Reply #128: I don't think that is entirely fair.

[Selwynn]

Just because some feel that hostile attitudes towards religion "scare away" more open-minded religious folk from the Democratic party does not necessarily mean that they therefore ignore the flaws of their own religion.

For example I am extremely aware of the flaw of all religions, as I am aware of the flaws of institutions in general, beyond simply religious institutions. That doesn't change the facts that attitudes of sweeping hostility - if actually present - are indeed unfortunate and may drive away those who would otherwise be very at home in the community.

So one does not seem logically necessariy connected to the other. I tend to try and avoid polarized thinking. It seems to me far more likely that there are some "atheists" doing some lame things that they shouldn't do and there are some "religious" people doing some lame things that they shouldn't do when it comes to our community. I think trying to paint it any other way is ludicrous.