Angry Atheists

In Principle
One reason many atheists are angry concerns how they are treated and perceived by their religious community of family and friends. By expressing doubts or simply failing to believe, an atheist is automatically put in either the "lost sheep" or "black sheep" category. This is how they are perceived and this is how they are treated.

It doesn't matter if these atheists know far more about faith than religious adherents themselves, they will still be perceived and spoken to as though they are children in rebellion. This can be very emotionally oppressive and frustrating. If you want to help an "angry atheist", counter this perception.

Method
Exhibiting "righteous anger" to an atheist does little more than portray yourself as small minded, while stooping down, out of the goodness of your heart, to save the poor unbeliever is little more than patronizing. Talk to us normally. If you want to discuss religious views, just ask us. There's no need to smuggle your beliefs into the conversation as though we'll be impressed by how natural they flow from you. In the least, gauge your audience and adjust your approach accordingly.

Back-Story
At one time, I would place myself in the "angry atheist" category. It only took a few remarks from friends and family to let me know that they had zero respect for the path I found myself on. It was also clear that some of them were just waiting for on opportunity to swoop down in my time of need and proselytize me.

This was very agitating, among other things. Here I was learning amazing things about faith and grappling with questions none of them would touch with a ten-foot pole... but I was the ignorant one, I was the one suppressing the truth for a comforting lie, and I was the one who simply didn't understand that their simplistic notion of Jesus literally trumped the entire history of Christianity and everything it could possibly represent. Yep, they knew better. Why? Because their church told them they knew better. Contemporary church rhetoric had convinced them they had reached full enlightenment without ever having critically analyzed an alternative view in their life.

I don't blame them for reacting to me the way they did. That's just how the American evangelical church programmed them. But I also can't blame myself for reacting the way I did. It was an overpowering sense of isolation and emotional oppression as I wrestled with questions which threatened to tip me over the edge of hell. I was forced to face them alone.

Over time, I managed to better accept what was happening to me and tone down my reaction. I wouldn't say it ever feels great going against the grain of a highly religious community and culture, but at least I understand why they react the way they do. They all mean well. They just don't have much experience with alternative views.