[quote=scaredyclassic][quote=CA renter]
…I’ve known many Christians and atheists, and both groups have their good, bad, and neutral. I’ve seen no difference in the level of obnoxiousness where the extreme ones are concerned.[/quote]

perhaps. but the obnoxious superior atheist is a relatively new phenomenon. the obnoxious and dangerous religious viewpoint is pretty old.

im wondering how tht came about. when i was a kid, i dont recall religious people being so in your face, so proseyletizing, so demanding of public presence. kind of lik e veterans, they were proud and in the background.

as religiions got pushier and more needy, maybe atheists repsonded with “back the hell off?’ Im talking about the last 40 years in the usa only….[/quote]

It has seemed that way to me too, scaredy.

I’ve attributed it to one of two reasons (have no idea if either is right):

– I’m getting older and less willing to have religious zealots inject themselves into my life so it feels to me like they’ve become more intense

– The internet has let groups of people with minority viewpoints to interact and use the power of forming a group get their viewpoint better heard. In this case, the atheists.

It is my opinion, btw, that the internet allows for more anonymous interaction (like right now, for example) so topics can be thoroughly discussed and analyzed in a freer fashion. In my opinion, this will accelerate the decline of religion. That statement, of course, is for people who don’t believe an all-knowing, omnipotent object and immaculate conception are really possible. 🙂