I have been reading some of the writings on your site and on your blog and I would first like to congratulate you on a job well done.

I would however like to take exception with the oft-stated sentiment that religious people aren't unintelligent. In the context of their beliefs in a sky-god, they are most certainly, in every sense of the word, unintelligent. They may not be unintelligent in everyday life, but in this case they are. By way of analogy, Let's take a look at Hugo. Hugo paints, plays several musical instruments, sculpts, writes, and does origami--all with a high degree of skill. But Hugo can't sing. He has a terrible voice. When he sings in the shower, the locals speak in whispers of the chupacabra. Would anyone refer to Hugo as untalented? Certainly not. But if I want to take singing lessons, would you recommend I go see Hugo? Again, certainly not. Because in the context of singing, he IS untalented. And if, when discussing the art of singing with Hugo we go out of our way to praise his skill, aren't we being both insincere and condescending?

Every human has some degree of intelligence. Sometimes we make use of that intelligence and sometimes we let others tell us what to think. Religion is letting others tell us what to think. If you show me someone who lets every conceivable facet of his life be dictated to him, and I will say that that person has NO intelligence--none that he makes use of anyway.

When someone says that, for them empirical proof can be found in a 2000-year-old book that has been losing battles over "truth", both scientific and social, since the day it was written, I think that we can say that in the context of religion, they ARE unintelligent. They are not using the tools necessary for intelligent thought. They are letting the views of others become their own without any critical evaluation as to the truth of those views. And that is most certainly not intelligent.

There are unintelligent theists, just as there are unintelligent atheists. However, I do not think theism is a sufficient condition for labeling someone as unintelligent.

Although I understand your argument, I think it is based on a number of assumptions, some of which are not true. Not all theists slavishly follow the instructions of their church or believe that every word in the Bible is true. Many are quite critical of what their religion teaches and have investigated their beliefs in detail. Some people are religious because, after considering the alternatives, they honestly believe that religion is the most likely alternative.

To step back in history a bit, let's look at Thomas Jefferson (one of my heroes, by the way). He was a theist, if only barely, because he could not conceive of a universe coming into existence without a deity. He believed that Jesus existed, but didn't believe in those parts of the Bible that involved magic, hence his putting together The Jefferson Bible. We certainly have more scientific information today than Jefferson did, but I wouldn't call him unintelligent for reaching the conclusions he reached, and I wouldn't call someone today who reached the same conclusions unintelligent because they do not think science's explanations for the origin of the universe are sufficient.

Continuing with this, we must recognize that people have different levels of necessary proof. I'm personally very skeptical about the supernatural and think that all natural explanations must be ruled out before supernatural ones are considered. Others think supernatural explanations are more likely. I think they're wrong but I can't prove it (as a general case), so I can't say that their conclusions drawn from these lower levels of need for evidence are wrong unless I can demonstrate that they have reached an incorrect conclusion (which, in the case of believing God exists, I can't).

As for the Bible, there are copious arguments for its historicity. For example, there is an argument that the New Testament is likely reliable because it recounts both negative and positive aspects of the early church. I disagree with these arguments (in general), but they are good enough that I wouldn't say that someone who is convinced by them is unintelligent. At most, they are merely wrong, and one can be both intelligent and wrong.

Finally, as a general rule I assume that everyone is intelligent. That way I am less likely to dismiss the ideas of others because I consider my beliefs to be superior to theirs. I'm not saying that this is what you are doing, but it might be something to keep in mind.

thank you its nice to know that im not alone . i hate that god crap.

"God crap"? Sheesh!

There is no god.

Get over it.

You're an in-your-face atheist. Stop it.

I didn't actually expect you to write back I was just gonna make my point and leave but oh well now that you have replied, I think we should'nt be placed in some sort of religion if we dont beleive in anything. It seems that no matter what you actually beleive you are always going to be classed as some religion, just like if you live in say...England or the USA you are always going to be classed as a citizen/part of that country weather you consider yourself one or not. I dont see the point in religion atall. I mean, who decided they would name people who didn't beleive in any god anyway(atheists)? All religion does is start wars. Plus I am not any kind of satanist, I just said "if any", like if i must be classed as a religion no matter what.

