Religion
In reply to the discussion: An End to Arrogant Atheism [View all]LostOne4Ever
(9,288 posts)I think it really depends upon the context, your purpose, your audience, and goal.
Even mockery has a place.
I keep bring this up because it is one of my favorites, but Letters from the Earth has some of the most humorous mockery of religion I have ever come across combine with places where Mark Twain is outright damning religion. Of course, the people most likely to read that book are those whose mind are already prepared for what is to come.
I would say its great for those who already disbelieve, those who doubt and are looking for more perspective from disbelievers, and simply those who like a good laugh even it is at the expense of their own religion.
Similarly, arrogant atheism probably has a place too. It can be a way of making connections with other non-believers that they are not alone, others think as they do, and showing that its possible to be successful when confronting religion. Yes, there are other ways of doing that but different people have different styles and some are more effective with one tool than another.
And then there are those who might not arguing for anyone but themselves. People who have had their own thoughts and opinions contained and have had enough are are going to share them the way they see them and everyone else be damned.
But, just as there is a season for all things, there are times and places that some things should be avoided. If you are confronting believers about their beliefs with the goal of convincing them that their faith is misplaced mockery and arrogance might not be the best too for the job. Many people only hold onto their beliefs and opinions even more stringently when they feel they have been insulted.
And of course its possible that one person has a different goal and audience than one's own and that the two clash. Thus one sees the other as "harming the 'cause'" and the other sees that one as being an "apologist" when the two have completely different aims.
TLDR:
Depending on what you are trying to argue and to whom your actual audience is YMMV.