What are your favorite extinct species?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

Hallucigenia it's a relative of modern arthropods, Hallucigenia is one of the strangest creatures in the fossil record. Less than 3 millimeters long, it has a bulbous round head connected to its cylindrical trunk. Though it was previously thought that it stood on its spines, it was later discovered that the tentacles are actually feet, making the Hallucigenia the ancestor of today’s velvet worms.

Should marijuana be legal everywhere? all drugs?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

I don't smoke pot, but I would vote to legalize it, especially since cigarettes and alcohol are less healthy.

When did you first doubt religion?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

After I learned Santa wasn't real. No direct connection but once that myth fell away I don't remember giving the notion of God and thought.

Why do we dream and of what use are dreams to our life?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

Dreams are vital to a rational, stable mind. The fact about why we dream is scientifically unknown as is the purpose of sleep. (I Googled sleep and dreams to get that response)

Can belief in religion be an addiction?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

I think that's an interesting question, and I've never put much thought to it. I think you can classify it as potentially addictive, in the same way, people get addicted to porn, gambling, and overspending. It would be a mental addiction, which triggers pleasure receptors in the brain. But before we falsely stereotype religion as an addiction, does it have the negative consequences that are commonly associated with addiction? Does being addicted to religion cause families to fall apart, does it cause people to lose their jobs, does it lead to an inability to provide for oneself? Perhaps it could, but those cases would be rather extreme. What other harmful effects would need to be pointed out that would sustain this hypothesis? At the moment I can't think of any. You can't use things that the worldview holds to be true. Otherwise, you would be saying if you believe in God you're an addict and I think that would diminish the meaning of addiction significantly.

How do you respond when people say they will pray for you?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

My response to that most of the time is, thank you. I ignore the statement, "I will pray for you," I would rather just interpreted it, in my mind as I hope things get better for you. However, if they are saying after finding out I'm an atheist I will pray for you, I say, "Do what you will, nobody will stop you, but nobody is listening to you either."

It's true that every good and perfect gift is from above?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

I took a minute to read your profile page. I see you believe 100% that Gods exist. You listed most if not all, some of whom conflict with each other. I was just curious, how can you be 100% sure. What do you know that all of us are missing?

Is there anything good about religion?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

In the larger sense, I feel the bad far outweighs the good and by far, I mean if you were at the end of the line of bad things, the line looking back at the "good" is lightyears behind you. I would say a sense of community. If you're a Christian, and you need to move to a new town you're forced to leave your friends behind, but wherever you go all you need to do is join a local church, and you have an entire network of new friends. An atheist or agnostic individual must develop new friendships over time, and that can be difficult.

What evils do religions produce?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

All the prior post had excellent points. I would add that religion robs us of our humanity. I recently had a person tell me with joy in his heart that I would suffer in agonizing pain in Hell for eternity. He said he would be in heaven eating popcorn as he watched me suffer. My simple reply to him was I'm sorry that your religion has eaten away your sense of morality and compassion. Now he's an extreme example, but anyone who accepts Hell as a just system of punishment is as guilty of heartless disregard for what is morally just as this young man was.

Is religion affecting your sexuality?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

That's a relatively private matter. I'm not sure if people should or would share this on a public forum. Even if we think we're behind a wall of anonymity, we're not. However, Maybe I'm wrong, and some people want to share.

Is Secularization occurring?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

I see some but minimal movement in the US. Much of Europe has made more progress in that direction, but don't count religion out; it's pushing back.

Is "Political Correctness" becoming a religion?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

I think certain "Dogmas" are valid. Is it dogma to say that homosexuality isn't evil or a sickness? Maybe it is but is it a good idea to validate the beliefs of others who believe it's a sin by opening it up for debate? Have we not had enough debate on these types of issues to conclude that it is entirely natural? Let them whine and complain that it's dogmatic. I have no tolerance for people who openly restrict privileges they enjoy just to refuse it to people of a different mindset.

Are there some people who need religion?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

I know people who know the evidence yet still reject it in favor of their God belief. If the Bible says Jesus rose from the dead after three days, he rose from the dead and If the Bible says Noah's Ark happened then the data showing it didn't is flawed. I would say these people just want to believe. Truth be damned.

