It is sort of ironic that your question puts down athiests.

I don't know about that. Some of those bible thumpers can get pretty nasty.

I spy with my a little eye a fundi! Run. :)

Haven't really noticed yet, but I will look and get back to ya on that :D

Amen Dear brother...oh pardon me I mean I agree.

Why would that be ironic? Are atheists supposed to be tolerant? I don't remember reading that in the contract when I signed up as an atheist.

I love when they are rude and mean and degrading. Christians are the one group that actually is glad when under persecution. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matt 5:11)

My observation is that there is just as much rudeness displayed by radical believers. Both sides should tone down their rhetoric. +3

I've noticed a few rude atheists, but there are also some rude Christians too. I think that some people are just rude or on power trips no matter what they believe. Most of the people on here, beliefs aside, are pretty nice.

I see a lot of inane questions asked of Atheists as challenges, like "Atheists, the devil owns your soul now, what do you think of that?". Perhaps we just get a bit irritated at these after awhile.

It comes from both sides. I have seen intolerance from both Christians and Atheists, and unfortunately those who don't become involved in this constant fighting have to suffer along with the guilty parties. +2

I get offended by anyone that makes final or exacting statements like they know "the way." I can't stand to enter into civil discourse about "a godform" or the concept of god and my discussion gets hijacked by a catch all bin called "faith"..just sweep all of the unknowns into that bin. Likewise, I think that atheists, because Western societies are predominantly Judeo-Christian based and have always villafied the godless Nazis as well as all non-Judeo Christian religions. Everyone that cares to debate this matter of utmost importance is on edge and usually firmly planted and have well thought-out positions. Me, I am think of it it a lot..the questions of God that is, but I have no answers, so I have no right to be an antagonists about it. I've always admired the person with more questions than answers, because that person is truly searching. To claim you have the answer to such a question is heady and arrogant. And because it is easier to prove that there is no measurable evidence of God, atheists gloat over that as the winning argument. One thing is for sure...if he/she exists, God is invisible. But at the smae time, some amazing things happen in this world that are hard to wrap your head around. I believe in a God...I just dont think heshe has visited yet or maybe never intends to speak with us. and that maybe there is no eternal life, just this one. But still, I believe in God. So I intend to make this physical life count. And why shouldn't we? Don't bet everything on the afterlife or you will miss a lot of life's pleasures that I think God intends for us to sample. Only the Bible tells us not to enjoy them really. Most other non-Judeo Christian religions leave it up to the individual and dont give them bulleted lists of what yee can do and not do.

1. It's a 2 way street 2. Atheists are not the most intolerant group 3. it is not ironic

If I may ask. When was the last time you heard of an Atheist flying planes into buildings? Or shooting folks in a church?

Your experience has not been mine. What I have noticed is that the majority of responses by atheists are quite tolerant and polite.

I understand the irony behind that :P as often us religious fundimentalists prize ourselves at being intolerant. Perhaps we're more hospitable because we fear our God is watching? :P

I'm not an atheist, but I've seen some incredibly rude things directed at atheists by fundamental Christians. The outspoken and extreme of both groups are equally as bad as each other and there are far too many people telling others how to live their lives, instead of just getting on with their own.

I totally disagree with you. Not only do the religios get angry and swear like drunks, they down rate, they stalk, and otherwise behave badly. Also, remember that they talk about how you're going to hell and have you heard the word of the lord today and Jesus is lord and other things that YOU might not find offensive, but that I, for one, do. Why do they get to talk lewdly about their beliefs but when atheists do, we're intolerant?

why pick on rude athiests? what about agressive christians or nasty muslims or manic mormons, usually this kind of question carries a link as an example.

This question was made as a sort of reminder to my fellow atheists that being polite costs nothing, and very little effort is involved. Instead, it has turned into Atheists throwing blame on Theists, and Theists "agreeing" with my statement. The true irony lies in the fact that nobody here admits to every being the rude/intolerant person described in my question. I am sure if I scoured through some of the poster's answers or questions here, I would find plenty of exmples that justify my question. I am going to ask a friend to mark my question as spam, and leave this question behind with a reminder to be polite to each other.

This is one of the reasons why: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1750641

I think your question is a poor generalization and shows that you re not "tolerant" of atheists who don't respond in the way you wish, when they are verbally attacked. Now, THAT really is ironic!

Not sure this is true but hope it is not. Humanity on a human level is important. Caring for one another in the endall

I was starting to lose hope that people like you even existed anymore. Although looking at the answers in this thread, I'm starting to lose hope again.

I don't find it all that "ironic", it's not as if atheism have an allegance to anything particular (like a need to "love thy neighbor"). If anything it might be hypocritical for a close-minded person to call a religion close-minded.

I don't think it's ironic. I think it's just your opinion. One that I do not share.

I hesitate to say it, but I do think there has been a decrease in the venom (which is in NO WAY being said to minimize your point. It does still happen). I think each side is waiting for the other to apologize, oe give up, or be proven wrong, or SOMETHING. Regardless, we Christians seem to forget that we are under direct orders to treat everybody with respect, while Atheists have no such directive. We can stomp our feet and pitch a fit about it, but a Christian is such because they CHOSE to be. It comes with the territory. +5

It is not ironic. If Atheism is to stand for anything at all it must be opposition to and intolerance for religion. What else can there be?

I haven't really noticed this. Speaking for myself, I know I sometimes get cheeky. There are quite a few questions asked about atheist that are very intentionally insulting. I answer those with a scoop or two of sarcasm. I guess they could be considered rude and intolerant. Intolerant is not my intent, I intend to mirror the tone of the question.