jdoe,
I certainly understand your frustration and can sympathize with the sentiment; however, what do you mean by accepting religion? I am compelled to accept its existence; most people are religious. Even if we woke up tomorrow and everyone was atheist, we would still have to accept religion as a historical fact and something that has had significant influence on our culture. Until a month ago I lived in a place where it was illegal to purchase beer on Sunday, so the effects of religion were very real, with or without my acceptance of doctrine.
Don't downplay the significance of tradition or the tug of family and community. Just after moving to NYC I took my wife to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and afterwards did a bit of shopping. She laid eyes on nearby St. Patrick's Cathedral and had to go in. I gave up the ghost at quite a young age, but went through the motions until after confirmation yet I caught myself looking for the water font in order to dip my hand and cross myself when we entered.
I certainly understand your frustration and can sympathize with the sentiment; however, what do you mean by accepting religion? I am compelled to accept its existence; most people are religious. Even if we woke up tomorrow and everyone was atheist, we would still have to accept religion as a historical fact and something that has had significant influence on our culture. Until a month ago I lived in a place where it was illegal to purchase beer on Sunday, so the effects of religion were very real, with or without my acceptance of doctrine.
Don't downplay the significance of tradition or the tug of family and community. Just after moving to NYC I took my wife to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and afterwards did a bit of shopping. She laid eyes on nearby St. Patrick's Cathedral and had to go in. I gave up the ghost at quite a young age, but went through the motions until after confirmation yet I caught myself looking for the water font in order to dip my hand and cross myself when we entered.
