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Question168

. What can we as atheists do to make ignorant people stop thinking of us as 'evil'?

• 1) Education
  2) Education
  3) Education (raven1 #1096)

• In reality? Who cares what the ingnorant think of us? Our atheism (unlike theism) does not define who we are, nor how we behave.

  And theists will be idiots or not, we can't stop them. :) (Grace #1752)

• Show them by example. Be kind, compassionate, generous, respect others rights, and in general practice those ideals which we believe in ourselves.

  The truly ignorant may be beyond hope, but those who can think, even a tiny bit, may come to realize that we don't have horns, pointy tails, and cloven hooves. (John Hachmann #1782)

• Do to whom? If this means ourselves, nothing. There's nothing inherently evil in holding views not in the mainstream. Holding uncommon views is no more evil than being Jewish, black, asian, or any other group that has - or will be - a victim of discrimination.

  That leaves what we do to others, which really ends up as a form of proselytizing. So we end up no better than the religious bigots. The only solution is to do nothing by doing everything right - obeying the law, being civil, courteous, and open minded.

  The only thing to do is be good people. When someone asks "How can atheists be good?" then stand up and be counted. (Bob Dog #153)

• Support education. That's the only long term solution to the problem, and luckily it solves so many other problems as well. It cuts down on the number and influence of ignorant people. (kalle.helenius #907)

• I suppose we could try "turning the other cheek" and out good-deeding them.

  Alternatively, we could not bother and have a lie-in.

  (Guess which I am planning on...)

  I don't think there is anything you could do or say to convince some people. The mere fact of your existence and beliefs is enough. ("the" Owen #1883)

• ...I do my best not to paint all theists with the same brush. I try to be polite and respectful in the "real world". I'm slightly less considerate in aa because, well, this is *our* place. This is where theists who post "Gawd wuvs u" are being rude, and where our beliefs are the default. I'm still pretty easy on 'em, but nothing like I am in the real world.

  Guess what? It still doesn't seem to matter. In the real world, I'm still called evil. I'm still told I must be immoral. Not because of my actions, but because of my beliefs. Many theists are told that, regardless of how good and nice atheists act, their lack of belief makes them SatanSpawn(tm). That doesn't mean we should stop being polite and nice to 'em. Regardless of where it comes from, "Do unto others..." is a good rule of thumb. Besides, if you need a cynical reason, our being nice when they're hateful shows them to be hypocrites. (The Jester #774)