Bethie wrote:
A theist arguing there is a deity is "defending his beliefs".
An atheist responding with the academic equivalent of "ROFL" is "attacking religion and believers".
A theist who, uninvited, aims at convincing another that his beliefs are true is not defending anything.
A theist who responds expressing nonbelief is not attacking.
A Conspiracy Theory scientist [believing theists are a clear and present danger] will often be defending or preemptively attacking.
THIS theist [and, in the day, this atheist] sees no reason to attack or defend on these issues, but gets worked up if he is called an idiot, or if he is attacked by an idiot.
There is a story about one of the Desert Fathers. The guys got together - they had a lot of fun - and agreed to throw a lot of names and accusations at him, to see how he would react. Sort of fraternity hazing.
He just smilled, took it, occasionally gouing , "Yes, I'm a sinner" or "You could be right". Then thery called him a heretic - and he reared up and said I am NOT a heretic. To him, THAT one was serious.
You tell me I am misusing words or pervderting logic - or you do those to me - and stand back.