@liv

I respect you, not what you believe. Just like you have every right to not respect what I believe, as long as you respect me. There is a huge difference there. Though, yes I get what you are saying. I have left a lot of atheist groups because they felt a need to disrespect other people because they believed differently than they do.

This often happens with those recently turning to atheism after some bad experiences with religion, spiritualism however you want to label it. To feel secure they attack that which caused them pain and harm. It happens a lot. Most outgrow that phase quickly. Some never will. The best thing to do when you see people disrespecting other people for their beliefs is to just leave, and not go back. It will never be a healthy place. I have been an atheist for many decades now and do not feel a need to attack people who believe differently to make myself feel more secure in my own beliefs. This is an issue we have with both atheist and theists.

I have experienced the same from groups of theists (people who believe in a god creator that takes an active role in their creation). It goes both ways. When I get attacked by a group of theists I just let it roll off my back (and this happens often) as I do not respect their opinion, their words cannot hurt me.

I get it, you thought they were friends, that is how you looked at them. They did not return the sentiment. That hurts. Sorry you had to experience that. I wish you peace and a quick recovery. You are still my friend, and I am not going to turn my back on you no matter what you believe in. I am a humanitarian first and for most. I believe in people. I believe we can be great together. We need to look at those things that unite us rather than divide us. Especially in these trying times.

@liv

I have used the IRC off and on for many decades. I am not currently active though that is subject to change on a whim 😉. I am mostly active in Tech channels. Yet, you can find me lurking in philosophy and poetry channels as well.

It is ironic that an atheist would have an opinion about a god. Why? If you do not believe something exists then why would you have an opinion about that thing that does not exist? It is not really a rational way to think now is it?

I have some very strong feelings about how I feel theism and so called spirituality has harmed humanity in very severe ways. Yet, I do not discuss this unless I am asked to. As I have no intention of hurting someone's feelings because they have a different belief. As a scientist I believe we have an obligation to teach and share knowledge. Yet, I believe we must teach people how to think, not what to think. Using a poor methodology in your thought process can be devastating and lead to painful results. Wrong thinking leads to wrong action. Wrong action leads to bad consequences.

The people in that channel or at least some of them will eventually out grow their need to persecute others for their beliefs in order to uplift and secure their own beliefs or at least let us hope that they will. When the pain of what they were forced to live through has had time to heal. Some will unfortunately cling to that hate as a security blanket, as they are truly insecure in their beliefs.

Most people are indoctrinated into their beliefs from birth. Few people are raised atheists as most of society is not. So most atheist you meet will have suffered greatly at the hands of theists so do not be surprised when they are hostile toward what they perceive as their enemy. Of course the real enemy is giving hate a place in your being in the first place. Keep in mind that our belief systems are sacrosanct. To change them we literally redefine who and what we are. This is not an easy change. People struggle with this daily when they are trying to change for what they consider the better.

So if you choose to stay in the channel then just tell them you are sorry they hurt so much and you empathize with them. Do not return hostility for hostility this will lead no where. Just let them know that you are willing to accept them regardless of their beliefs and you hope they can do the same. That you do not feel that having differences in beliefs should make you enemies. Tell them that they do not have to respect what you believe though if they are your friends then they should and will respect you, your feelings and your needs. If they cannot do this, then just leave them behind. If I end up back on the IRC sometime soon I will let you know what channels I haunt 😉. Historically I have used DALnet, though I can checkout GameSurge, QuakeNet and Rizon as well.

Have a Great Day!

@Unus Nemo i honestly don't care why or how they suffered or why they became atheists. they're older than me but they still act like children. tbh, i'm not the type to be "kind" back to people who insult me. i'm definitely not gonna apologize for their pain or talk to them first, big no no!!! i usually just go silent if something doesn't go according to me and wait for the other person to make the move. if they don't, i'm done with them.

btw, i'm actually surprised ur a lurker on irc since u have a lot to share. irl i'm pretty quiet and boring, but sometimes in some irc channels i'm a total spammer and talk a lot of nonsense, kek.

also i'm not into philosophy or poetry at all. besides tech i kinda like to research about skincare and biochemistry. i like to research about how specific chemicals intreract with skin like retinoids, tretinoin, salcylic acid, gycolic acid, niacinamide, kojic acid, minoxidil, physical fitness nutrition etc. i'm also anti feminist and anti lgbtqwsyz bla bla bla.

I’m curious which network you’ll jump on if you decide to log in 'on a whim.' Let me know if you end up on GameSurge, QuakeNet, or Rizon.

Have a Great Day😇!!!