Atheism and Anti-Theism same thing?

[God of Mr. Hanky]

Wow. WOW. You are so not responding to what I was talking about. I already agreed organized religion and what it's used for is bad pages ago. I don't agree with the Church. And I obviously don't think the actual child abuse is overdramaticized and I think it should be taken seriously. You just added another level. My main point was not in reference to anything like that. The average Christian kid does not go insane from worrying if they will go to Hell. Religion is such an average part of some people's lives that it isn't even on their mind until Sunday rolls around. That's what I'm talking about. Religion does not have these sort of effects on the average family, is what I'm saying! I'm saying when there's no physical abuse and there's no really intense indoctrination (ala Mormonism) I don't think religion is harmful. I'll say it again: spending an hour at church every week and saying grace before meals isn't a big deal. If you wanna add this whole "kids literally go insane" angle to it, fine, but now you're adding another level that just isn't present in an average case.

A child who is more or less adaptable won't go insane when indoctrinated under conditions which you still don't happen to understand. I myself am not certifiably insane, but as one who has lived with high-functioning autism since birth, religion has contributed heavily to the severe depression which I have suffered for most of my life, and depression is not a typical symptom of the pre-existing condition. Religion does harm, and that is my point!

I did not say that any great proportions of children who are indoctrinated by evangelicals are made insane by this. But when at least 1 million out of 50 million children who are so indoctrinated begin with some form of mental or neuralogical disorder, and they are treated as if they are "possessed by demons" as I was, then just keep on posting and I'll show you some more just how ignorant you are of the negative impact this has on them!

Yes, being pressured into saying grace at the table or attending church is an abuse which invites more abuse against children, beginning with the dishonesty of the whole thing by trusted authority figures. Later in life, it becomes a trigger factor which they should not tolerate as adults just to fit in and "play nice". There are far more such children than you are aware of (or willing to consider) who will become seriously damaged by religious indoctrination, evangelical ruminations on the existence of a "personal relationship with Jesus", whatever the fuck they may choose to call it. The Christian doctrine teaches children who are already troubled and scared that they are born evil, and need to be "forgiven" by an angry bastard of a god with a Mafia don personality because they have angered him just by being alive! Indoctrinating kids with this shit is extremely destructive to the self-esteem of children who take it seriously, which is common with children who are vulnerable and therefore desperate - bully for you that you didn't take it seriously, Asshole! Religion which is forced on any developing mind = abuse!

Did I say that the indoctrination of children by evangelicals makes Americans stupid? More than 40% believe the Earth was created in six days, and those who believe that generally look to Ken Ham for their "science". The overwhelming majority of Americans don't know the difference between suggestion and empirical science, and are easily detracted from considering real science with pejoratives such as "sciencism" and "radical empiricism". So, does religious indoctrination make people obnoxiously ignorant? Does it make many others who are too smart not to know better pathologically dishonest? You decide, and while you're at it, see if this raises the number of a nation's citizens who are twisted under religious indoctination by any significant proportions.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to share the rest of my life with people who make decisions which affect me based on stupid religious bullshit. If your response to this situation is really one of "apathy", then I can't imagine why you even bother hanging out here.