There are many religions and many problems I find with those religions but really I couldn't give a toss what they do as long as it dont effect me, and to be honest that's what humanity is all about, itself. Or is it just me? nah. Jimi Hendrix and Iron Maiden ('Maiden are not satanists) are freakin' awesome. Sorry if my grammar ain't that great I'm in year 9 lol

I would disagree with your extreme negative view of religion. Religion can lead to many positive things. It's just a shame that it doesn't do so more often.

lol! I love it! I am Wiccan and often get "grouped" into the label those "Good Christians" give people who believe outside THEIR little box. My mom, being a good Christian, is abusive, had an affair with the neighbor, withheld medical treatment for us kids, and worries more about what people think than what her children needed or wanted.My dad, a good christain, is a child molester( he shoulda been a priest) Another good Christian- catholic, in fact, bluntly asked me for a specific sexual act ( I was a waitress and friend of his wifes) because I looked spunky and his wife wouldn't do that for him. OH did I mention, he was a friend of my husbands also? Oh wait! He could go say his Hail Marys at confession and viola' God forgave him and he was sin free! Asshole. As long as these "alledged" christians go to church on sunday, it is a free for all 6 days a week!! They rarely follow their own commandments their god set forth, rarely refrain from judging people.ah isn't tha t their Gods job? AND how can mortal men pretend to have a direct line to god because they have a degree from college??? I have a degree for corrections officier.does that mean I have a direct line to Satan or God or anyone??? Nope ahhh DUR! I live as morally, lovingly, helpfully and judge little ( I am human) but I do believe that there are many demi gods and one super being, by the way, both male and female. The bible was revised so many times to suit human/mens wants and needs..nice story kids but come on, wake up get real and there are more than 1 day a week to become a good person! I support this site, altho- I do believe in my Gods, I understand your points and back all you atheiests 100%..free choice. I believe it is the open minded and those who have a free mind and open eyes that see that Christians are merely those that need to PROVE to themselves they are good..actions speak louder than words...I see no actions to support christians are good daily..never have. I w as almost burned alive in my home with my children because a bapti minister called me a witch and the bible states "thou shall not suffer a witch to live" This was in a small MI. town in 1989.Back in the day of Jesus a witch was one who poisoned wells to get back at their neighbor. King James the crazy SOB wanted all the gypsys dead so he incorporated the death of all witches. Killing is a commandment since when? By the way..all you christains can we wiccans have all our own holidays back and YOU make up your own????

The problem, as you point out, isn't that Christians are more immoral than any other group, but that they sometimes seem to say, "I am a good person because I am Christian, regardless of my behavior." I can't help but think that the Protestant belief that God doesn't count good behavior toward salvation only makes the situation worse.

I would say that all those people who say that religion is the only true source of morality have an extra obligation to demonstrate the morality they profess. It is tragic that there are so many who do not do so, but still condemn as immoral those of us whose morality is not derived from Judeo-Christian scripture.

I grew up Catholic, and although I remember being taught the Ten Commandments in Sunday school, I don't recall any significant attempt to look at how they should be applied to real life. I am going to post your note on my blog and ask any Christian readers who happen to see it to let us know what kind of moral education they have had.

One last note – I'm not going to completely sympathize with your desire to get holidays back from the Christians. I'm an atheist with a tendency to co-opt Christian holidays, and I don't want to have to stop (even though it does irritate some of them).

I was looking at the FAQ and laughing at the really lame/dumb questions people were asking, I liked the way you answered them, I probably wouldn't call myself an atheist, if anything im a satanist (probably spelt wrong) but I still get annoyed when idiots who think everyone should beleive in god start rambling about bullshit and how the bible is proof when anyone could have wrote it. God is probably just to comfort humanity. Plus I think ill mention that I dont have rights and responsabilities with whatever religion I am, I dont see why people want to know what happens when we die. Why ruin the surprise?

