I actually know several people here in N.Ireland , a deeply divided religious country, who don't proseletyse and keep their religious sentiments to themselves if its a comfort to them, who am I to rip that off and what for? We don't harm each other - I think your last paragraph is chilling thats how genociides and wars start - I am a peaceful atheist/anarchist adn believe in 'so harm it none do as you will-

Although it kills me to let it go I find the discussion is futile with most believers. I do find it worth it if others are listening. Seems that's the minds that the doubt's slowly hit. Hard for the one you are debating to admit he's been so wrong for so long. You'll never get a mind change immediately. It will always end with mysterious ways or just have faith etc. Take that as a win.I was deeply indoctrinated for years until I reasoned myself out by reading the Bible in my twenties. It was very difficult. I almost enjoy the occasional times I'm shown I'm wrong because I know that's one more thing I won't be wrong about again.

True believers are hopelessly lost without their total commitment to their defining dogma. That possibility is so traumatizing that they cannot deal with it.

You got that right. I've started with some by having them look into the Sumerian culture they quickly see that all the bs in the bible was written 8000 years ago and was just for the control over the masses.

I am not of the "religion is a cursed disease" frame of mind.

It was a useful tool, that gave impetus to some of the greatest achievements of all of human history, and provided mental comfort to untold millions living in abject poverty.

It has served its purpose, and those who can retrieve themselves from the profound superstitions and fears of the unknown that have been a curse for 200,000 years, should just count themselves lucky, and be kind to the remnants.

I'm not anti religion, simply because there are a lot of good people who use it for comfort and to bring structure to their lives. My beef is with those who pour their religious perspective and rules over others, demanding they have the one true way. If you need it in your life, fine, but don't fuck with my freedoms or safety.

You will never sway a believer with debate because the beliefs they have are tied to who they are (or who they think they are). An attack on ones core beliefs is an attack on that persons self or identity. You may however plant a seed that may one day yield fruit, but I wouldn't hold my breath. A more subtle technique is "street epistemology". Some good youtube videos on it.

Politics and religion. Stubborn is as stubborn does. Change the subject to the weather...

As easy as sheep, we humans are so easily lead.

Don't debate... lots of xians on my family but to everyone... I am this free spirit relative that always been off the grid but treat everyone with love and respect so they all love me. I don't goddamn in front of them or show fear of a church shadow. I just be myself and accommodate them just as they accommodate me. It is not my job to liberate anyone of any prison they feel comfortable in. They happy... I am happy. They are not my enemies or they see me as an enemy.

Certain white evangelicals can be annoyingly pushy but luckily, most Americans only give lip service to their religious beliefs, attend church to visit with friends and socialize, almost none read the Bible (good thing, or they'd see such a bloody, revengeful God, it would shock them), especially in urban areas.

Where I lived in rural eastern KY, they had their own weird, 18th century-style country churches, with strange, cool beliefs that sound like Celtic paganism, like their song about flying away on a great speckled bird.

Very well stated my friend and I agree completely.

You can't change someone's mind, all you can do is plant the seed of doubt.

True believers ARE totally emotionally dependent on their dogma. It defines who they are and aspire to be, in their minds.