...and you take that knowledge and rub it in the face of others in the most obnoxious way possible. That's what gives atheism a bad name.
Well, there's not really a non-obnoxious way to point it out when having a discussion about that very topic.
And I agree... is it harmful to the message being brandied about?
Is it "disgraceful" and/or shady to even bring it up?
Sure.
But aren't we all striving to move beyond a P.C. limited world? Where we are all passive, soft, and refraining from potentially-offensive discussion points?
Anyone who is semi-intelligent, at the minimum, should be aware that such research studies obviously account for bell curves and the naturally-occurring breakers of convention. There will obviously be individuals who are both religious and far more intelligent than the average atheist. And the reverse holds true: some atheists will be even more ridiculously retarded than the worst religious offenders.
But the research points generally hold true. Another one that holds true: the most self-actualized, most worldly-aware, most self-aware, most self-sacrificing, self-giving, (& etc) individuals are, more often than not, agnostic-atheist or agnostic in general.
Is it necessarily meant to be a slam against the religious? Yes and no. Not all atheists wield it in such a negative fashion. It's also a message stating a dedication to the species' salvation, regardless of consequences and what the future holds. The intellectuals who strive to "enlighten" the world don't often do so with an intent to demonize the religious, rather, they do so with positive intentions meant to lift the spirits of those who question things around them yet are painted in a negative light by those who demonize questioning in of itself; they seek to tear down the walls of misery, strife, hunger, war, and hell while we're at it, the walls of nations and religious factions, in the effort to bring together the species, shove religious beliefs into the homes (and lock them there), and point civilization toward a road of prosperity, hope, togetherness, and progress.
Yes, unfortunately that sounds, appallingly, like Obama's campaigns (I did not intent that, nor did I just mean to "slam" said campaign messages - I was just hoping to paint a positive light on this post but unwittingly stumbled upon cliched messages
and no... I will not change anything.).
Point being - some/many atheists, even the most vocal and offensive, honestly are looking toward a much brighter future. Sometimes, it takes being offensive, direct, and very much to the point (in their/our opinion), in order to better realize that goal. But the spirit behind things, the logic and reasoning, is ultimately fueled by the greater good.
You don't understand how much damnation such types once suffered at the hands of the powerful and religious, and that sometimes still occurs today.
These vocal types aren't pushing their opinions out to stigmatize others simply for the hell of it; they are very much putting their own necks out there for the world to cut, risking their lives, careers, and reputations, in the belief that they may either directly change the world, the way we see things, or at the least, influence future generations to do the same.
Is there much negativity to find in the more recent atheist "movement"?
Undoubtedly.
Is there much in the way of positives and enlightenment to be found? Only if you are willing to accept such - otherwise, continue to distract and damn these individuals for all eternity. Maybe enough will be saved from their heathenism, maybe enough will be prevented from seeing the dark light, wasting away and never committing to a more globally positive message, destined only to be punished with eternal damnation by an uncaring zealot who cares not for global prosperity but rather a globally united front of followers... damned all those other religions who also happen to believe the same.
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