Hello from a new member

[northumbrian66]

Hello to all like minded Atheists. I am 67. I was a sceptic from an early age and basically agnostic until my late 20's when I went to work in the Middle East. It was there that I witnessed religious bigotry, fanaticism and ignorance in all its glory. The silly rituals; the washing before praying 5 times a day, the overt sexual discrimination and segregation, the idiotic dress codes in stiffling temperatures. The brainwashing of children from a very early age, the absolute certainty that one has to sacrifice oneself in the name of jihad so that one can fast track to paradise! It all made me realise that religion, all religion, is all about power for clerical ghouls. People who want to tells us how to live our lives. Mind you, in most cases this doesnt apply to them - they can cheat, steal and fornicate to their hearts content because they are the chosen ones!! However, I must admit that I am a moral coward. I just kept my mouth shut and took the money, indeed opening it out there and admitting my views would have probably meant that it would have been closed for good!! I retired in 2003 and was at last able to come 'out of the closet' However, even here my family could not understand my feelings. None of them are particularly religious but to openly criticise religion for them is a big no, no. When I ask why, no one gives me an answer...its just not done. Its about time all religion is opened up to rigorous debate and criticism only then will people realise how stupid it is.