""So why do the aetheists constantly find it necessary to insult and belittle the religious - "Your invisible friend", "We rational people", "Reject such mental aberrations",""

Are you saying, BW, that anyone who is being repeatedly attacked is not permitted to defend himself?

Because that is the situation here.

All but one of the recent threads has been started to attack non believers (I don't like the term Atheist, because it has been coined and used as a pejorative).

Only one has been started by a non believer.

If you are insulted, lied about and denigrated, are you not justified in returning like for like to those responsible?

You may choose not to do so, but if you do return insult for insult, surely the offender is the attacker, not the responder.

I am, though emphatically not a follower of any orghanised religion, not an Atheist.

I think that recent threads attacking Atheists are despicable and unjustifiable.

I have the greatest respect for those, like Joe Offer, who believe without proselytising. I have none for those who start an argument so that they may claim to be victimised by responses.

Don T.