Check out 'The Secular Web' - very good info & FREE!

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

Thanks, I'll check it out.

What do you think about the VERY FAR Future of the Universe

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

Since there doesn't seem to be very many theists on this site, I'll put my theist hat on and say they wouldn't have much to say about it since an all-powerful God can do anything including stopping the universe from its ultimate fate.

Does god(s) really work in mysterious ways?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

God doesn't exist to do anything much less a mysterious thing.

"An eye for an eye" . . . will you kill other people if they are a threat to your life?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

I detest the idea of killing anyone but if someone willing to harm to another person without just cause I would kill without a second thought, especially if it were a child. I would also defend myself of course.

if I was to tell yu that everurging yu believe wasn't what yu believe what would yu say?

paul1967 comments on Sep 27, 2017:

If you told me that everything I believe wasn't true, I would say prove it. No original person pointed up to the sky and said it was blue. The color of the sky is transparent. Our perception of a blue sky comes from the spectrum of light that makes it down to our eyes. Some nonhuman animals do have language, one obvious one would be dolphins, but even dogs and rodents communicate with each other, mostly nonverbal but language isn't just verbal skills. How do we know they aren't more advanced than humans linguistically? Well, I suppose we can't completely rule that out, but I would say the evidence doesn't support that. We can look at the brains of different animals and determine the size of their brains wouldn't allow for higher communication skills. Finally, how do we know what we see is really there? We don't, but we need to function within our senses, and if you concluded that things you see aren't real, you wouldn't live very long. I'm confident you would die if you were to walk in front of what appears to be a truck heading directly at you. Please don't attempt this.

Why do religious people work on the Sabbath without fear?

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

Well if I were a theist I would say because Jesus Christ came and changed the rulebook adding a new covenant for Christians. I've debated this myself many times, but they ignore the words of Christ saying "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." The Christians claim the Old Testament law was given to the nation of Israel, not to Christians. One of the reasons was Christians were trying to persuade pagans to convert to Christianity, but many would have said I like the idea of your religion but I would rather eat a ham sandwich and some of your other laws are just too extreme. To make it easier to gather more new followers, they changed and manipulated the rulebook.

What kinds of foods do you eat (diet)?

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

I ate really poorly for too many years, every night after work I would run to a local fast food. I wouldn't eat until 4pm and I still managed to stuff down 3500 to 4000 calories every day. I ballooned to 280 lbs and my doctor said you're going to die or worse have a stroke. He used an app on his computer inputting my blood pressure, weight, age, and activity levels and it said I had a 68% chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years. That scared the crap out of me. I'm eating healthier food (Mediterranian diet) starting with breakfast and working out 4 days a week. I lose a pound a week and I still have a bit more to go but I'm down to 220. Another 50 lbs and I'll reach my goal. I'm enjoying being more healthy and I plan on living another 20 years.

I think the grand purpose to be here in the universe is survival, however, to make life more ...

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

Well said.

I like spiritual but not sure how best to describe it.

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

I've never understood the meaning or purpose of the word spiritual. Helping people is a noble and decent thing to do, but I would call that spiritual, I would call it ethical or honorable. The feeling you get inside is a sense of dignity and satisfaction.

hello everyone.

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

Hello b22ri22an, welcome to agnostic

which time in the past you wish to teleport if this was possible

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

Yesterday, so I could not have forgotten to say happy birthday to my wife. I'll be paying for that slip up all year

Which philosophical doctrine do you follow?

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

I sat and thought about this for a bit, I decided on five main doctrines I follow: 1) holism: doctrine that parts of any "thing" must be understood in relation to the whole 2) humanitarianism: the doctrine that the highest moral obligation is to improve human welfare. 3) empiricism: the doctrine that the experience of the senses is the only source of knowledge. 4) fallibilism: the doctrine that empirical knowledge is uncertain and I agree with atheist 5) Epicureanism: mental pleasure was regarded more highly than physical, and the ultimate pleasure was held to be freedom from anxiety and mental pain, especially that arising from needless fear of death and of the gods.

What is the meaning of existence for you?

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

Cogito ergo sum (I think therefore I am)

Are you an open or closet agnostic/atheist, and why?

