Just because they have not read, or cherry picked there book, does not do away with the terrible things that is in it, or is a part of their religion. I hear all to often that they are a nice person, ok , but I am sure so are some members of the k..k.k. . Some may say thats not a fair analogy. while I think after reading the bible several times, that it is. the bible is worse than the kkk creed.
You presuppose that they are not all cultural believers. Take a look at the map of religions. If you are born into a Presbyterian family then its 99% certain that if you are religious then that
s the one it will be. The same as Baptist, Catholic, Mormon or Muslim. Yes some do convert but how many ex Lutherans do you know that have become Coptic or Greek orthodox? It is just as cultural as which sports team you support. I heard Richard Dawkins explain this in a TV Christmas lecture (I sh*t you not it was brilliant) to a whole load of kids. Religion is a mind virus because of it
s geographical clusters. Unlike science which although there may be differences of opinion amongst scientists does not adhere to cultural or geographical bios.
I consider myself a cultural Jew. Not related to religion.
Someday we'll be able to stand up in a crowd and say we're atheist or agnostic. It's moving in that direction now. It starts with a forum like this. Then this forum becomes the place where we can say we originated from. It will become noted as the popular starting point. Cool!
How did you deal with agnostics?
@MichaelSpinler I am convinced that both my sister and my daughter are atheists. However, my sister goes with "spiritual," and my daughter goes with "not religious." I think they are both afraid of the stigma. Not always, but I think she still sometimes says her mom is "not religious."