re: #9 CuriousLurker

Really? You actually think that no one who makes the choice to follow a religion “takes the time to think it through”? Do you imagine we just stumble through our days like addle-brained zombies, never questioning how we got here or wondering about the choice(s) we’ve made?

I’ll tell you what, your disdain & condescension don’t make a very strong case for the supposed civilizing, enlightening benefits of non-belief, but then again I know better than chalk up the snarky attitude of a few to all non-believers. Thankfully, there are plenty of believers & non-believers who are more tolerant & diplomatic, and who regularly display the personal ethics & critical thinking skills that are at the core of humanism.

The internet truly is the death of civility. I’m certain most people hiding behind anonymous identities don’t express themselves with your lack of civility at work or family gatherings where they have to look people in the eye. But, hey, we’re just a bunch of (largely) faceless, nameless, clueless idiots, so we have little value and you have nothing to lose by being obnoxious, do you?

I guess humility is overrated when you’re convinced you’re 100% right. It’s ironic how similar that is to the attitude of some religious zealots.

I agree with No Country, but I also agree with you. What a conundrum.

I personally think that believing in any religion is absurd, but on the other hand, I admire lots of people and count as friends, including you, who are believers. It’s not something I understand (belief in God), but it’s something that I accept and tolerate in my family and friends. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that my finding believing in a religion is absurd doesn’t get in the way of my feelings for people…unless they have proven to me that their belief in God has made them into a nutter (like Bryan Fisher and his ilk).

I hope my explanation makes sense.