Reply #24: I was a

[rrneck]

liberal tractor jockey in the south until me, my guns and my accent went to graduate school and got an art degree in the north. I've been called everything in the book by everyone from both sides of the issue. It isn't fun. But then again, I feel like I have gained a lot of perspective, even at the price of a thrashing about the head and shoulders.

Right now there are a lot of religious jerks out there who are giving religion a huge black eye. They are damaging the very warp and weft of this country and have been for several decades. I have to admit that I have very little tolerance for organized religion in general for that reason. But I also have to admit that, while they seem to be the majority right now, they won't be forever. The notorious Charles Colson once said (as I recall, this is a paraphrase), "Churches are either being corrupted or persecuted, and right now they are in a corruption phase". That is not to imply that all churches are corrupt, or all people of faith mindless sheep brainwashed by corrupt organizations. But enough of them are to make everybody look bad.

Does that mean that it makes sense to judge organized religion obsolete, unworkable, useless or just plain wrong? Of course not. It is impossible to be human and not have faith. Impossible. Where people of similar understanding of their faith gather, they will create a religion. It is as fundamental to humanity as breathing.

If I could offer some explanation for the guff people of faith get from those who think they don't have it, try to remember that atheists have been a persecuted minority in this country since its founding. This appears to be a sort of haven for them. You're gonna have to listen to a lot of crap. But I would like to think that's not an entirely bad thing. We, to my mind, should have our beliefs challenged. Religion, to my mind, should challenge us more than anything else. Especially our own religion. And we should challenge it right back. As far as I am concerned religion is not a panacea, a refuge, or any source of comfort at all. Those are too easily turned into products. Religion is hard work, if it's done right. It's a fair bet the more uncomfortable it is, the better it's working.

At least that's my two cents. Now if you'll excuse me I'll just put on my asbestos underwear...