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

Loud and proud. I get nasty looks from people when I walk around with my I DON"T BELIEVE IN GOD! T-shirt. I get stopped from time to time and asked, why do you advertise my Atheism, it's obnoxious. You got to love how hypocritical they are, and it's a little sad they can't see it. I had one person ask me why I wear an Atheist shirt at the same time she wore a shirt that said "Believe" in cursive at an angle across her chest. I had to point out the hypocrisy.

When and how to talk about religion on a date?

paul1967 comments on Sep 26, 2017:

I agree with gingervista, and I think this response comes from life experience. Why invest time money, emotions and effort in a relationship with anyone who is incompatible with who you are. That is not to say I won't date a theist, I married one so obviously, I will but I talked to her before our first date and I decided it would be worth the effort.

Why is so difficult to find a woman to date as an atheist?

paul1967 comments on Sep 25, 2017:

To find someone who is right for you is hard enough but when you're in such a minority as atheists are finding the right atheist for you is next to impossible. I have a theist wife and I just do my best to bite my tongue every time she asserts she knows God is real. She will ask me why I'm incapable of accepting Jesus into my heart. I once made the mistake of asking her why she didn't accept Thor into her heart. She sniped because he's not real. I said then you have your answer to why I can't accept Jesus into my heart.

reality check

paul1967 comments on Sep 25, 2017:

How did you conclude there is a creator or that we are a computer program? Instead of believing unsupported declaration, why not try just accept that without evidence we are better off saying, "I don't know" instead of creating artificial solutions to the question. I don't mean to be insulting I'm just direct.

Which best describes you (Dawkins Scale)?

paul1967 comments on Sep 25, 2017:

Interesting, I've never investigated this. I've always counted myself as a weak Atheist. I never contemplated the middle ground of Defacto Atheist. It was a position I held inwardly, yet I unsatisfactorily accepted the position of the weak atheist regarding it as the only other option to strong atheism. Thank you for revealing this to me.

Hey everyone, I'm Jackson, I'm new here.

paul1967 comments on Sep 24, 2017:

Welcome, I'm in the same boat as you. I live deep in the heart of the Bible belt of the US, and there is almost no place I can go where a church isn't more than a block away.

Benefits of the Belief of God and Higher Powers

paul1967 comments on Sep 24, 2017:

Religion has brought benefits such as hospitals, schools, shelter to homeless people, but none of these things are without a price. The motivations for these have always been to indoctrinate fresh new minds. The other issue is that none of these benefits couldn't have been accomplished within a secular culture and done without indoctrination.

Is there a meaning of life?

paul1967 comments on Sep 24, 2017:

Meaning is personal and everywhere.

How do you make life meaningful without the help of religion?

paul1967 comments on Sep 24, 2017:

Learn, the more you know the more meaning you will have.

Is Reality Real? The Simulation Argument - YouTube

paul1967 comments on Sep 24, 2017:

Could I be just a part of someone else's mind or just part of a computer-generated program called life? Yeah sure it's possible but like Atheist said I have to live life as if it's not. Kinda hope it is because that could be cool

If there is a god is he universal or only bound to be the god of earth?

paul1967 comments on Sep 24, 2017:

There is no answer to the question. If there is a God he/she/it hasn't manifested in reality so whether it's just Earth or the entire universe I couldn't possibly know or even attempt a guess. The only thing I can imagine and this is assuming a lot is that if alien life does exist and I think it likely and if they have religion it would be personal to them. Whenever someone asks me what would convince you a God exists and that the Bible is accurate my answer is if we ever find alien life on another far away planet that has the same Bible we do. That would convince me......maybe

What story in the holy book/s was totally silly?

paul1967 comments on Sep 24, 2017:

Almost everything in the Bible is either silly or unethical.

Any suggestions on how to inoculate children from religion?

paul1967 comments on Sep 24, 2017:

It's never too early to teach a kid how to think skeptically. The younger they are when they're exposed to it the better they are at when they hit adulthood.

