What is to be done about religion?

[ErGingerbreadMandude]

There wasn't an option to vote "let religion die a natural death, as more and more people see the massive weight of evidence against it".

So I went for "fight them on the beaches ..."

As if there isn't enough evidence now.

[Whateverist]

Whatever they may believe, everyone's beliefs are on the same plane and worthy of respect.

They're are all crackpot theories, they deserve NO respect.

Yep.  I was determined to include an option that was more permissive than I am myself.  Whew.  At least I'm not that guy.

[Whateverist]

I'm going through a phase of accepting that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
For me at least, it's making my life a lot happier and I'm improving all my friendships because of it.
I know how sucky that sounds here on this forum.
I'm not against trying to steer someone in the right direction with innocent questions without giving them my forced opinion.
And when an opinion is forced on me I feel thoroughly shielded by saying that I'm entitled to my own.
Although I can't say how long that will last. :-)

This gets at the crux of the matter for me.  Ultimately I just have to put the autonomy of the other person first.  Of course they're entitled to their own opinion.  Then, if we want to discuss it, I will only give feed back so long as it is welcome regarding internal consistency and points of agreement or the lack there of.  If people are going to change their mind that is their business.  Sometimes you make that easier for them to do just by listening well and giving empathetic feedback.  I know when I feel pressured by a salesperson it only makes me want to get away, it actually makes me want to argue against them if only to maintain my own equilibrium.

[Silver]

Fight fight fight!

[robvalue]

It sounds like my attitude is actually the same as some of you guys who voted lower on the intensity scale.

Does anyone actually go around getting in people's faces about this stuff, unprovoked? If they do, they should stop it right now.

I suppose "speak up whenever possible" is a bit strong. I should change that to "whenever appropriate".

Also, I'm all for improving religion as well. I'll take watered-down crap over fundamentalism any day.

[Athene]

Too bad CL's taking a break. 
This would a useful addition to the dossiers she keeps on all of us. 

[little_monkey]

It sounds like my attitude is actually the same as some of you guys who voted lower on the intensity scale.

Does anyone actually go around getting in people's faces about this stuff, unprovoked? If they do, they should stop it right now.

I suppose "speak up whenever possible" is a bit strong. I should change that to "whenever appropriate".

Also, I'm all for improving religion as well. I'll take watered-down crap over fundamentalism any day.

I don't believe in getting purposely into one's face over their private beliefs. But when their beliefs sneak up into the public arena, particularly in the political arena, I cannot stand by and let it happen. Sooner or later, these nutjobs will be in control of the agenda, and history abounds of what can happen then.

[robvalue]

Oh yes, indeed. Speaking out publically to criticize terrible ideas is what we need. If no one does this, then those with a devious agenda are more likely to get away with it.

This can be done without grabbing one hapless theist minding his own business and bellowing in his face

Again, it's about being heard without being obtrusive. It also presents a much better image of atheists when they are being reasonable and not bullying people.

[little_monkey]

Oh yes, indeed. Speaking out publically to criticize terrible ideas is what we need. If no one does this, then those with a devious agenda are more likely to get away with it.

This can be done without grabbing one hapless theist minding his own business and bellowing in his face

Again, it's about being heard without being obtrusive. It also presents a much better image of atheists when they are being reasonable and not bullying people.

Unfortunately that is unrealistic. Religion carries its own morality, and the adherents to that religion will insist that their "morality" become the law of the land. In a society in which everyone belongs to the same religion, that will cause few conflicts. But in a society of plurality where different religions and non-believers have to abide to the same moral code, that will inevitably lead to conflict.

[robvalue]

I don't follow.

I wasn't claiming that speaking out against things will solve all the problems. Just that it will help, over time, to hopefully sway attitudes. Such adjustments can take many generations.

I was contrasting this with bullying individuals into compliance, which doesn't help at all.