[Bill Gold]

I’ve resisted posting in this thread a few times over the past few days. I feel bad that I haven’t brought myself to write something more elaborate or thoughtful to add another voice that’s similar to that of my old debate teammate, Tristan’s (oh the old days when it was Iraq, more religion, and Bush/Kerry). I just find myself not having the time or patience to be able to add my voice to these discussions in the manner I’d want to. Sorry for hanging you out to dry a little, old friend.

I just felt I needed to say a few things in this thread before I, most likely, fade back out of these topics on CD.

It’s typically considered “out of bounds” to liken people to Hitler, even if some people can see the analogy. It’s just inflammatory, and will most likely turn a few people off or piss a few people off. Talking about Hitler in a historical context (like when talking about WW2, etc.) is okay, though. I’m not saying anything about you or your ideas, Pavan. That was just for all people to take into account.

Also, I personally don’t care if our founding fathers or if the first European settlers in North America were religious or not. Most of them were, and a few of them weren’t, that’s just how it seemed to be. Justifying the encroachment of religious words at the least and ideals (anti-abortion / anti-same sex marriage) in the worst case on their religiousness is just very unsettling to me. Let’s outlaw people who work on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday (depending on your religion), too, or do other things with equally religious roots that don’t make sense to us non-believers while we’re at it. I remember the pledge of allegiance when I was taught it in public school in First or Second grade. I also remember thinking, as a non-religious person, as though I was being forced against my will to say it ("under God") everyday through Fifth grade. No one ever told me I didn’t have to say that part, and since I was forced to say the whole thing everyday, I thought that meant all of it. I was resentful. Young children should, at the very least, be told by their teachers in our public schools that it’s acceptable to omit that part if it isn’t just outright removed.

I seriously don’t care if religious people want to practice their religion. I don’t care if they go to their church equivalent once a year or if they go 5+ times per day. All I want is to be able to live my life without being treated as though I’m less of a person in any way for not being religious. That and that I really don’t want people to try to convince me to join their religion. If it’s working for you, I’m glad, but my life is good, I'm as moral as the next person, and I'm a thoughtful person. I’m fine without religion.