There are, in general, two kinds of Satanists -- religious Satanists (who worship an actual anti-God) and atheistic Satanists (as in the Church of Satan, who in a sense just say they worship Satan to annoy Christians). You sound a little bit like the latter, but should read up on it before making any decisions.

Some people believe that the Bible has an amount of historical value, and there are indeed some things written about in the Bible that can be verified historically. I don't think it can be relied upon as evidence of the supernatural, but even so I would not say someone who thought it had value was necessarily "rambling about bullshit." The Bible's origins are quite complex, and I don't think it should be dismissed so disrespectfully even by those of us who suspect it's wrong about a heck of a lot.

Regarding rights and responsibilities, I'd say that you have those no matter what religion you belong to (if any). For example, you have the right not to be punched in the face for no reason, and the responsibility to not try violate this right in others.

Thanks for writing!

"If the thinking person is an atheist" is a tautology.

I disagree. There are plenty of intelligent theists.

Perhaps the argument that there is or is not an actual god is somewhat misplaced. God is most often placed in the minds of men as a substitute for the fear and lack of understanding brought on my things we do not understand. It also is a banding of the brotherhood of those too stupid or uncaring to study that of which they know little about or are frightened by. Snakes, poison frogs, earthquakes, fire, and other dangerous natural wonders promoted this original god concept. "It can't hurt me if I worship it".

Whether I am intelligent enough to understand it or not, I am afraid, so I have learned from my ancestors to make the appropriate supplications that I hope will keep the demon black pig from brutally attacking me. Such is the original cry of the worshipers in forest tribes where white man has not brought their special sins of Catholicism or Christanism for others to suffer under.

However you dish it, pan it, seal the vice, or push bad religion, it's all the same. Our group hates your group because you don't like our god. C'mon man... get into the information age. Goddites have been responsible for nearly every war...and for sure the bloodiest ones. Is this your god? Perhaps you chase another beleif? What difference does it make when the head on your wall matches that of the other tribe.

Now, instead of taking the belief road, how about opening your mind and dropping your foolish superstitious beliefs while you look with open eyes for the truth. Truth seekers have no wars because they don't have idols to protect. If you discover a truth, they will be happy to hear it from you so they can evaluate it in private and return to you a small gift, an improvement on your initial hypothesis. No stealing, no demanding, no greed, no desire for power, just a simple but intense search for reality.

Where is their god? Isn't one... Don't need the crutch cause he's got a brain. A difficult thing to develop unless you carefully choose an intelligent atheist wife and raise children so they can learn and don't fear the idiot bead pushers.

Yes, I am absolutely down on religion. It holds us in the dark ages and is 100% folly. Strange how few have the brains and the whavos to admit that religion is little more than a large stupid club of idiots.

Could I invoke a law it would ban all religion. Those caught worshiping a book or a stone or a ghost would have to report for two years of incarceration in an atheist camp where the good folks would politely wash that bullshit from betweeen your ears, open your mind, and teach you to say "What's that?" then how to find out.

Best way to state it is that religion is like a huge red nipple where people who need attachments over understanding can suckle away in public. There you could look as silly as you do in church.

I love to open a church door, walk inside, and facing the preacher, go into my understanding of the five contenders for the job of Jesus, and when completed, ask it that would change anything if Asklepios got the job, or maybe Hercules or the very popular Dionysos. Of course not they say, they would still worship Jesus. Bullshit! I say. Jesus could have finished fourth or fifth in this popularity contest. You wouldn't even know of him--just as you had not considered these others who demonstrated similar miracles. But think? Not these religious guys. They are fine as they are. They know where they stand now and who they hate--also, they got their big dumb gang to cover their back. Thinking is more than hard, it's scary too.

Somehow, they are better off dead and He, he,.he...with their idiot fucking god.

Even if I use my best powers of logic and consider the relative sizes and shapes of solar matter to be little more than more visible atoms of a much greater scale, perhaps we are children of a god...of sorts. This universe might just make the atomic level construction of a small part of our god. Maybe we exist to be a small part of his anal spinctor and our position is to tighten that spinctor so we don't get shit-on. Then we would really be doing our job for god, wouldn't we.

