A question mostly for theists.

[wfatheist]

I have a roommate who is a Creationist, well sort of. He isn't like the ones you see on videos saying insane garbage.
He is practically the only sane Creationist I've ever met.
With that being said we were discussing my contempt for religion and religious people in general, and he made a statement
about how I'm letting the vocal minority ruin it for the silent majority.

After thinking about this for a few seconds I responded with:
"If the silent majority feels that the vocal minority is ruining religion then why hasn't the majority taken any action?
Why are they still silent? When are they going to rise up and stomp out the so called vocal minority?"

He didn't have a response for it. He didn't know what to say. I'm wondering if you guys can justify remaining silent,
while others use their voice to represent yours?

[Jebus]

My guess, based on your post, is that you are located in the US as religious people are no longer the majority in many European countries. Based on this assumption, I disagree that atheists are vocal and that religious people are silent. I consider the situation in the U.S quite the opposite. They have developed a culture where one can suffer negative social and professional consequences by speaking out against religion which is why many are scared to speak out. However, it is perfectly socially acceptable to speak about how great God is.

[wfatheist]

My guess, based on your post, is that you are located in the US as religious people are no longer the majority in many European countries. Based on this assumption, I disagree that atheists are vocal and that religious people are silent. I consider the situation in the U.S quite the opposite. They have developed a culture where one can suffer negative social and professional consequences by speaking out against religion which is why many are scared to speak out. However, it is perfectly socially acceptable to speak about how great God is.

You don't seem to understand my question. I never said anything about Atheists being vocal at all.
Here in Jesus Land (The USA) Atheists are largely silent because of the treatment we would endure.
I've lost a job before once people found out I was an Atheist so, yeah we keep it quiet.
My post is about people claiming that it's only the minority of religious people that are zealots,
and go around making outlandish claims to make them all look bad.

[Monolith]

But if the majority agrees with the minority it means they have the same opinion. I'm generalizing but let's say your friends believes the bible is the literal truth. Then you can debate his beliefs in a rational manner. If he doesn't want to debate those than don't bother him with it.

If your friends thinks that the silent minority is wrong then why is he a creationist? Or to what extent? How does his views differ from that loud minority and is he open to debate his own beliefs?

Staying silent is his right though and you should respect it. He might not be able to justify it but it doesn't mean he can't do it.

[brimstoneSalad]

He might not be able to justify it but it doesn't mean he can't do it.

...That's exactly what that means, though.


Generally speaking, the silent majority DO agree with the minority, they usually just feel uncomfortable about the way that minority expresses those views.

Ask your roommate to explain how his views actually differ from this vocal minority. They probably don't, not really. He'll just offer some vague rhetoric, without actually identifying any clear difference.

Hemant made a video about something kind of like this about a year ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti3G7PNsGnQ