General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This is hard... [View all]Phillip McCleod
(1,837 posts)it's a fact that the vast majority of humanity dies in the same religion they were born and indoctrinated into, but that doesn't make it an identifying characteristic, just a tribute the power of indoctrination. as an nonbeliever i know the analogy of 'coming out atheist' is just that.. *analogous* to coming out in the rainbow LGBTQ, but *not* the same.. because religious belief or lack thereof is learned behavior, not innate. it only gets 'special' treatment because of the history of religious warfare led to the wall of separation. it's handled with kid gloves, IOW, not like the fundamental rights of an individual in the face of discrimination against them for an inalterable trait like race, gender, etc.
nobody just IS any religion. it's a learned behavior when you're a kid, and a choice when you're an adult.