Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers!

It is not the religion that people are afraid of but the fanatics who are the followers sometimes.

I'm only afraid of religion from the standpoint of the things people do in its name. In other words, God doesn't scare me at all -- people very much do.

Calling it out happens all the time.

Unfortunately, at least in the US, religion is one of those "sacred cow" situations, and those who are in positions to take action, often don't because they don't want to
make waves.

Personally, I'd love to be in a position to prosecute every single one of them for fraud and corruption.
I'd love to start with Joel O'Steen and his wife, and go from there.

I am not afraid of religion. I am afraid (if that is the right word) of people who coerce, bully, rob, rape, torture and murder in the name of their religion.

The problem is that it is so old and deep rooted, that those who do try soon get bored. If you bang your head on the wall, you hurt your head more than the wall.

Speaking for myself, I call out the bullshit and lies of religion every chance I get.

Mostly because no one listens

I don't think it's the religion that people are afraid of . I think it's those who believe it that are dangerous .

I call it out constantly. I advocate for shutting down the Catholic Church, deporting all of their clergy to Vatican City, seizing their assets until all of their records are opened and every one of their pedophile and sexual abuser priests are turned over to secular authorities and all statutes of limitations are waived so they can be prosecuted. This includes the hierarchy members who KNEW about this stuff and just kept shuffling them around to different churches and regions so they could KEEP DOING IT.

The ones who are brainwashed by religion will not hear what people like us have to say.

I hear people speaking out about this all the time but it only does so much good. Compared to even a generation ago I think we have made huge leaps forward in addressing the depravity that is found in all religions.

The JW door knockers always ask "aren't you afraid of what happens when you die?" I answer that what I fear is ignorance.

For several years now, I've had an idea about picketing a church. Especially, one that provides aid and comfort to the psychos who picket our Planned Parenthood hood office. It seems perfectly fair to me.

I applaud the sentiment, but religion is like addiction, in that you can't really help people who don't want to be helped.

I'll point out the contradictions and how the bibler (Or Book of Mormon) is often wrong and historically inaccurate. I'll point out how in ancient times the mentally ill were said to habve been "touched by god", or "touched by the gods" and that persons who saw things that weren't there and heard voices but were still mostly functional became the ancient prophets, and how we still have such people today, but we rightfully see them as mentally ill. I never present it as argumentative, but just as what I believe and le tthem coem to their own conclusions.

Religion in itself is not the problem, it is the powerful positions it has placed its adherents in, the slavish brainwashed mentality of it's followers, the political and legal clout the institutions can exert and the persecution they can instill.
Yes that frightens me, because it is real unlike he subjects of the so many conspiracy theories, religion is real, is powerful, is ruthless, merciless and lauds praises and honours upon those who are most insane among them for acts that if carried out for any other reason would be universally condemned.
Religion is societies accepted madness and a poison imbibed with gusto by those who insist it is ambrosia.

Why not? For some, fear certainly. But also exhaustion from having already stood up,many times, only to be met with a collective shrug by much of society.

I'm not so sure that's fear of religion, rather a fear of mortality and peer acceptance.

While I agree with you, all religions have had a strangle hold on the masses. Disagree, or call them out, will get you burned at the stake. Fear is what stops us. I always take the my side (non-theist), but it is not going to change people. But by exposing them to facts, may help. May not. We can only try.

Who is "we" and how many people do you believe should be and aren't speaking out?

I don't know anyone that is "afraid" of religion in the atheist community which I am involved with on many platforms. I do know that many are concerned about the harm that it does in society.

To put it in perspective most are not "afraid" of the environment, but do have much concern for it and the worlds environmental future. There are also those that do not express much concern for it.

I may despise religion as a scam that defrauds too many people, but I am not afraid of it. In fact, am rather bold in pointing out the fraud, corruption & abuse of the church. I try not to be rude or unpleasant in my boldness, and in some situations, it is best to remain silent about the issue. But given an opening, I will unveil the evils of religion.

To what end? Corruption, fraud and abuse exists all around us with more bought into its influences than is possible to overcome without resorting to the same methods.

on the second though....why even bother with those people and their b.s.? just leave them alone and meet new friends on agnostic.com!!!! ;P