Your imagination made religion seem dull? Thats odd I think my overactive childhood imagination was the only thing that allowed me to get into religion in the first place. The detailed ancient histories mixed with crazy sci fi violence and insanity? It sounded pretty awesome as a kid haha. Im totally blaming my overactive imagination on my indoctrination but perhaps imagination can be separated from gullibility at a younger age than I figured. Were your parents very religious or nah? If so you're a lucky and/or clever bastard to escape so early.

I bailed out of traditional Christianity at an early age, however, IMO there is such a thing as throwing out the bath water and keeping the baby. I really like your idea of continually evolving and moving forward.

You are right. This is not a race, and it is logically necessary to respect all of our fellow humans regardless of where they are spiritually.

A declaration of atheism should be just the beginning.

My best guy friend is a Republican and today in the context of conversation amongst several of us I explained the "argument from authority" fallacy. I pointed out that it's fine to cite an authority to support an argument to long as the person has relevant experience, because people can be brilliant in certain areas and dumb as a post in others. He lit up with a big smile. "Just like you," he said -- "you're brilliant about a lotta tings I don't know a ting about, but that don't mean I know nuffin'" (this in his rural Pennsylvania accent). "Exactly," I said ... "you are smart about a lot of things I know nothing about."

This is how people with different views get along ...

People are dynamic.