What is the source of morality?

paul1967 comments on Sep 24, 2017:

Well, I would say morality works in similar ways to evolution. Slow change over time and over regions. If the Bible had been written today we would still have plenty to poke at but far less gross immorality than what we see. The 10 commandments wouldn't put women on the same line with cattle and slavery would be a shall not instead of when you do you must do this. Killing your bride for not being a virgin on her wedding night and placing her dead body on her father's doorstep probably wouldn't be in a modern canon of the Bible. So from that, we can at least demonstrate that God isn't the milestone they claim him to be.

Do you believe in destiny or luck ?

paul1967 comments on Sep 23, 2017:

No, luck is an illusion and Vegas makes billions because they know that.

There are times where I unintentionally insult my mother.

paul1967 comments on Sep 23, 2017:

No I can't claim I went through anything similar, but my mother "was" Catholic as I was growing up she slowly became more and more secular. My father "was" (dead now) an Atheist, so it was my dad that got the glares from my mother. I married a religious woman, and now I get the glares from her.

For atheists - what makes you believe no deity exists?

paul1967 comments on Sep 23, 2017:

Well, two possible answers. Recognized deities like Yahweh, because they're based on absurd claims that have been discovered to be incredibly unlikely such as Noah's Ark, Adam and Eve and many many other examples too numerous to list here. A generic deity could exist I suppose, but since that deity doesn't interact in my reality and there is no evidence of it I run my life not accepting the claim that one does exist.

Is spirituality the same as emotionality?

paul1967 comments on Sep 23, 2017:

I would have to say no they are not the same. I would say emotionality is defined as the measure of a person's emotional reactivity to a stimulus. I would say that spirituality is the label placed on the emotion by someone willing to accept the irrational idea that they know something they could not possibly know. This is the core of what I don't like about religion, claims to know facts based on personal experience. Confirming "truth" about a claim using personal experience as the measure of truth is almost as bad as faith.

Is Uber a good company?

paul1967 comments on Sep 23, 2017:

I only voted no because I don't know wasn't an option and you might ask if I didn't have an opinion why vote at all. The reason I voted is that if someone does know some unbiased information on this I would like to be better informed. When I don't know something, I tend to want to research it, but everything I read seems to have a bias behind it. This type of news is incredibly hard to discern because there are always those who have a desire to influence opinion and will disregard anything that is in opposition to their claims

Do you suffer with depression?

paul1967 comments on Sep 23, 2017:

I think that it takes an effort to realize that the ramifications of there being no God are not all valid and there is a bright side. These would include: That there is no meaning to life, there is no reward for the suffering we feel during life. When people die, they will never again be in my presence. 1) There is meaning in life, a ton of meaning. Nobody but myself is dictating what is and isn't significant. I'm the arbiter of what I find wondrous and whether the theist realizes it or not they still create their meaning in life. 2) There may be no reward after death for the suffering I experience while I'm alive. My reward is that since I accept this, I can make sure that this life, the only life I have or will ever have is the best I can make it. I won't waste this life, waiting for life 2.0 which will never come. Awareness of what is real is a much better reward for all its incredible implications. 3) Everyone I have lost brings me sadness, but I don't think my grief is greater than the theist. Our loss is relatively the same.

What is the difference between a cult and a religion?

paul1967 comments on Sep 23, 2017:

In the eyes of an atheist nothing, it's all a bunch of crap. I suspect to a theist it's any religion that isn't their religion.

The other day I got into a little accident it was my mistake I was riding my bike to work and I hit ...

paul1967 comments on Sep 22, 2017:

I agree with monkey. If a bad event has a positive outcome it's God's grace but if a bad event has a negative outcome it's God's will and all will be made right in Heaven. What a load of s**t. If Yahweh is real and he wants me to know he exists he had better do a bit more than ancient scriptures voted on by men to create a Bible. If that's the evidence I am given to accept that much of science is a load of crap then just get it over with and stick me in hell now

What was your worst experience with religious people?

paul1967 comments on Sep 21, 2017:

A very close friend found out I was an Athiest and refused to see me for several years. I bumped into him once one a trip to Aspen I got the chance finally to ask him, How did you not know I was an Athiest, I'm so vocal about it. He said "well I knew you didn't believe I just didn't know you were an Athiest. I laughed and said That's all an Athiest is. We aren't baby eaters. We're people just like you who happen not to believe that one thing.

