The burden of proof is not on atheists who are open about their opinions

Atheists are often placed in a tight spot in which they are ridiculed for two reasons in a catch-22 like situation: they are ridiculed for being certain in their belief that there is no god, or they are ridiculed for not being sure how to explain that they don’t believe. As it is, it’s made so there is no way to win.

Believers, on the other hand, are nowadays given a pass not for being honest about their views and loudly saying they believe, but because they constantly proclaim that “atheists cannot prove there isn’t one” as a sort of a defense mechanism to avoid the very relevant question of whether God exists or not.

I am a firm believer in the idea that the burden of proof of a claim is on the side wanting the proof. The burden of proof is on the believer and it is his case to make. Furthermore, it’s pretty interesting to me that the open embrace of a religion is much more of a sweet thing and worthy of praise than somebody being out about being an atheist, respectfully but no more quiet than a believer in God. If I had said I have embraced a religion, most would think that’s wonderful. But I am not – I am an atheist and I have endeavored to be more open about it. And probably most would think I am a jerk, arrogant, or closed minded just for saying that. You might say that's part of my point.

An atheist saying there is no god is not “being disrespectful” to the believer when the two talk on the subject. The atheist saying “I don’t believe in God” is not being rude. Being rude is a separate thing and it is not unique to those certain atheists. Both sides should be able to be open and even proselytize each other’s viewpoints. It doesn’t make the atheist a “horrible human being” to say to a believer that there is no god any more than a Christian saying “there is a God and he loves you” is an oppressor.

Aside from mindless ridicule and ad hominem, the big way to be condescending and disrespectful on any side of the argument is to say “It’s true to you so go and believe what you believe”. Two people saying “You’re wrong” to each other encapsulates the idea of the respectful disagreement.