If someone catches you picking your nose and eating the boogers, is it such a bad thing for them to laugh at you? Maybe instead of expecting people not to laugh, you could, I dunno, just stop eating your boogers. Maybe boogers aren’t a great example, but there are other annoying behaviors that can be nipped in the bud because of a well-placed snide comment. I’d hate for this “polishing” process to be ruined by anti-bullying measures. But I only agree somewhat because I think kids DO need to be taught how to be nice. Kids can be so cruel but they don’t HAVE to be. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/455 "2013-04-28T18:17:46Z")
Monstro, there’s a big difference between someone suggesting that inappropriate public behavior can be done in private, and abusing someone because they engage in it. In addition, the policies’ enforcement is often erratic, and depends on who’s doing it to whom, and how much money the bully’s parents have or if they or their siblings are champion athletes or related to someone famous. ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a6a055/32.png) [@Tequila\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Party)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/456 "2013-04-29T13:53:48Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > If someone asks a religious question, lets say about comparing different sects of Baptists or particulars about something written in the Bible, is the proper response laughter? No, it is to answer the person’s question. When asking a question that requires a factual answer (what was Luther’s problems with the papacy, for example) don’t be an ass and say, “Luther was just another delusion person who believed in something unrealistic,” or even worse. If you have nothing constructive to add, don’t post to the thread. As my mom used to say, “If you have nothing nice to say then don’t say anything at all.” > > This is the problem I have with atheists. The “holier than thou” attitude. **Proselytizing religious people will say you’re going to Hell because you don’t believe like them.** Extreme atheists will say you’re a moron because you don’t accept what you are saying. Sure, it’s faith vs fact, but it can be done politely. If I just mention that I like singing in my church choir that doesn’t give you the right to say how stupid I am for believing in something unrealistic and impossible. And that’s okay because it’s what they _believe_? Who cares what the reason is? It’s still obnoxious and rude as shit, just as much, if not more so than the atheists who aren’t being “polite.” I’d much rather someone I disagreed with think me a moron (which I’d undoubtedly think in return), then tell my kid that they’re facing eternal damnation. No wonder some non-believers are so strident. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/457 "2013-04-29T14:47:54Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > If someone asks a religious question, lets say about comparing different sects of Baptists or particulars about something written in the Bible, is the proper response laughter? No, it is to answer the person’s question. When asking a question that requires a factual answer (what was Luther’s problems with the papacy, for example) don’t be an ass and say, “Luther was just another delusion person who believed in something unrealistic,” or even worse. If you have nothing constructive to add, don’t post to the thread. As my mom used to say, “If you have nothing nice to say then don’t say anything at all.” > > This is the problem I have with atheists. The “holier than thou” attitude. Proselytizing religious people will say you’re going to Hell because you don’t believe like them. Extreme atheists will say you’re a moron because you don’t accept what you are saying. Sure, it’s faith vs fact, but it can be done politely. If I just mention that I like singing in my church choir that doesn’t give you the right to say how stupid I am for believing in something unrealistic and impossible. Maybe you have a point. I’m sure if someone came to the SDMB and asked in all seriousness, “How many lightening bolts can Zeus hurl down in an hour? Is there a limit, or do the other Gods have to take over after some point?” Everyone would debate the question rationally and with due respect to his sincere beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/458 "2013-04-29T14:53:07Z")
The longer this thread continues, the likelihood it will become the worst thread ever on the SDMB approaches one. ---
**Author:** ![Honesty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f04885/32.png) [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/459 "2013-04-29T15:58:52Z")
1. I think there ought to be reparations to blacks at the federal level. I think the U.S willfully failed to stop disenfranchisement of black people by the States, especially post-1900. The reparation payment should be the monetary equivalent of forty acres and a mule in today’s dollars plus 1% of the total economic output of slaves prior to the Civil War (some federal accountant can figure this out). Payouts would be dispersed over the lifetime over the black person after the 21st birthday. To ensure that payments do not exhaust the Treasury and precipitate a collapse of the country as well as to showcase our benevolence, reparation payments would not be allowed to exceed 10% of the GDP. Also, direct deposit would be available. 2. I think Andersonville is a tad bit Chicago is overrated. 3. I think the IRS budget should be increased. 4. We should make a human/chimp hybrid. 5. The Governor of Wisconsin looks like he has Down’s Syndrome. - Honesty ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645/460 "2013-04-29T17:55:58Z")
Since we’re on the subject of religion, whenever I hear about a high school megajock who claims to be Christian, I have always thought, “Christian, my ass.” Not my foot, my ass. This is based on the way kids like this treat the people who aren’t part of their rarefied social circle, and how they act in other ways off the field, or at least the way they did at my school. I wonder how many of the boys in the recent Steubenville case claimed to be Christian. 😕 Every single person to whom I have said this over the years has told me, “If you say ‘Christian, my ass’ to the wrong person, you could get yourself in some really big trouble” but nobody has ever actually disagreed with me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-most-unpopular-opinions/655645.md?page=24)