Anger is (to some degree) socially acceptable.  Not crazy anger, but anger directed at a "cause" or "unjust" situation.  People tend to see it and think, "wow, so and so is so passionate."  Or if the person isn't likeable.."so and so is deranged about that topic." heh

Constant anger is a luxury mostly reserved for younger people, because once you get a few years on ya, you realize, pffffft...I'd rather spend my energy somewhere else and not allow others to control me.

My unsolicited advice? 

Don't engage.  Bad enough anger is eating one life, don't let it eat part of yours.

CHARLES, I see it is possible to be civil … so I will try to return the favor. For the most part, I agree with your “observations”, but I will add my 2 cents for whatever it is worth to you.

Anger is a sign of ignorance and usually surfaces because of one’s own frustrations at communications. It does not take a rocket scientist or a zealot of any kind to understand the difference between right and wrong, good or bad, etc. It seems to me that we should be discussing frustration (a fine line with HATE), but it is your article.

First, both you and Tova7 did not mention ME at all (almost), but there is no doubt (IMO) that I am the ‘hate monger’ in the story … is ok … BUT you could have addressed this openly towards ME so that the rest of the folks can play.

When I tell you guys I AM AN ATHEIST that pretty much does it for me … end of discussion. But not so for the religious folk I have run across here. All the things you said apply to everyone … including yourself. If you find yourself unable to understand (anger, frustration, HATE) … then you need to try and discover why. It is just soooo easy to blame someone else. When I tell you I DO NOT BELIEVE IN ANY GOD I just do not understand why this is so startling or baffling?

Not to lecture, but as you crossed articles to blast me last time, I will repeat that same post (mine) here … maybe it will help you … I hope.

Come on now ... don't even YOU see the petulance in decrying my choice if “(writing style)”?

MY LAST POST TO YOU

Exactly. I'll never understand why there is so much anger these days. As a young adult I always knew things would be hard and that I could not go around blaming the world for my problems so I would only get angry when the situation called for anger.

Teens today are always so angry; my son being only 12 is a prime example of a kid who is angry for no reason what so ever. Not all the time mind you but waaaay to often for my taste. I am always making sure he checks that attitude and make sure to control it for there are times you need to have that control.

But my biggest concern are people who debate politics and how angry they get over another persons difference of opinion. As if somehow they were unaware that not everyone would be on their side. Open minded is something that lacks extremely in this country and this tends to cause anger too often in my opinion.

Charles, this is pretty standard thinking today, unless of course you are one of those extremists ... which I do not think applies to either of us (overall). I have been disheartened with religious doctrine (and all) for some time now ... I considered myself an agnostic preferring to divorce myself from it while I decided things for myself. Late last year, I decided to look in depth on the matter and conducted much research and came to the conclusion that there just wasn’t ANY real evidence in support and many things that counter it. So I pronounced my atheism and expected to carry on but … that just wasn’t going to be the case, unfortunately.

I understand that what I have said above doesn’t apply to you … “JUST TO ME”.

The reason why politics, race, religion etc. are so volatile is because all we seemed to be allowed is to interface with (mostly) the very same people who are driving all the madness we are floundering under. The RIGHT or WRONG people … the miscreants! I do not have any problems relating to the people in my life (even my liberal family members, hehehe) because I do not play in an environment where bigots and PC reign.

And then I look at our leadership and it is preconceived that I will be entering an arena of hate and discontent … and try to arm myself properly for survival therein. Not to be contentious here and certainly having no desire to change the subject … this is exactly the brick wall I run into when I get hit over the head with bible-speak (?). I cannot use that and I cannot argue for it either … and I certainly cannot argue against it (bible) because it just isn’t allowed. And of course, I do not really care what YOUR guiding light is because that is something only you yourself can determine. I made my own decision (right OR wrong) and I try and live a good and hopefully peaceful life … and I go on …

I AM NOT your enemy, nor do I hold your beliefs against you and I would not try to change any of that even were it in my power to do so because ... that would be wrong. All I wanted was for you to show me that same respect and there should be very little we could not constructively banter over.

Let me first advise that you should not assume what other people may think of your comments and opinions. I write articles on a blog with a comment section because I am always interested in what people have to say about what I write. Otherwise I would lock the article after posting. Even the ones from people who are what some call "trolls" are interesting because they provide humor, entertainment and another view into the mentality of people.

Perhaps, but the thing is when it comes to frustration one can avoid the anger than comes with it but once you are angry, that is where the problems really start. Kinda like guns, it's not the gun that's the problem, it's the person using it inappropriately. Basically, one does not know when someone is frustrated until they show their anger, which is why I focused on the anger part on this article.

