Why Do Otherwise Intelligent People Succomb to Religion?

[abaris]

Come now, you know better than to cut off discussion by crying “No True Scotsman” especially when I wasn’t even going there.

I for one wouldn't do that. But your original argument seems rather weak to me. That's why I didn't reply to it the first time round. Theists claim to have values, but I often find them despicable and exclusive. Such as supporting capital punishment, looking down on the poor and needy, or going all out bigot on people not conforming with their world view.

That's why no true scottsman comes in with a vengeance. I for one despise Sam Harris or Ayn Rand, but I own up to them being or having been atheists. See, it doesn't make someone anything because you think so. What makes them is what they identify with.