Any suggestions on how to promote this site?

paul1967 comments on Sep 21, 2017:

One issue you need to overcome is anyone who uses McAfee shows this site as a high-risk alert for phishing. I passed on your link to many friends. They all said no thanks for that reason.

How do I stop feeling bad for being an atheist?

paul1967 comments on Sep 21, 2017:

I wish I could be more helpful here, but I don't understand why you would feel bad about not believing a lie. I value knowing there is no Yahweh standing over every second of my life taking notes preparing my place in Hell. Hell isn't something I fear. I look around in amazement at all the incredible beauty this world has to offer and I give no thought to Yahweh. The story is clearly fictional and I'm a good person, just as you are. Neither of us is perfect but that's a good thing.

How to stop Donald Trump from making the US less secular?

paul1967 comments on Sep 21, 2017:

Vote him out of office in 2020.

How to deal with religious family and friends?

paul1967 comments on Sep 21, 2017:

My wife and all her family are all hardcore bible thumping Christians. Yes, I said my wife too, she wasn't when I married her. They all know I don't believe and they all know I don't, I'll repeat it I DO NOT respect their beliefs. I think they're damaging to them and society. They also know I love them and I would take a bullet for my wife without a second thought. It's hard, but I'm done sitting in the closet. If they debate me as they do every time they come over to visit, I point out the flaws of their beliefs, but I make sure we hug it out before they leave. I love my mother in law she's a good lady with a ton of spunk. She greats me, calling me a demon child. She'll say Demon child help me out of my chair. Then before she leaves, she says, Demon child, come give me a kiss goodbye and tell that devil friend of yours I'm coming for him. She'll swat her walking stick against my leg and I'll be coming for you too. Then she'll wink at me and smile. This isn't just one account this is every time I see her.

Are there any fellow atheists that are living in Islamic/Arab countries in here ??

paul1967 comments on Sep 21, 2017:

I'm not living in the middle east, but as a fellow atheist, you have my respect and friendship.

How to respond to people who say these are the end of days?

paul1967 comments on Sep 21, 2017:

Well, this isn't very satisfying, but I say, oh well I better get busy sinning, I don't want to piss off the boss. And then I walk away feeling pity for the person who's been emptied of all reason. Going down the rabbit hole with these people is a complete waste of time and only serves to strengthen their convictions.

Why do you reject the idea of religion?

paul1967 comments on Sep 20, 2017:

I don't reject the idea of religion I reject the practice of religion. I reject kids not getting medical treatment because an old book tells them God will heal all things if you pray hard enough. I reject children being taught that science is BS and it's just a bunch of men in white coats grabbing at grant money. And many more things

Where do you stand regarding fate and destiny?

paul1967 comments on Sep 20, 2017:

Fate: This is another one of those times where definitions are relevant. If you mean by fate, some supernatural force that pushes me toward one thing or another, I say, I have no reason to believe that.

Who exactly are the 'nones'?

paul1967 comments on Sep 20, 2017:

It's a collection of people ranging from those that disbelieve, but don't label themselves as atheist or agnostic to individuals who do believe but have no ties to any particular church.

How certain are you that there is a god?

paul1967 comments on Sep 20, 2017:

I don't understand people who claim to be 100%. The question isn't how sure are you that Yahweh doesn't exist, it's how sure are you that a God (which I interpret as an intelligent creator of everything) doesn't exist. I can say I'm maximally certain but I could never say I know, beyond any doubt he doesn't.

Why there is no god/s?

paul1967 comments on Sep 20, 2017:

It's basic critical thinking. Until evidence is furnished that establishes Gods existence, I'm going to conclude a God doesn't exist. If I were to believe everything until such time it was proven false I would be forced to accept everything unproven, including things that contradict other things. I can't function that way nor would a diety that had my best interest in mind want me to.

Which is better? "god" or "God"?

paul1967 comments on Sep 20, 2017:

Not believing in God is no excuse for poor English.

What theory of the beginning of the Universe do you support?

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

I like the answer, we don't know yet, but we won't stop trying to figure it out. I accept that science has strong evidence for a sudden expansion, but what caused it, that is the root of the question and I'm not sure we can ever answer that question. If that day ever comes, I would love to be around to look at the faces of people like Kent Hovind and Ken Ham.

Does infinite punishment for finite crimes sound just to you?

