General statement to theists who read this.

[TheoneandonlytrueGod]

You spoke the truth, amazing post. Bottom line is, I have nothing against theists as long as they do not interact with my beliefs and attempt to convert me to some other ideology. We can treat each other as normal humans regardless of our views.

I too have nothing against theists in fact I enjoy their company. As to convert me I couldn't care less, they will not convert me (I'm unconvertible). Most converters are people like you and me with whatever foibles they are subjected to. Most are trying to do their best with what little (and I mean little) reality as they understand it.

[Brian37]

You spoke the truth, amazing post. Bottom line is, I have nothing against theists as long as they do not interact with my beliefs and attempt to convert me to some other ideology. We can treat each other as normal humans regardless of our views.

I too have nothing against theists in fact I enjoy their company. As to convert me I couldn't care less, they will not convert me (I'm unconvertible). Most converters are people like you and me with whatever foibles they are subjected to. Most are trying to do their best with what little (and I mean little) reality as they understand it.

I have nothing against my fellow humans who value diplomacy over war, whom value empathy over bullying, but as far as claims, no, I do not owe any claim blind value, and as long as humans make claims and clamor for political favors be it about religion or economics, it is foolish to ignore those things.

I value human rights, not claims. Humans whom are not violent and value common law can make whatever claims they want, even claims I find to be bullshit. But I also have the right to call that claim bullshit, not just on religion, but any claim.

If the worst any theist or atheist has to worry about is getting offended, and you make it home safely to bed at night, you are having a good day. There are BOTH theists and atheists in parts of the world, even in the west, who live in fear of harm of assholes. I don't consider myself a victim here on this website. I don't consider any theist here a victim either.

[Flavius]

I too have nothing against theists in fact I enjoy their company. As to convert me I couldn't care less, they will not convert me (I'm unconvertible). Most converters are people like you and me with whatever foibles they are subjected to. Most are trying to do their best with what little (and I mean little) reality as they understand it.

I have nothing against my fellow humans who value diplomacy over war, whom value empathy over bullying, but as far as claims, no, I do not owe any claim blind value, and as long as humans make claims and clamor for political favors be it about religion or economics, it is foolish to ignore those things.

I value human rights, not claims. Humans whom are not violent and value common law can make whatever claims they want, even claims I find to be bullshit. But I also have the right to call that claim bullshit, not just on religion, but any claim.

If the worst any theist or atheist has to worry about is getting offended, and you make it home safely to bed at night, you are having a good day. There are BOTH theists and atheists in parts of the world, even in the west, who live in fear of harm of assholes. I don't consider myself a victim here on this website. I don't consider any theist here a victim either.

Forgot who said this exactly, but as long as someone's belief resort to peaceful action, they can be as an extremist in that belief as the so please. I'm not an atheist because I despise all theists, I just hate the ones blinded by false morales and restricting their freedom for no discernible reason.

[Brian37]

I have nothing against my fellow humans who value diplomacy over war, whom value empathy over bullying, but as far as claims, no, I do not owe any claim blind value, and as long as humans make claims and clamor for political favors be it about religion or economics, it is foolish to ignore those things.

I value human rights, not claims. Humans whom are not violent and value common law can make whatever claims they want, even claims I find to be bullshit. But I also have the right to call that claim bullshit, not just on religion, but any claim.

If the worst any theist or atheist has to worry about is getting offended, and you make it home safely to bed at night, you are having a good day. There are BOTH theists and atheists in parts of the world, even in the west, who live in fear of harm of assholes. I don't consider myself a victim here on this website. I don't consider any theist here a victim either.

Forgot who said this exactly, but as long as someone's belief resort to peaceful action, they can be as an extremist in that belief as the so please. I'm not an atheist because I despise all theists, I just hate the ones blinded by false morales and restricting their freedom for no discernible reason.

If cherry picking your writings or cherry picking whom you follow leads you to non violence and equality, that is far better than using that same label to justify violence and oppression of others.

I will side with a liberal theist before I would side with an Ayn Rand atheist. I only wish my fellow liberals wouldn't fear blasphemy, because that is the very censorship attitude that leads to theocracies.

[Jeanne]

Hi Brian.

You wrote:

<<I only wish my fellow liberals wouldn't fear blasphemy, because that is the very censorship attitude that leads to theocracies.>>

I agree that the fear of making a politically incorrect statement or comment is pushing us down a path toward some type of dictatorial state.

I am waiting for the day when there is truly no religious test for elected office. Even in this century politicians are fearful of displeasing the believers of the major religions, the monotheisms. That is disturbing. I have no problem with believers who are politicians, but I do have a problem with the hypocrisy of non-believing politicians when they pretend to be pious monotheists. I understand it, but when do the non-religious or non-believers grow a spine?

A lot of little ways that we have "given in" to the theists have piled up to become what seems to be an insurmountable obstacle.

Well...I guess the answer to my own question is they will admit their "none" status when they can count on enough votes from people who examine character and experience and competence and ignore a person's religion. So...then, probably a long time coming. The "nones" have a bad reputation despite facts and truth that confirm otherwise.

-Jeanne