Think about prayer... What a bunch of crock! I once prayed every day for a new Cadillac. Prayed and prayed and prayed--every day, every night, all the living day and half the night for twenty six years steady. And, my belief was strong too. Damn strong. Did god give me a Cadillac? No, I had to drive a broken VW bus. Now you tell me about the power of prayer? Hmmmm? Bunch of crap. I tried and I guarantee that god crap is bullshit for suckers in the second gang. The damn catholics are the first gang--get 'em!

[name deleted]
Proud former methodist minister.

You know, I really hate letters like this. They sound like a rally cry to some atheists, they reaffirm some theists' preconceptions about atheist intolerance, and they don't convince anyone of anything. If your point was to let off some steam, you met it well -- but any larger point got buried in the process.

Let's look at a few things here.

You start off by saying that religion is a substitute for fear and lack of understanding. You then say that it's a mark of people "too stupid or uncaring to study that of which they know little about or are frightened by." So are you saying that if people do not understand modern scientific explanations for the universe they are either stupid or willfully ignorant? That's a pretty broad statement -- particularly since some of these issues (how life began, what set off the big bang, some details of evolution) are still debated by scientists themselves. I wouldn't call someone who doesn't understand how the big bang could have started stupid.

I also wouldn't call someone stupid just because they feared death. Or had a feeling that "there just has to be something out there". These are common emotions, and I'd say it's a bit arrogant to look down on those who can't easily get over them.

And what if someone was, say, a minister and then had a change of heart and became an atheist. Would you say that such a person was stupid but got better and isn't stupid anymore? If so, I think you need to reexamine the definitions of "stupid" and "ignorant."

You say, "Goddites have been responsible for nearly every war...and for sure the bloodiest ones." Well, yes, most of the people involved in war are religious, but then most people are religious. But are you saying that religion has caused most wars? Even in modern times? World War I, Vietnam -- both pretty big and, I think, not terribly religious. Going back through American history, I can't think of a lot of wars that were really about religion. World War II had a gigantic religious element (obviously), but I would argue that if persecution of the Jews hadn't been available, Hitler would have come up with another rallying cry for his insanity. And I don't think the U.S. put Japanese Americans in internment camps because of their religion.

"Truth seekers have no wars because they don't have idols to protect." If I recall correctly, Marx also thought that removing religion would help remove the impetus for greed and violence, but I don't think the Soviet Union invaded a lot of countries in God's name. You sound like you think there are no atheists in prison, and I don't think you'd want to have to defend that point.

"Don't need the crutch cause he's got a brain." Very nice. And you follow that up with, "A difficult thing to develop unless you carefully choose an intelligent atheist wife" -- thanks for implying that whomever you are speaking to is male and that it's the man who does the choosing in a relationship.

Yes, religion can hold back progress. Yes, it can perpetuate ignorance. But saying that it's "100% folly" is, again, overly broad. There are benefits to religion for some people, and I wouldn't call them stupid for valuing ceremony, community, culture, or tradition.

Outlawing religion? Do you really think such a thing would be moral? Is it any more moral than legislating the "correct" religion or requiring that everyone at least have some kind of religion?

After some more bitterness, you end with a complaint that prayer is stupid because you prayed for a Cadillac and didn't get it. Can't you come up with a better argument than that? I doubt that there are a whole lot of religious people who would say with conviction, "anyone who prays for a Cadillac gets one!" It's a complete straw man.

You close with, "The damn catholics are the first gang--get 'em!" What's with singling out Catholics? You mention or refer to them several times. I'd think that you'd want to first go after, say, a religious group that blows innocent people up in God's name. Or maybe one that was trying to get laws passed to insert religion into science classes. Catholics just don't appear near the top of my list of religions that need to be changed ASAP.

To sum up, your letter makes you sound like you have a lot of personal issues with religion and are letting them interfere with your thinking. I don't think you are truly examining the issue from everyone's perspective, but instead appear to be looking down upon those you disagree with from a position of assumed superiority. Frankly, the over-the-top language and ranting does nothing to give me confidence in your intellectual rigor and makes you sound -- I hesitate to even use the word -- stupid.

