Not to be argumentative; I just enjoy discussing connotations of words.
From the
Urban Dictionary:
Ignorant
1) Lacking knowledge.
2)
Slang: Insult used to describe another
party as
stupid and/or prejudiced. Often used incorrectly as the most ignorant parties in a debate tend to call others ignorant to make up for their own lack of information or prejudices.
Yes, the straightforward dictionary definition (meaning 1) is neutral. "They were ignorant of astronomy."
But I find meaning 2 more prevalent in message board exchanges when people call each other ignorant.
I think it's most often pejorative and that people take it as such. Hence the reference in a post above to "ruffled feathers" (cause and effect of said ruffling no longer visible).
I guess they're just ignorant -- and am sure they won't mind being called that since being suitably enlightened.