For me, a combination of things.
First, I realized that there were no tangible or intangible results from the rituals. Second, as far as evidence, second- and third-hand accounts written 150 years after events and compiled by self-appointed "experts" are inadmissible. Third, it sickens me that people have either knowingly or unknowingly used religion to shield them from criticism, saying things like "god told me" or "this is what god wants." Fourth, I have to chuckle when preachers get up there and say things like "god wants you to be happy" and "god loves you" as if they just got off the phone and are relaying the message for us.
So the whole thing adds up to a fairy tale, carried over from days when science wasn't there to explain why things happened.
First, I realized that there were no tangible or intangible results from the rituals. Second, as far as evidence, second- and third-hand accounts written 150 years after events and compiled by self-appointed "experts" are inadmissible. Third, it sickens me that people have either knowingly or unknowingly used religion to shield them from criticism, saying things like "god told me" or "this is what god wants." Fourth, I have to chuckle when preachers get up there and say things like "god wants you to be happy" and "god loves you" as if they just got off the phone and are relaying the message for us.
So the whole thing adds up to a fairy tale, carried over from days when science wasn't there to explain why things happened.