Sorry about that.

Well, I think atheists are the sanest people around. If people thought long and hard they'd realiize the absolute truth about religion and the belief in a Creator/ diety. That is, there is no discernible difference between those that believe in a god and those that manifest any sort of mental disease.

I'm quite serious about this. I wish you'd call the Atheistic Rights and Responsibilities The Atheist Bible. It's much too appropriate.

BTW: I saw an article that says 25% of Americans believe that Jesus will return in 2007. And what exactly does that prove> 90% of Americans beleive in the tooth fairy or whatever.

Although I appreciate the compliment, I think there are plenty of sane theists. These people are, at worst, wrong, and being wrong doesn't make you insane (at least not necessarily ).

I used to believe that everyone would be an atheist if they just thought enough about their beliefs. Over the years I've come to realize that there are many people who will never rid themselves of an inner conviction that a deity exists, no matter what evidence they are presented with. This is like a mother whose child disappeared a decade ago but still feels in her heart that he will return to her one day. The feeling has nothing to do with logic, so logic may not be able to touch it.

I'd be interested to see that article about a quarter of Americans thinking Jesus will return this year. The number seems incredibly high. And in any case you're right -- it proves nothing in terms of what is real and what is not (unless they turn out to be right, in which case I may have to take a slightly different direction with this site ).

god can suck my large penis

Sigh.

if the bible speaks the truth...why is the story of Noah's Arc a rip off of a part in The Epic of Gilgamesh written thousands of years before the bible?

The similarities between Gilgamesh and Bible stories don't really prove anything metaphysical, no matter how useful they are from a folklore perspective.

I don t know if there is a god, I however would describe my self as and Atheist. However, I have this to say, if there is a god he is a retarded man with a My First Chemistry Set

Also, I have one more thing to say. It seems to me that Christianity is what makes things ugly.

ok il add osme slightly more constructive comments

neway, i do not believe its possible to 'disprove' gawd, or nething else, instead the more logical approch to dealing with belief systems is analysing hte belief rather htan atempting to fight crazy magic stories and circulur logic with real logic and science

first of all people of today who werent blessed with the prevliege of seeing jebus and his numerous mircicles nor having any direct contact with gawd only hear about gawd thru people who hear it thru people why not walk back thru the chain and assess the validty of these people's claims and how stupid it would be to believe PEOPLE as a pos to anything less than seeing mircles and gawd urself?

people should focus more on why they believe something than wether or not god COULD exist, and why they should or should not believe

but as for attacking god il have a crack firstly i cant subjectivly fight the concept of an ompitiant being with out first being one, nor can i really argue agisnt an omipitant being doing say evrything the bible says such a being did.... so i wont botehr while attacking gods morality doenst disprove nething it shure raises questoins of his character if god is omipresent, then why would he doom man kind?

I agree that it's generally futile to try and prove that God exists. One can, however, argue about particular characteristics of a deity if one exists (for example, is God "good").

I disagree that it is illogical to argue against circular logic and other errors in thinking. In fact, I think that the best defense we have against the advancement of untrue ideas is to help people who have little experience in thinking through their philosophy and beliefs in a logical manner or who have beliefs that contradict themselves.

You talk about arguing against belief based on the reports of witnesses. Certainly that is a valid argument (although I would never use the word "stupid" to describe people who have belief for these reasons). However, you should be very careful about how you apply this argument, since it can easily be used against you. For example, why should you believe the reports of a scientific experiment if you haven't done the experiment yourself? I think a far better tactic would be to point out that extraordinary claims (such as miracle) require extraordinary proof, and that the kind of reports we have of Biblical miracles do not live up to that standard.

I agree that it is important for people to think about why they have belief. Reasons for belief do not tell us whether or not religion is truth, however.

