I don't think either of those things. Granted, there undoubtedly are angry atheists around, but it's the OP who seems to want to delve into absolutes. I also wouldn't want to see the discussion devolve into "oh, you're just angry" instead of a discussion of the merits of various claims.
Okay, let's stick with the premise that some atheists are angry. More specifically, angry against theists. Why do you think they are so emotional about it?
Yes they are, congratulations. That doesn't negate the proposition that atheists are angry folk. Google it..atheists themselves admit to their anger. So it's not an accusation as much as an observation.
Many theists hold back civilisation by being intolerant of others and opposing science. Are those not things to be upset about?
You began by presenting a false statement "Either you're a theist or an atheist - it's binary" Binary applies to current computing code systems. It's like saying 'there's up or down, in or out etc. Which negates the state of transition. In logic, a three-valued logic (also trivalent, ternary, trinary logic, or trilean, sometimes abbreviated 3VL) is any of several many-valued logic systems in which there are three truth values indicating true, false and some indeterminate third value. This is contrasted with the more commonly known bivalent logics (such as classical sentential or Boolean logic) which provide only for true and false (binary). I am in that' indeterminate third value' stage. I neither believe nor disbelieve in a god. I simply don't know. I classify myself a deist because I am neither an atheist or a theist. I could end up being either.
Binary applies to many things - the word existed long before we gave up on analog computing in favor of digital. "Atheist" - a fairly simple word, really. It's "theist", with the prefix "a-", which we get from Greek, and means "not". Thus an atheist is someone who is not a theist. By definition, if you aren't a theist, you're an atheist. You say yourself that you don't believe in a god - that means you're an atheist. You just happen to be an agnostic atheist rather than a gnostic one.
I can relate to any who might be angry at having been brought up theist and then come to discover what a pack of lies that was. Who wouldn't be mad about something like that? No one likes to be lied to. What else might anger an atheist? Well, I'm sure it gets frustrating for a biology professor like Dr. Dawkins to have a bunch of pig-headed young creationists show up in his classes and make a stink about what's being taught. Also just on principle, who wants to see people deceive themselves and one another, and then try to claim that unfounded ideas and beliefs are somehow every bit as valid as a scientific theory? That sort of thing is stupid and deserves to be addressed. Of course, you can also hear and read from outspoken atheists all you like by turning to their writings and videos available online, where the angry ones and not-so-angry ones alike no doubt cover their reasons for being outspoken. I think it mostly just comes down to open a dialogue and a debate. Turning to Dawkins again, I've seen him in debates with theists, and he doesn't come off as angry in the least, but rather attempts to understand their arguments. I've seen an honest effort on his part to understand the theist position, and I've seen him express as much. Myself, having a Christian background, I understand a bit from my own personal perspective about how theistic belief goes. It's based on misinformation, ignorance and wishful thinking. I came to recogise this gradually, and finally gave up such beliefs formally a few years back now.
I think that atheist is not clearly defined and categorized yet the way it should be. For example if you call yourself an atheist, yet believe in UFOs and Aliens visiting us, you should be in another category of "atheist" I would say. Also many seem to be conspiracy buffs. People are very diverse and there are still nouns missing to define the different groups atheists in my mind. I consider myself an atheist because I do not believe in the existence of any divined being, but that's it. I don't think that atheists are a group or agree on anything else than that really. And I think people tend to group a whole bunch of people, who don't agree on much beyond that. I strongly disagree with people trying to "convert" people to any religion or atheism for that matter. But that's me. You cannot expect millions of people to react the same, and unfortunately people with extreme views tend to visit these forums more and post more than the average person. So you shouldn't judge based what you read here...
sorry, nothing to do with my post. which was an answer to your question of why atheists feel the need to defend themselves.
of course. if other people feel strong emotions about your pet sky man it makes him seem that much more real. after all, who'd have emotions (strong or otherwise) about a creature which doesn't exist they don't like hearing that if we're pissed off at all, it's with the imposition of a nasty superstition.
I suspect that many Athiests become angry when Religeous people attempt to impose their beliefs on people who do not follow the same dogmas. Like attempts to impose anti-abortion laws on everyone or laws opposing same sex marriage. Or the attempts by the religeous to limit access to contraceptives while at the same time opposing abortions. Or the old laws banning alcohol sales on Sundays If people of faith would stop trying to impose their values on those of us with different opinions probably some of the hostility would subside. And by the way I classify myself as Agnostic at least until a consensus about the definition of God happens.
I don't suspect, I know that some like to pretend atheists are angry because they just hate atheists and want to make them seem like they care what the God Gullibles have to say. My atheism has never made me angry but really stupid people keep insisting all atheists are angry....maybe since God Gullibles have only two emotions, hate and anger, they think everyone else does, too. When Arrogant Greedy Believers try to pass religious laws in their sick need to control, I just fight back....anger is a waste of energy....
Am I interpreting this correctly (?); (first, let's remove some tags, as they seem to muddle things up now) group A is angry because group B attempts to impose what they believe on them. Group A thinks that they should instead be able to impose their beliefs on group B. Well ain't that a kick in the butt?
Your use of the terms "God Gullibles" and " Arrogant Greedy Believes" putsthe lie to your claim of equanimity.
Oh, I'm sorry YOU can't dislike someone without anger or hate but I can and do. I can say, "Hitler was a monster" without getting upset, angry or wallowing in hate...guess other's haven't much control...(shrug)...
What you are implying is that you're a 'dispassionate' person. Virtually emotionless. No 'fire in the belly'. You calmly type out venom in CAPS with complete detachment. Like some automaton. I think you may be kidding yourself.
There ya go , without a degree in psychology or a crystal ball, making assumptions about how others feel. I never implied anything. I stated how I feel. I use caps for emphasis. LOL Caps to you is immediately "venom"...that never even occurred to ME. Just because some people cannot control their emotions, or have a thought without becoming emotional, doesn't mean no one can. It's an error to think people only can be automatons or constantly angry....there is a middle ground which you obviously can't find. Now, a question, why is it so important to you what my feelings are?.......yours mean nothing to me....be angry, be hateful, it hurts no one but you.
Stating how you feel, is 'implying'. EX: If you say; 'I plan on going shopping tomorrow', you are implying that you have plans to go shopping tomorrow. That 'middle ground' you claim to inhabit is called 'objectivity'. Can you honestly say that your comments, on this thread alone, are 'objective'?
You assume that all anger is bad. I get angry that I have to listen to the dribble that comes from every theist I know.
