One of my problems

[Furiidomu]

Okay, well I think that you have all convinced me that churches shouldn't be banned. I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain to me why I am wrong. I suppose I just am angry, but anger obviously leads to foolishness and doesn't justify it.

I still think that there may be a need to limit the freedom that churches and religion have, and I think I will take some time now (with your replies in mind) to decipher what I think that should be, if anything at all. But banning churches is definitely not the answer.

[Eilonnwy]

Thank you. I think I am beginning to understand what you and the others are saying. I still have reservations about giving freedom to those whom may not deserve it, but I see your point.

True freedom demands that you protect the rights of those with the most abhorrent ideologies. If you think everyone who has a differing opinion to shut up, so you are free to say things without criticism, then you're not free and you don't deserve freedom. What if the pendulum swings the other way and suddenly you are told your opinions are wrong and dangerous, shut up or go to jail!

I would defend a Neo Nazi's right to spew their hate, not because I agree with them, but because they have the right to express their opinion and we have the right to criticize them.

[Paul the Human]

@Furiidomu: I spent some time as a hardcore anti-theist, so I can relate to some of the frustrations that have informed your stance. Eventually, however, I came to realize that most Christians (most theists in general) are good people and not personally responsible for the historic (and/or recent) atrocities committed in the name of their religion(s). I came to realize that the same freedom of thought that I demand for myself, is their right as well, and that I was simply being overly reactive. Peaceful coexistence is not only possible... it is necessary.

Do I think the world would be better off without religion? Yeah... I think it probably would. But I also realize that religion is not going anywhere any time soon. It has always been here and it always will be. What the world really needs is the universal acceptance of individual freedom of thought and expression. With that universal acceptance in place, no church or sect or individual can get away with committing crimes/atrocities in the name of their religion or any other justification they can come up with.

When, for example, the psychos of the Westboro Baptist Church scream "God Hates Fags!"... they are only representative of a small minority of 'Christians' and their actions should not be considered indicative of religion in general. They are simply using their religion as justification for their hatred. Without the religion... the hatred would remain. The answer is not to ban them from having a church, but to enforce the rule of law concerning their actions in society.

I do agree that churches should pay taxes, but I don't see that changing in the near future. The 'Christian Right' wields far too much power (in the U.S.) and has too much influence in policy making decisions for that too happen. The important thing for us (atheistic types) to do is to 'watchdog' that influence and be ready to cry foul whenever they try to legislate their religion upon the rest of us. It is of utmost importance to nurture and maintain secularism and freedom of/from religion.

The only thing that would be as bad as a theocracy... would be an atheocracy (to coin a word).

[Shinylight]

Atheocracy would be religion holding no power. Not atheists holding the power if that's what you meant.

[Paul the Human]

Yeah, that's what I meant. I was just failing at being clever about it. Haha!

[Minimalist]

I still think that there may be a need to limit the freedom that churches and religion have

Oh, they need to be watched like hawks. No question there. They are always seeking to have their mindless superstitions advanced to the detriment of others.