I don't see how you can say that you can't argue about whether or not an omnipotent being exists because you yourself are not omnipotent. We can discuss the possibility of an infinite universe without being infinite. I agree you can't argue that an omnipotent being couldn't have made all the things in the Bible happen as written (so far as they are logically consistent). I also agree that God's morality has nothing to do with proof of His existence, but I don't understand what you mean when you say that an omnipresent God wouldn't doom mankind. To me, these are not related concepts.

I must say i am impressed with your site yet heres the rub i can only look at your opinion and point of veiw and those hateful people who send out hate mail but how can anyone tell which is bullshit i know you encourage others to seek out research on religious or philosophical veiws on their own but how can you make a real point to any one with out doing it yourself. Show poeple the religious fanatics are realy the crazy ones merely asking themselves the question have you accepted christ when they lean over you with those judgmental eyes. People need to see that religion is no longer spiritual when used to control people with sensless riturals and in fact when they are no longer spirtual and only ritual is when the have become a cult

In the area of religion, it can be difficult to sort truth from falsity because the concepts can be very complex and, in some cases, untestable. I would say that the first step should always be to make sure that a religious system follows my two rules for acceptable belief (it doesn't contradict itself and it doesn't condemn others who use the same thinking). If it does not, then it is probably in danger of falling into the "bullshit" category.

I have repeatedly pointed out that it is not the fact of being religious but the actions of one once they are religious that I consider most important. Anyone showing fanatical behavior — whether theist or atheist — is a problem in my book. And anyone using a system of belief (religion, prejudice, politics, etc.) to control others is also a great danger. My hope is that by encouraging people to think for themselves that they will be able to build up defenses against such things.

I disagree with you a bit about rituals, though. Many people find rituals comforting or consider them to be important landmarks in life (such as a wedding). So long as a ritual isn't being used to substitute for thinking or to placate those who might otherwise question, I don't have a problem with them.

I am an athiest and have been for as long as I can remember. I guess I fall into the anti-religion category without really meaning to. After reading some of the correspondence on your site I have come to the conclusion that I perhaps need to learn to be more tolerant. However I am at a loss at how to do that... I don't get into religious debates because it irritates me that people can think so completely without reason. I strongly object religion being involved in science and law, or being taught in schools. I am comfortable with that and feel that is a rational standpoint however I my problem is that when I meet someone who is religious I immediately consider them stupid! I can't seem to help it. Perhaps technically they may be brilliant but who could be bothered with a conversation with someone so obviously unable to think for themselves? Even when I like the person to begin with I automatically lose respect when I learn they are religious. I cringe when I hear myself sayin g this stuff because it makes me close minded which is the exact thing I have a problem with. Do you ever feel this way? I tend to think fairly rationally so I need logic to come to a conclusion or adjust a thought. Given that, I have decided that I won't be convinced that a God exists any time soon, and I'm not entirely convinced that religious people completely believe their God exists. so I have decided that the best way for me to stop stereotyping our religious friends as stupid is to stop debating the existence of their God and try to understand why they might choose to be religious. So can you help me at all? Do you have an understanding of why a person might forgo rationale and believe in God? What is it they crave that religion gives them? I don't think I have ever met someone who was athiest who became religious but they would be great to quiz about why they developed beliefs, what could possibly have triggered a change like that?

First and foremost, know that you are far from alone. I have spoken with a great many atheists who feel exactly like you do. These are human feelings and nothing to be ashamed of. But because they are human feelings, atheists are not the only ones who have them. For example, there are a great many religious people who think that atheists are "stupid" to believe as we do and can't understand how we can not believe in a god when they think that their god's existence is so obvious. This is why it is so important for us to learn to understand each other even when we don't agree on many subjects. This is why you have taken an important step by trying to grapple with this issue.

There's nothing wrong with not getting into religious debate. Some people like to discuss religion (or politics or social problems or history or conspiracies or fringe science, etc.) and some people don't. This is just a matter of personal taste. But remember that when you say you are irritated by religious debate because religious people are thinking without reason, remember that some of them may feel the same way about you. Also, as you read through the discussions on this site, I think you'll see that there are a fair number of religious people out there who are quite intelligent and reasonable. That they don't agree with atheism may be a matter of difference of opinion or of honest ignorance -- neither of which is a sign of stupidity. (As an aside, I completely admit that there are many religious people who are willfully ignorant, pig headed, or just plain unthinking, but I've also met many atheists who fall into these camps.)

