In any given controversy, the person who has the facts is the adult, and the person suffering under erroneous information is, in effect, the child. Children don't need abuse; they need understanding, and education. The enemy is ignorance, not misinformed people.

Most of them were brainwashed from birth ,and they did not even choose to be what they are ,so sure I will give them some slack ,UNLESS they attempt to convert me in an annoying manner or are overly persistent

IF they (1) do NOT mix their religion with politics, , (2) treat all people with full dignity and respect, (AND (3) keep their religion to themselves, I don't care what they do. But, the problem is that most can't meet all of these 3 conditions.

Look, I understand perfectly well when you finally begin to open your eyes and start shedding the mantle of religion that it is easy to become a "militant atheist". I get it, been there, done that, but as you age you begin to see and appreciate religion is as much culture as anything else.

Some people need their religion like Linus needs his blanket, and berating them for it is cruel and not wise of a person who supposedly has become enlightened.

Not the extremists. Any religion.

They get way too much slack. We've given them inches, and they've taken miles. We've stood by silently while they've elected a brainless child as president, and said he's chosen by God!

Unfortunately the creed of intolerant religions is not "live and let live"! Many follow a doctrine that compels them to view non-religiuos people as worthless, or a misguided danger, or oxygen thieves. So they are taught to convert us or in the extreme kill us. In the long run militant or intolerant religion can not co-exist in a culture with divergent thought. There will always be conflict. History shows this to be immutable truth.

I say we we give 'em a little more smack.

I am perfectly content to live and let live. It would be nice if they felt the same way.

Why have the buttons all shifted around??

In my book, anyone can believe anything they want - even if I think it's stupid. I would rather talk with them than fight them.

Ouch! I was only suggesting that we be nice to people who might come and talk to us.

No, no and no unless they keep it to themselves and affect no one else.

I try to cut them slack but only when they are respectful to me, if they're not then I'll either give them the silent treatment or I'll become a pain in their ass

I am from the line of thought of... "Enough rope to hang themselves". Because anything else will be slacking from our part.

One of the problems with polls is the choices limit views to a single answer, and it's not a simple yes\no question.

One thing is certain, people who are fearful to express their views can become dangerous. Putting religious views in the underground promotes extremism, which often leads to violence. We see it in all our monotheistic Faith's originating from the the God of Abraham, mostly because society and science and technology moved beyond them, and they felt marginalized, and have\are\will strike(ing) back.

I think the best course of action is to keep people who are religious involved, and allow them to have a voice in society. I think societal evolution is a process, not an event, and so long as we keep them at the table, they are exposed to what benefits a secular society can offer, and eventually as non-religious views become more popular and more the norm, most will come around to enough of an extent that their form of belief won't be damaging to society.

The last thing we should want is to keep them secluded (self imposed or otherwise), away from the societal norms the rest of us experience. I think their are people of good faith, by either upbringing, teaching, or innate character. And I think there are people who live in their own version of reality, one not nearly as real as some science fiction.

But you can't dismiss a person outright, nor dismiss a culture, a movement, or a population. We do so at our own peril. Better the devil you know, and all that.

I don't think we have to influence, debate, argue, hate, etc. those who choose to follow a particular faith. There are many reasons why, and in my perspective, it helps many to keep them from going crazy over an existential crisis. I've been there - but I've learned to cope with it.

Faith/religion is basically a way to cope, in my perspective, about the inherent meaninglessness of the universe. Lol

Slack? I don't give them anything but the same respect I give everyone. That's like them asking if they should give me slack. As an individualist I go into every relationship with someone in the same manor.

Slack in what way?

I think there's a difference between the UK and the US here.

There is a bit of conscious choice involved to live in a state of willful ignorance. So, no, I don't think they deserve any slack.

no

Why?