I’ve never met such an atheist, one who simply hates the concept of any type of spiritual belief? Have you?

Personally I consider things like Zen Buddhism to more like a philosophy or a lifestyle than a “religion”. I always assumed it was lumped in with religion because there isn’t really a better term that allows it to fit into most people’s world view

To me “religion” implies a dogmatic system overeen by a fictional all powerful self serving omnipresent deity or deities

Again, these are just my personal views on the matter though

Don’t know. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t sit around mulling over how much I like or dislike different religions. I do think about when the people in those religions do stupid and evil shit, but otherwise I don’t care that much.

I think religious or spiritual belief itself is a compromise on your intelligence that social engineers can use to make you do anything they want… Which if you look at American politics is working like a charm for them.

As for “ire” generally my beef is with Christianity and the woo community, both of which promote harmful beliefs over safe practices just to live out a Harry Potter fantasy.

Speaking strictly for myself, I’ll believe anything you tell me as long as you can support it with the appropriate evidence. If you tell me there’s life after death, I’ll believe you – after you show me how you know it’s actually true. I do not accept arguments from authority, arguments from faith, or any other example of motivated reasoning. You need concrete, repeatable evidence before I take you seriously.

Not all atheists are skeptics, and not all skeptics are atheists. But they are very complementary positions.

The word “atheist” comes from “a”, meaning “without,” and “theos,” “god.” It’s about supernatural deities, not religion in general.

The way you phrased the question makes it clear you don’t understand atheism. Atheism is the default metaphysical belief. The idea of an intelligent creator is not innate; it is brought forth by people with agendas. The “ire” to which you refer is not directed at religious beliefs, but rather the conmen who perpetuate them, and the gullible suckers who eat them up.

Don’t really care about religions that are not actively not being equitable with there people. It’s when it becomes unethical inequitable and non consensual is when I don’t tolerate them. Sadly it feels like 90% of religions out there.

It’s only the idea that you have to believe certain things that I hate. It’s one of the most destructive ideas. People that hold to that idea often don’t understand that other religions don’t teach it.

That being said, there’s a certain amount of Philosophy in practices like Zen, and perhaps long ago there was even a bit of science in it.