Pushy Atheists vs Pushy Christians

It's best to take   The Middle Path   :-)

You can figure that the attachment to being right is a problem, no matter what the philosophical bent.

Another way to look at it would be the ………. pushy “know”-it-all !
 ;)

But why is it important to them that other people think the same way? I don't get that part at all.

Well, I'm an Atheist and I'm wrong most of the time, and I can prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt… wait…. ;^)

-Inutile

I believe science can be seen as a form of religion as well.  When I was an atheist, I believed only in that which could be measured in the physical world and I let this be my explanation of how things came to be. 

To me this explains how the athiest could be just as passionate about their world view as the Christian.

Just some thoughts….

I respect your position, Laurel. It has been my observation, as you mention, that in order to have a religious belief, one must believe in something beyond that which is measurable or observable.  By that definition, science isn’t a religion.  Observations must be corroborated and rigorously peer reviewed.  True science doesn’t discount what cannot be measured or observed, it merely places it aside until observational impediments can be resolved.  I admit that scientific method appears cold and sterile but it really is a hotbed of debate and review.  The argument that it’s a religion was used as recently as the court battles to have “Intelligent Design” allowed in schools.  By the definition of the pundits behind this movement, Astrology, Phrenology and Numerology should also be taught in public school science curricula.  It comes down to, in my honest opinion, the phrase, “It’s (name your deity)’s will.”  That is essentially the same as, “none shall deem it necessary to pass this point,” and the theist is finished.  I find this personally unacceptable.  ‘Why’ is a very basic question in a first step to generating answers.  If I can’t get the answer now, what will it take to attain the answer?  What is not observable remains on the table and is open to review as all other possibilities within the scope of research.  And so it goes on for the scientist as other things are discovered along the expanding path of growing knowledge.

I have unfortunately personally experienced the onslaught of “deity-as-baseball-bat” theists, even physically once.  I was actually forced to pray in school.  I do now, as then, feel the same about science and defend my right to not participate in activities I find objectionable.  By the same token, I won’t accept a lesser position in society because of my stance.  This also, unfortunately, has occurred to me personally on some occasions. There are also “science-as-baseball-bat” scientists.  I accept the fact there are extremists on both sides and that debate is often fruitless.  But I also believe discussion and study by both sides of the pew are a part of discovery as well.  Darwin in reality postponed his findings. He really didn’t want to discover what he found in his studies, but scientific method led him there ne’er the less. I can no less hope the same for others.

-Inutile

Funny related joke from Dane Cook.  Lol. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtzFLoe5HZY

funny!