Dealing with the condescending...

[Tank]

I'll pass on the question to TheAnyKey, since he's a native!

Let's hope he spots this once he's a 10+ member.

[Gawen]

Bad manners know no bounds. Condescending people come in all shapes and sizes, Christopher Hitchins springs to mind right...

Hitchens is my hero. It is sometimes uncanny how the two of us think alike. If I only had the classes and experience in rhetoric (as he does), I'd be styling. Is he condescending? Arrogant? Yup! And I love it! Finally, someone that has the balls for hard debate tactics in public. And like Hitchens, who doesn't turn the other cheek, I'm sick and tired of walking away from or giving false respect or meekly stating my side to condescending and arrogant theists. So, many times I return the sentiment.
A simple example of returning arrogance is:
Xtian: There is only one god.
Me: That's the epitome of Christian arrogance.

Simple as that. And if they want to step further into the debate world with me, I'm happy for them....even though...I am nearly sure it won't make one bit of difference to them. But at least I stayed my ground, in their face as theirs in mine.

I get the biggest kick and satisfaction in watching Hitchens debate. Smug, arrogant, condscending, regular Joe...and right. He knows he's right, we know he's right and when you look at the faces of some of his debate foes, they know he's right (at least in certain circumstances or issues). The Dawkins intellectual type of stuff is all fine and dandy. But in Hitchens, the regular atheist off the street will connect much quicker, and we need that here in the worst way.

My opinions...of course...

[Tank]

Hitchins is very much a 'Marmite', character. There are times though when it's good to have a storm tooper up front.

[MinnesotaMike]

Perhaps I'm naive, but the goal isn't to win debates, it's to win over people. Grabbing a theist by the metaphorical balls and getting into a big argument is not the proper way to do so. Talk with them, figure out what exactly they believe and why, then have a rational discussion. I don't go around poking theists with a stick to see what happens, nor do I believe that's the best course of action. Even while engaged in discussion, if it turns ugly (which it inevitably will sometimes), I think its best to be the person to bring the conversation back to reason. But if they're dismissive and not willing altogether, then I don't see how it's worth the effort.

[Gawen]

Perhaps I'm naive, but the goal isn't to win debates, it's to win over people...Talk with them, figure out what exactly they believe and why, then have a rational discussion. 

You're not naive at all. But the goal to win a debate, whether on the forums or a street corner or with theists friends dictates the style you'll choose. And we may never always win a debate, but as long as we've planted that seed of doubt, it works for me.

Grabbing a theist by the metaphorical balls and getting into a big argument is not the proper way to do so.

When they grab mine, I'm grabbing back. Been there, done it.

I don't go around poking theists with a stick to see what happens, nor do I believe that's the best course of action.

I do, quite a lot. It's not a very big stick, mind you. More like a feeler.

Even while engaged in discussion, if it turns ugly (which it inevitably will sometimes), I think its best to be the person to bring the conversation back to reason. But if they're dismissive and not willing altogether, then I don't see how it's worth the effort.

That may be fine where you live. Perhaps theists in Minnesota are a bit more progressive. Down here, that's not the case most of the time.

[fester30]

I don't have time for dealing with obviously feeble-minded theists who think they are better than me.  I'm way too good for that.

[xSilverPhinx]

Holier than thou, anyone?

I think it's especially more difficult for a theist who believes that her or she has a personal relationship with the creator of the universe and existence to be humble. I admire those who can actually pull it off

I don't have time for dealing with obviously feeble-minded theists who think they are better than me.  I'm way too good for that.

Not even when they won't leave you alone?

[Davin]

I've a quick question for my fellow rationalists on here: how do you remain so in the face of incredible disrespect?

Because I have problems in knowing how to act normally in social situations, I tend to treat the people I'm talking to the same way they are treating me or the other people they're talking to. There are certain behaviors I will not perform, but the general politeness in a conversation with me is driven by the other person (with certain exeptions of lines I will not cross). So if someone is being condescending to me, I often will be condescending to them. If they insult me, I will often insult them. However I refrain from logical fallacies no matter how many logical fallacies they commit. One behavior that comes naturally to me that I rarely see others do, is that I tend to point out the logical fallacies one is commiting as well as concede when one points to my fallacies.

I'm still working on this one aspect of my behavior problems, and this forum with rules for civility helps me practice it. I've often been described as "there's just something about the way you talk that makes me want to hit you." I've received many a threat to bodily harm and even my life. So far only bodily harm has been acted upon (and not very effectively). So even though this is how I deal with it, it's most likely not the approach for most people's desired end result.

[fester30]

Holier than thou, anyone?

I think it's especially more difficult for a theist who believes that her or she has a personal relationship with the creator of the universe and existence to be humble. I admire those who can actually pull it off

I don't have time for dealing with obviously feeble-minded theists who think they are better than me.  I'm way too good for that.

Not even when they won't leave you alone?

I think you missed the point.  I was showing that I can be condescending when speaking of condescending people.  In fact, my condescension is directly related to their condescension. 

[Medusa]

Holier than thou, anyone?

I think it's especially more difficult for a theist who believes that her or she has a personal relationship with the creator of the universe and existence to be humble. I admire those who can actually pull it off

I don't have time for dealing with obviously feeble-minded theists who think they are better than me.  I'm way too good for that.

Not even when they won't leave you alone?

I think you missed the point.  I was showing that I can be condescending when speaking of condescending people.  In fact, my condescension is directly related to their condescension. 

I got the tongue in cheek. Quite funny!

[xSilverPhinx]

Holier than thou, anyone?

I think it's especially more difficult for a theist who believes that her or she has a personal relationship with the creator of the universe and existence to be humble. I admire those who can actually pull it off

I don't have time for dealing with obviously feeble-minded theists who think they are better than me.  I'm way too good for that.

Not even when they won't leave you alone?

I think you missed the point.  I was showing that I can be condescending when speaking of condescending people.  In fact, my condescension is directly related to their condescension. 

[fester30]

That is an AWESOME smiley!

[Sweetdeath]

   big sis!
In any case, I agree with fester.  For the most part, I don't waste my time or brain power attempting to convince theists of reason and logic.

[Crow]

Hitchins is very much a 'Marmite', character. There are times though when it's good to have a storm tooper up front.

So true, he is entertaining to listen to linguistically but I always get the feeling he really really loves the smell of his own farts.

[Melmoth]

how do you guys deal with it (if you find it frustrating as well)?

I try not to take my own ideas too seriously. That way, first, I can remain a fairly cool and neutral thinker and, second, I don't mind so much when people are dismissive. A lot of atheists are more emotionally invested in their world view than they realise, I think.