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Comment by akavi | Hacker News Reader

I grew up in a very affluent school district in Texas, and I still had to deal with being harassed for being an atheist and having my biology teacher preface her lessons on evolution with "Now, this is not what I personally believe, but...".

That said, even with those little unpleasantnesses, I did get an excellent education.

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I didn't take biology in Texas, I took it in California before I moved and my bio teacher in CA espoused a similar attitude.

Developing a thick skin and tolerance for the culture of the locals definitely helps you enjoy the good things you find in life.

I don't get why people are under the impression that (a small portion of) atheists are any less extremist than extremists of any religion.

You wouldn't believe the lengths some people go to to spite believers.

What does that have to do with anything? He's talking about having to deal with crazy creationists (also known as religious extremists). That doesn't mean he is one himself.

Atheists aren't a religious group. They're the absence of one.

not if they're vehement about it

That's just asinine. Think about it.

"Not eating is a style of cuisine, just like Ethiopian or Italian, because those darn anorexics are just so vehement about it."

I did think about it. And not eating is a style of cuisine. The flavors of your body slowly eating itself are euphoric to some. There are plenty of annoying atheists who are trying to convince people they are right. It's the same as the Mormons showing up on your front step.

If rushed judgements of religious groups irritate you, a good first step might be not to engage in exactly the same behaviour. "Let he who is without sin..."

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