Why Are Atheists So Mad? Rabbi Gellman, Of Course

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I really hate sayiing this because I am a pussy, but in the interests of equal anger towards the religious (and I always want to be fair): Fucking Jews.

Here's one thing rabbi and I agree on: I'm an angry atheist. So watch my ire.

In this Newsweek article, Rabbi Gellman just doesn't get it. Why are we so angry? There's absolutely no reason for atheists to be such angry attackers of religion.

So we disagree about God. I'm sometimes at odds with Yankee fans, people who like rap music and people who don't like animals, but I try to be civil.

Yeah, Rabbi Gellman. That's it. The issue of the creator of the universe and the final word on Morality itself is like baseball games and 50 Cent. Atheists are angry because we just won't even try to be Civil. Speaking of civil...

A Civil Discussion

I gather he hasn't listened to that recording. I rather thought the irony would be obvious, though: that hell-believers insist we atheists should be "civil." Yes, yes, shut up already. I know Jews don't do the whole brimstone thing. Read the damned article:

I don't know many religious folk who wake up thinking of new ways to aggravate atheists, but many people who do not believe in God seem to find the religion of their neighbors terribly offensive or oppressive, particularly if the folks next door are evangelical Christians. I just don't get it.

He doesn't get it, so obviously I am not interested in civility. Of course, he misses the point that, while "normal" people like to pick on each other, Giant Atheists like me, and Dawkins (me and Dawkins, I love it!) attack religion. It's not our fault that many religious people find themselves so inextricably tangled up in their beliefs, they don't know where the religion ends and their personhood begins. So if one of us angry atheists so much as suggests the Ten Commendments are evil, and Yahweh is a maniacal dictator, they manage to be personally offended. Jesus. I know you like the book, but I don't. Don't pretend that I ripped your heart out. You're starting to sound like one of those Star Wars/Comic Book Guy people.

DC is superior to Marvel. Discuss. But don't bite.
(I read Fantagraphics.)

This must sound condescending and a large generalization, and I don't mean it that way,

...so I have to say it and you can't get mad...

but I am tempted to believe that behind atheist anger there are oftentimes uncomfortable personal histories. Perhaps their atheism was the result of the tragic death of a loved one, or an angry degrading sermon,

Remember that snake, Rabbi? Temptation is the devil giving you a trouser-kiss.

All religions must teach a way to discipline our animal urges, to overcome racism and materialism, selfishness and arrogance and the sinful oppression of the most vulnerable and the most innocent among us.

You get that? All religions must. So says the Rabbi, Amen.
I can't help being a tad confused, though. You see, you just can't overcome materialism. The world is material, and we are material, and that's just the way it is. Sure, he's talking about "wanting stuff," not philisophical materialism..or is he? That's sort of a big issue with clergy. I tend to think he's talking about both of them, through both sides of his mouth.
But if he wants to end arrogance, I'm afraid he'll end up tossing religion. Arrogance like teaching that morality is the domain of God and Temple.

But our world is better and kinder and more hopeful because of the daily sacrifice and witness of millions of pious people over thousands of years.

That's our quarrel, in a nutshell. Our world is better because of the hard work and dedication of scientists, technicians, thinkiers and artisans who witness not miracles but fact and observation, leading us away from the darkness that was brought by the pious, and the glorification of sacrifice and pain.. How's that for a little positivity, which Good Rebbe says we atheists lack?