I won't deny that recent replies between us were in part the inspiration for this article but believe me when I say you are not the first person I have replied to on this site who I felt was angry during their time writing and posting their articles and even during their replies even before there was a reason to be angry. I've been on this site for many years now and without people like you to debate with (people of differing opinions that is) this site would be extremely boring (the whole opposites attract thing).

Another thing, no one mentioned hate; hate and anger are 2 very distinct descriptions. You can be angry without hating someone. I didn't address this with you directly because I felt this was a general topic worth discussing that can be applied to anyone not just a simple particular person. This allows everyone to look at themselves and decide whether it fits their way of expressing themselves or not. I don't think this can get any more open than this when the article is meant for everyone not just a specific person. I did not want this to seem as a direct attack against anyone in particular and their style.

Perhaps there lies the problem you seem to have. The fact that you can't understand why "religious" people don't get your beliefs may be that actual problem. You have this tendency of expecting everyone to get you... "end of discussion" as you say but you seem to ignore the purpose of this website. This is a blog with a comment section. A place where people "debate" their opinions on different topics. You can't expect people to listen (or read) what you have to say and simply accept it, period. That's not how it works. I would think you of all people would understand this considering you yourself don't accept people's religious beliefs. By the same token I ask you , why does my (or anyone else's) belief in God startling or baffling to you?

I'll get to that on that article. No need to double post of separate articles.

Hey, religion (the believing in God type) is not for everyone. If you choose to be atheist, more power to ya. That's what I love about this country and why I back up everything about it.

You did your research and came to a conclusion based on your beliefs, understanding and what you found. By the same token, why do you try to take away what others have concluded based on their beliefs, understanding and what they found? You don't have to like it, simply respect other peoples choice to do so.

Do you believe in ghost? If not, does your lack of belief negate other peoples beliefs in ghost? No. You can't prove they don't exist. Just like you can't prove God doesn't. Just like scientist can't prove the existence of Dark Matter even though they know it's there. Just like scientist can't prove life exist on other planets but they are sure there has to be.

It's what I like about these topics, it keeps people on their feet, thinking and looking for better ways to do things. Like everything else, these topics have evolved along the years and will continue to evolve. Regardless of anyones belief, so long as the have the right and freedom to fight for my beliefs (and probably even when I don't have them) I will continue to fight for them even when it seems things like bigotry and PC reign.

I don't understand why you think it is not allowed to argue against anything. This is not a dictatorship and no one has the right to take away your right to argue against even the Bible. I sure won't take that away from you. If there is one thing I have learned is that even amongst Catholics, points of view on religion defer and everyone reads the bible differently. if this were not try there would be no such thing as Bible Studies and the Bible would be a rule book not a guide to Christianity.

I have no beef with people who don't believe in God (or any God) so long as your morals are more or less in line with mine such as no murdering, no stealing, that sort of stuff. My only problem is being attacked as if I am some kind of evil that is out to hurt them, destroy them, etc. I don't appreciate being seen in a bad way just because I believe in something they don't. Let's not forget we all need each other here and we are all here not because we all believe in God or we all don't. Sometimes you just have to learn to accept, ignore and move on. That's what I usually do unless the debate is interesting.

For the record, I wasn't following the article referred to here.  And I really don't have a problem with someone being atheist.  Your life.  Your choice.

For the record..I was following the article(s) BT has put out and with a small exception said very little because I could see she/he wishes to argue and play the assumption game that I'm just not all that interested in playing. 

I also don't have a problem with someone being an atheist..pretty much as Tova said..actions and decisions have consequences, but ultimately it's your life, your choice.    I praise God continually for opening my eyes to Him and I know but for the grace of God...

Zeal is a wonderful thing when wed to knowledge.  Without knowledge it's a disaster. 

Humm, what can I possibly say that I will not be accosted for some sort of heresy or another? I have not found anything yet. Simply put, I do not believe in god and you do. You see none this nonsense means anything to me … but it means everything to you. All I want is some common ground so to speak where I actually have some say. I have gathered that there are some mysterious atheist plots or whatever … could you supply me a list so I can at least know what hellacious things I am supposed to peruse and believe so that I can learn to be as you would have me.

