>>No-one persecutes me for being an atheist.
Actually yes they do. especially if you have children... quite simply you can't get them into the best schools. Also you can't hold office in a number of organisations (mainly charities as my sister has found out).
Again lots of people just pretend to conform so they are excepted. I know a number of people that have worked for YMCA and the red cross who just conform and nod at the right points so they can help people.
Most religions tolerate other religions, it's the non believers that they string up, stone or burn.
In the USA atheists are not allowed to join a number of organisations or even for example become members of the senate for a number of states.
I think it's just because atheists don't make a big thing out of it. I guess because for most atheists that I know, asking if there is a god is like asking a religious person if there is a fridge orbiting the sun and what colour it is?.....it's just of no real importance, and about as odd a question.
However just because two people have similar beliefs doesn't mean they agree with everything they do in the name of that belief. Otherwise by that logic everyone that voted labour must agree 100% with everything Tony has done.
I find the whole subject of religion interesting, in the same way as I find history interesting, not important but interesting.
Anyway got to go pack...manila here i come....
Dave,