There's also nothing wrong with thinking that religion should be kept out of science, law, and schools. Nothing that isn't science should have a place in science. There are too many fundamental disagreements about morality from a religious perspective to allow religion to dictate law. And religious education is best left to parents and religious educational establishments. None of these beliefs make you intolerant of religion, since none of them are anti-religion.

Personally, when I learn someone is religious, I don't automatically consider them stupid, perhaps because I have met so many religious people who are not stupid at all. I admit that sometimes I am disappointed when I learn someone is religious, but that is an emotional (as opposed to rational) reaction, and likely stems from the wish we all have that those we like be much like ourselves. On the other side of the coin, I have had the experience of telling someone I am an atheist and having them respond, "Oh, and you seemed like such a nice person." So it appears that atheists aren't the only ones who can have difficulty in this area.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you suggest that a way to get around this problem is to try and understand why people are religious. I'm going to give you my take on this, and warn you (and those who will read this online) that this opinion is completely from an atheistic perspective and therefore of necessity biased.

So, here we go -- why are some perfectly reasonable people religious. I can think of a number of possible reasons:

1) They were raised religious. This may not seem like much of an explanation, but for many it is sufficient. Lots of people who are raised with religion have theism so firmly ingrained in themselves that there's no way it's going anywhere. Even if they do come to the conclusion that there is no necessity for a deity, they will never shake the feeling that there is a deity, and that's what makes the difference.

2) They have an emotional need for religion. Some people cannot be content unless they "know" that there is something after death, or that there is a great master plan, or that there is a divine purpose to their life, or that they are loved and will be taken care of, or that there is a reason things happen, or that the universe can be easily explained, or that there will ultimately be justice in the world, or that miracles happen. Others have turned to religion for comfort while struggling with personal tragedy. These people may gain more from religion than they might lose by rationally examining their beliefs.

3) They believe that a deity is the best explanation for the universe. I think that science will be able to fully explain the origin of the universe without resorting to invoking the supernatural. I also think that scientific theories should be exhausted before we start assuming gods. Some people do not agree. They think that there are things beyond the reach of science, or that science has already proved that a deity is necessary. This is just a disagreement on a scientific subject.

So why shouldn't you look down on these people? Because you can't blame someone for how they were raised, for trying to fill their emotional needs as best they can, or for disagreeing with you about the necessity for the supernatural. Can you be upset if they say that anyone who was raised with different beliefs is a bad person? Sure. Can you be upset if they say that anyone who can deal with no life after death deserves to burn for all eternity. Yep. Can you be upset if they try and make the supernatural part of science education? Definitely. But these things have nothing to do with why someone believes in a deity, only with how they let their belief influence their actions.

Before we go any further, I should point out that someone could be an atheist for any of these reasons as well. You could have been raised an atheist. You might find comfort in a world without the uninvestigatable supernatural. You might believe that science proves atheism. I would say that none of these are rational reasons to be an atheist, any more than they are rational reasons to be a theist. But I don't look down on someone just because they feel this way. (By the way, I have seen people turn from atheist to theist based on both reasons #2 and #3 above.)

You mention not being completely convinced that religious people believe their god exists. This is not surprising. I have spoken with religious people who do not believe that the ancient Greeks really believed that their gods existed. I think this is because it is difficult -- and maybe a little emotionally threatening -- to imagine that someone might be as intelligent as you but have a radically different world view. Think of it this way: let's say you are a guy and your best friend (also a guy) is in love with a woman so incredibly annoying that you can barely be in the same room with her, and so unappealing that you could never find her physically attractive. Is it possible that your friend is correct when he says that he loves her, enjoys being with her, and wants to start a family with her? Sure it's possible. You can't for the life of you mentally put yourself in his shoes, but that doesn't mean that he is necessarily insincere.

