So okay, I am sure this is not the first or last post like this. I was reading an editorial that someone posted in GD about how atheists are ruining the country, they are the cause of crime etc etc etc. It seems like all my life I have had to remind people that even though my morals are different from others they are still valid. At first it was, in real life, "I might be a liberal democrat but I have morals too!". Then it was "I am a scientist but that doesn't mean I lack ethics or feelings either".
Lately its been--"I might be an atheist but I have morals that I live by AND just because I am atheist it doesn't mean I think everybody should be".

I try really hard to live by the Golden Rule, myself. Something that most believers have told me is at the heart of their religion.
And I do feel guilt about things (boy do I- I have had many a sleepless night because of guilt over my behavior). Some believers (mostly fundie wackos) seem to feel that if you don't believe in God you don't or can't have a concience. Wrong wrong wrong. Even here in this forum I have seen threads that seem to suggest that atheists have never done anything to improve society/benefit mankind.
Lately in this forum theres been some conflicts which yes, is the nature of this forum. But I have really come to really resent being personally lumped into a stereotype as uncaring callous narrow minded and contemptuous of believers. In fact I really dislike the superior attitude that SOME atheists have alot. I hope to never fall into the category of believing that I am superior to a religious person solely based on the fact that they believe in God and I don't. I hate prejudice and while society seems to instill a certain amount of prejudice in us all, I try my best to work on reducing the amount of prejudices I have.

The mean cold nasty atheist stereotype,that's not me at all. I personally find it interesting to read about other people's point of view on things. If sometimes I say I would like to see proof of something..thats just me. Personally I don't see a problem about asking for proof on things..as a scientist I spend my days collecting data so it would be out of character and personally irrational for me to just accept belief in things without data to back it up. Some of us are just like that, and some aren't. I might not agree with those who aren't like that and if they wish to live their life that way so be it. But to resent me because I actually like logic and rational explanations for things is very unfair I think.
Nor do I like having people here in this forum tell me what I believe based on my label of an atheist or based on what some group who calls themselves atheists MAY be promoting. If you want to know what I believe or know ask me, don't tell me and we will get along great even if I personally disagree with your position.
Can atheists be sarcastic smartasses who jump to conclusions? Yep. I have done that more than once. And if provoked by being told by someone who doesn't know me what I believe or know I can be nasty, yes. But I do find many things of interest here and thats why I am taking the time to explain myself here. Thanks for listening to my little rant. I will get off my soapbox now.