Dubstepped, I was apprehensive about posting here and but my experience so far has been rather mild. The scenario you described is the norm. The loudest voices tend dominate, but that isn’t proof that they have convinced anyone. They have only caused believers to be more careful about where and how they share their beliefs.
I personally don’t mind the questioning. As many people here say, especially atheists, if what one believes is true then it should be able to stand under scrutiny. I believe that and I will do my best to stand. I just wish I had more time to answer each one. It’s questions that helps refine faith and beliefs. Even if loud voices shout, I think the believers who are lurking or reading along may gain something from the interchange. And maybe, just maybe, something will be said to make even the atheist pause.
The saddest thing to me about atheism is the way the proponents resign themselves to the same destiny as the unreasoning animals. They don’t seem to understand that man is different for a reason. We start as animals, but that is only the beginning of the journey of life. They are choosing to get off the ride before they even get to the first turn.
But it’s getting late here and I have many things to do. I want to respond to just one or two more comments and then I gotta go. Perhaps I’ll start other threads to continue discussion along this line in future days. If I do, I’ll look forward to your input.