I hasten to point out here that no all religion-based behavior need be tolerated. You don't have to put up with a religious person's abuse of your beliefs. You should certainly defend yourself when people try and use religion to discriminate against, abuse, or put down others. And you don't have to respect someone -- whether theist or atheist -- who thinks that a "discussion" involves yelling, calling names, and disparaging those who disagree with them.

Hopefully I've helped you see that religious people shouldn't be looked down on just because they are religious. Where do you go from here? I have three suggestions.

First, it doesn't sound like you enjoy debating religion, so don't go looking for debate. But if someone starts a discussion with you, don't automatically turn away from it, either. If someone says they have a scientific proof for God's existence, instead of debating their science, ask them if this proof is their reason for believing in God, and if they'll become atheists if you disprove it. If they say no (and they almost definitely will), ask them why they are religious. You'll learn more about their beliefs, and since an honest answer will likely have more to do with emotion or upbringing than science, there will be no reason for you to think them foolish. At worst, you will disagree with them, and there's no shame in that.

Second, if someone asks you why you are an atheist, tell them. Many religious people think atheists all "reject" or "hate" religion, as opposed to just having nothing to do with religion. Tell them that (assuming this is true) you have carefully examined your beliefs and think that the atheistic view is the most sensible. If they want details, give them details -- but stay out of the realm of religion as much as possible. If asked, "Why don't you believe in God?" answer that you don't disbelieve in God, you just don't believe in deities because you don't think they're scientifically necessary. From there, discuss the scientific basis for your statement, not the qualities of a being you don't believe exists in the first place.

Third, be a good atheist. Don't hide your beliefs, but don't annoy people with them or act like they're superior, either. Be happy. Enjoy life. Be good to others, charitable, and honest. Show how wrong those who believe that atheists can't be moral or happy are. If you notice that someone has said something untrue on a religious subject, politely encourage them to check their facts or examine their beliefs. If you notice someone behaving contrary to their stated religion, you might (if appropriate) ask them how their behavior fits with their beliefs. By being a good example and encouraging people to examine their own beliefs, you will not only make the world a better place for atheists, you might even make some religious people comfortable enough to critically examine their own beliefs, and for many, that is the road to finding those beliefs unnecessary.

I hope that this great flood of words is helpful to you. Please let me know if I neglected to answer one of your questions sufficiently or if there is anything else I can do.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! IGNORANCE, GREED AND HATE ARE THE ENEMIES OF THE "SOUL" SO WHY ARE THESE THREE THINGS SO PROMINENT IN CHRISTIANITY?

Some religions promote ignorance because it prevents people from questioning and therefore upsetting the power structure. Greed is a normal human tendency, and some religious people use their beliefs as an excuse for indulging this vice (because they, as good people, "deserve" good things). Hate can be used to make one group feel morally superior to another.

I might not believe that Jesus was magic, but (at least in the book) he sure wouldn't have put up with this kind of behavior.

While I am not an athiest, I understand and cherish many of the points put forth here. While I do believe there is some "higher power"(for lack of a better phrase)I dont believe "it" cares diddly squat about day to day human or extra human affairs. I cant believe that something powerful enugh to spark creation spends his time dicking around in our affairs. Any one who needs to be told by god not to kill his neighbors or diddle his or her own parent needs serious help.

You seem like a smart person. I'm surprised you bothered.

By the way here's my 2p i was watching a zombie mavie and was reminded of how religion spreads. Its like one zombie infects another.

I use to be a catholic, but i stop going to mas about 20 years ago, I really never thought if there was a god or not, I use to speak to my imaginary friend once in a while, but never to ask him for anything, also I came to realize that the fucking church are terrorist, Why?? because the fuck up our minds since we are kids trying to make us follow their doctrine buy terrorizing us with thoughts about going to hell, also after a few months of reading all about the bible, I just cant get it how people can be so stupid, people can invent a big story on how the earth was build only in a few words, while science have tons and tons of information. anyway, happy vacation and happy new year

People who believe they know the Ultimate Truth can really piss off those of us who actually do!