Everybody professes they have no problem with my ONE VIEW (no god, period) but it is never reflected in any of the responses made. It is like Bush “Read my lips” or Obama “I am going to fix what ails America” … just lip service and nothing more. I do not understand why my desire to discuss problems in say low income families or whatever (it didn’t seem to matter at all anyway) always ended up in some moral right or wrong (true or false) browbeating. But I do take EXCEPTIONAL exception at whatever stereotype you have most grievously blessed me with … I suppose I am responsible for that ignorance too, go figure. I try to explain ... but you will not tollerate anything from me at all.

You are an intolerant and self-righteous bunch of people and you cannot take your head out of your ass bible long enough to even discuss the people all around us ... and talk about them ... INSTEAD OF YOUR sorry asses and your ABSOLUTE truths.

Oh how wrong you are and that is one time I will with great pride and honesty have no problem tell you. I am tolerant, to a certain extent. You lack of faith does me no harm in any way just like my lack of atheism does no harm to you. I am not self-righteous in any way. I do not consider myself any more superior than I think anyone else is. I may know more about certain things than other people do but by the same token they may know about things I don't. You said you worked at some kind of power plant, nuclear or something, I have no idea about what you do, that doesn't make you better than me in any way. Regardless of our faiths, or lack there of, we are all equals, even if some White, Black or Hispanic people think otherwise.

You are waaaay to sensitive. You need to step out of your "shield against religion" box and realize that the world is full of people like you who are all different. If you can't accpet that then you got some sever issues.

In answer to your question and the first couple of comments - anger as an every day emotion is normal.

Uncontained anger is a result an inability to convey your message along with an unwillingness or inability to understand your shortcomings.  Not being able to convey a message to your "opponent" may not be your shortcoming, but theirs.  But the inability to understand where the shortcoming is originating is part of the generation of anger.

While it is difficult to "reach through a computer screen", I disagree with your statement.  Indeed, the aftermath of the Arizona shooting showed us that there are many that do get physically violent from a blog - but they are usually on the left where the symptoms necessary for anger are listed above.

Well that would require them to be off the blog and be personal for it to be physically violent. But the way i see it, verbal violence can be almost as bad. I should know as my father was never physical with my mom when he would get mad but he was good at the verbal abuse.

Charles, maybe if you could explain yourself in some logical way ... it would make this less difficult.

Here we go … how wrong I am … I have no idea what you are even trying to say here? … “I am not self-righteous in any way” that so huh … then how can you possibly be the gatekeepers of all that is true (isn’t that what you have slamming me with) and the holders of all knowledge (as in I do not have any). If you have some other name for this self-righteous behavior, I would like to know what it is. … and if we are so equal, why do you good folk place just about everyone into one classification or another and why do you pretend that THEY are all equal when you yourself stated that even among your peers there are differences … and why do you use flagged key words and phrases to attack peoples words with your self-righteous theology? … If there is some logical and sensible way for you to actually tell me what it is I do not accept, I would be more inclined to talk about too.

One more time: I AM AN ATHEIST … I DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD … I DO NOT CARE IF YOU DO … and I DO NOT DO THEOLOGY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. This is not rocket science here … and all people are equal, huh? If you are tollerent of much, I have not experienced it.

PS- Do YOU still want to talk about the big Bang Theory that you believe in and I do not, foolish boy, I have no problem devoting a few minutes to YOUR article (your subject) and making a few corrections ... is up to you big mouth.

CharlesCS,

I'll open another angle of Anger by putting St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis de Sales teachings  into the mix.

Anger is a passion and a passion is a movement of the sensible appetite which produces a change in one's body. As a passion anger is good when it is subject to right reason and bad when it is not.

Our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated virtuous anger by punishing the money changers for violating the holiness of the temple.

So there is just anger and unjust anger.

Scripture teaches about anger, and several passages come to mind. The OT has "Be ye angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry, for them upon your beds." In the NT,  "Be angry, but do not sin. Let not the sun go down upon your anger."

Whatever is sinful proceeds from man's intellect and will not simply from his passion. St.Thomas observes taht one can commit a sin of anger by not controlling the vehemence of this passion. He says that reason can't prevent the origin of anger, but it can control anger.To abuse the highest of our facilities (Reason) in order to give pleasure to a passion (anger) is a sin.

Based on the Patriarch Joseph in Genesis 40:24 and the teachings of St. James, St.Francis de Sales says that to overcome the inordinate desire for vengence, we must practice meekness, the virtue which masters angry feelings.

No problem with opposing what is wrong with strict reproofs, corrections and chastisements, but the lesson  here is to do peacefully and gently. 

Got to agree here.

I thought the shooter (forget his name) got angry at the congress woman becasue she had rebuffed him at a public  meeting..he blogged about it...and planned his vengeance.