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

It sounds like a twisted religious con game designed to keep you from using your brain. So no

Is there such thing as a soul mate?

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

First, you would need to define soul mate. I would assume you're referring to a supernatural spiritual soul. Is there a person out there who is maximally compatible with me? Sure, but I wouldn't call her a soul mate unless you defined soul mate as maximally compatible.

I was a born again Christian for 35 years and I have recently been questioning my faith.

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

I don't remember who said this, but when I heard it, it made a lot of sense. If you're struggling to free yourself of religion, but that brings you the dread of going to Hell, remember this, you have never worried about the Hell of Islam or the Hell from Greek mythology because you didn't believe. When you find that Christianity is just another in a long list of myths, your fear of Hell will drop away and you will never give it another thought.

What is your response when people threaten you with religious punishments? (i.e. Hell/Jahannam)

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

Well first I don't get mad, I get even. (joke kinda) I let them know in a very calm voice that if there is a God who created Hell for people who don't believe, if that's true and I'm suffering in Hell for all eternity, then I'll be suffering there knowing I'm more moral than the God who created me. Be careful not to say God sent me or insinuate that in any way because you've just lost your message. They ignore the ramifications of what you said and start talking nonsense about how you sent yourself.

How do you tell religious people that you're an atheist?

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

It all depends on what's at stake. If I'm at work I'm not going to discuss my atheism. If I had parents who would throw me out of the house I'm not going to discuss my atheism. As an adult who is capable of taking care of my own needs, I let all my friends and family know I'm an atheist. I often times wear T-Shirts saying I'm an Atheist. If my theist friends don't want anything more to do with me then I'll deal with that loss, but I'm not afraid to tell someone I'm not convinced. I would say that Christians aren't afraid to tell you their beliefs so as long as you're not mocking them and you mention it with respect I wouldn't be afraid to tell them you're not convinced.

It irritates me when someone declares that they are an an agnostic or a deist.

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

I personally don't like the word, Atheist. We have no need for any other word that designates a "not" prior to the word. It's a word that has unfortunately become necessary. I think how people choose to label themselves is up to them and I don't really care what label they're going with. If you're saying I'm unsure of a God, I'm 50/50 then technically you're saying you are not convinced and that to me means you're an Atheist but the word agnostic in this case works just as well. If you want to break it down into the root meaning, then the technical difference between atheists and agnostics is a difference between belief and knowledge. It's the belief of god vs. the knowledge of god. An atheist does not believe god(s) exist and an agnostic doesn't know if god(s) exist. I'm an agnostic-atheist. I don't believe in god (or gods), but I don't know for sure.

Was there a movie or book that helped you question religion?

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

I've never been religious but the second most impactful book for me was "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell. The first most impactful book was the Bible itself, and I don't mean that as a joke. I read the NIV cover to cover, and the fact that I was never indoctrinated allowed me to read it without "God glasses on." Craziest damn thing I've ever read.

Any advice on how to date or marry a believer?

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

I don't know if my advice on this is worth anything on this issue because I'm in the middle of getting divorced from a theist. I can say that the failure of our marriage had little to nothing to do with her faith. I'm not convinced to an absolute certainty that God isn't real. I would say I'm 75% sure he doesn't. However, I don't judge or disrespect anyone who holds the opposite opinion to me. If you're going to get involved with a theist, I think it's important to start with this attitude. Fortunately for me we never had kids, and if we had, a whole new dynamic comes into play where I can foresee many more complications developing. I would not be willing to allow my child to become indoctrinated nor would I discourage them at some point from getting involved with the church. I would teach my child critical think skills, and I would voice my opinions as I would expect my spouse to do the same. It will cause tension, and if you're ready to add that stress to the list of other stresses that come with marriage, then I would say go for it. If not then I would say don't even start dating them.

Should religion be taught in schools?

paul1967 comments on Sep 19, 2017:

I have no issue with teaching religion in public schools, in fact, I absolutely encourage it to be taught in school. I think that most people who have read Joseph Campbell, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" would understand the importance of mythology. I would, however, object to teaching it as an alternative to science. My reasoning for this is, you can't reach any reliable scientific conclusions when your model of existence starts out with I have faith.