Do christians feel "bullied" by atheists?

[rayne]

I do get offensive but only after a point and that point is when they start to change what they say to be more in line with what you are saying, pandering to me because you can't stand behind your convictions is cowardly.

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by owheelj

It's interesting though, because the Christians that I know in person, including two pastors, seem much more tolerant of criticism of Christianity than a few atheists I know. For example recently I got in a debate on facebook after I criticised the Salvation Army for their policy regarding homosexuality and one of the pastors and an atheist human rights lawyer both disagreed with me. The Pastor was happy to discuss the issue, and we remain friends, the atheist thought I was being outrageous and deleted me as a friend.

I agree with this - I have a few anecdotes of my own that fit into this category. I actually often find that it's my more left-wing, "open-minded" friends/family with whom this happens. The whole cultural relativism issue comes into play - people think they're being fair-minded or liberal when they suggest that religious beliefs/practices shouldn't be criticised, and they get offended on behalf of the religious. They often categorise me as "too hard-core". Jeez man, go hard-core or go home.

(All personal POV - just musings, really)

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by rayne

I do get offensive but only after a point and that point is when they start to change what they say to be more in line with what you are saying, pandering to me because you can't stand behind your convictions is cowardly.

Always good to push the line, IMO.

[Darwinsbulldog]

Some theists think that their church is "salvagable" : they recognise that there are many problems, but seek to address them within the church. I think they are wrong, but that is no reason not to agree with them on specific issues like homoesexuality. Of course, too much reform and the church ceases to be what it is. A strong outbreak of reason in a church is the end of faith. Perhaps all that would be left in such a situation is an Alain DeBotton type atheistic community. Of course, it would not stop there, because people are generally not hysterical and don't really need ritual, they just think they do, because it is habit.

[EvilDRMike]

Just to add the me too to this. I have also seen what you speak of in terms of non believers being outraged by my arrogance in not accepting that religion is above reproach even from someone who will readily take my side on related issues that are not so directly religious in nature. That aside I think the more fundie types seem particularly easy to outrage at least in my experience. I suspect that they are in fact permanently primed to be offended.

EDM