But, I'm just rambling. Not trying to step on religious or non religious toes, just thinking out-loud.
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I think we all "think out loud". Sometimes it's hard to make it clear in a post what would be understood perfectly if you could hear the statement spoken. I can't imagine telling a child that has learned about the crimes of the hitlers and tuckers of the world being told that the same god that would forgive and welcome them into a heaven would punish that child if he/she came to not believe in him. Say what??? Talk about a conflicting message! There is no way to know how many people do not believe in a god, but will swear they do and just go with the flow. What atheist hasn't heard- "I don't believe all that mess either but why do you have to tell people you don't? Why not just keep it to yourself"? "Why make people "mad" at you"? In other words, "get in, sit down, hang on, and shut up". Christians want atheists to do that. No matter what lie they tell about atheists, no matter what direction the government takes, no matter who's oppressed because of religion or receives undeserved praise because of religion, just sit down and shut up. I just can't do that and I don't want it for my children or their children or theirs and on and on.