Scott Klarr Jr

I see you don't quite understand, its a common trait in many religious people - no offense intended, you'll see why, I'll save the offensive stuff for later anyway. The point Scott is making, if I may be so bold as to suppose that I am right and request Scott to correct me if I am wrong, is simply that most religious people didn't choose their religion. It was instead chosen for them, usually at a very young age. If you were to go off and read all the holy scriptures of all the different religions and make a reasoned case for them then I doubt many Atheists would chose to deny you, except should your logic and reason be flawed. However the reason most Atheists, those I know anyway, are against religion is because most religious people do not reason about their religion they simply take it on faith and argue it as fact. That is a problem because you cannot then admit you were wrong and makes you intransigent. Should evolution be shown by reason and/or evidence to be false pretty much every Atheist I know would accept that and alter their opinion. I cannot say the same for religious people.

Scott a question I can think of, playing devils advocate as I am Atheist myself (So bear with me as I try to be religious - I have no experience of such vile behavior), would be something like:
"If I know that the bible is flawed and has failings that does not make the text nor the ideals less of a guide to live by. I do not see my not knowing as the issue but purely request that you allow me to explore my beliefs and values. These are based on what I believe and have been taught, as your beliefs are for you. As long as I show a willingness to learn and live by the ideals shown by Jesus is that a crime?"

Now if some religious person said that to me that would floor me. Mainly because I would never expect to hear it but still. However would something like that make you stop and think?
The logic is still flawed because it would show that I hadn't read the bible - god in both the new and old testament being an arsehole and all. However the argument seems better than the usual.
Still doesn't prevent religion being a tool for child abuse and quite evidently molestation too.

I still wonder how catholics explain away that their clergy are guilty of such crimes, against children, and yet guided the herd of sheep - who then claim to be good christians while having been guided by a child molester. Not to mention that the herd confessed their sins to a child molester - oh the irony.
Why are christians a congregation when they behave like a herd or are the two terms interchangeable?

** If any part of my post offends you, try not reading it. I express my opinions and am quite willing for you to express yours. Should you or I prove too much of nut job I am sure we would be banned.

Loving all humanity (Except those who talk to themselves in hope of salvation),
Mike.