As a nullifidian and anti-religionist, I long for the day when organized religions, as we see them in action today, are a thing of the past. It’s not that I want to limit Freethought, or attempt to control people’s minds. That’s what religion is there to do. No, I would just be happy to have religion not be given the deferential treatment it receives in this country.

The display of religiosity by politicians who kowtow to churches and religious groups is increasing of late, as opposed to decreasing! From the highest court in the land all the way down to the tiny school board or town hall, religion has reasserted itself into the discussions, policies and yes, laws that are being enacted or upheld. No clearer example exists than the recent spate of anti abortion legislation seen in many states.

I would be willing to coexist with religion and live in a state of relative peace under the following conditions. A) Remove any references to God from the national motto, the Pledge of Allegiance, and our currency; B) Eliminate any laws, whether national or local, that are the result of legislating religious morality, such as blue laws, dry counties, anti-gambling statutes, and anti-abortion laws; C) Get rid of any favorable tax policies toward religions and their leaders, including property taxes— like big corporations, religions need to pay their fair share of taxes, and a strict enforcement of the Johnson amendment is required!

Unless the playing field is actually leveled and religion is relegated to the same status as one might view a trade group, I simply cannot see religion as anything but a major threat to a pluralistic democracy. Peaceful coexistence is impossible in an environment of preferential treatment.

Judgemental yet naive. You think your opinion is more mature but here we sit in 2022 with a religion infiltrated government that is making laws to the point that abortion and birth control are being taken away, books are banned and you can’t say gay in Florida.

Why is that happening? Because idiots who cling to the stupidity of a Bronze Age book written by goat herders think their opinions and beliefs are valid when they aren’t. The sexism, misogyny and tribalism of the Abrahamic religions are breathtakingly monstrous but you say we should stifle our inclination to call for a stop to their influence because all beliefs even evil, wrong, and harmful ones should be welcome.

GTFOH!

Religion/faith is a source of comfort and support system for some. I have a live and let live attitude as long as no harm is done. Most people I know that are religious pretty much keep it to themselves. What others choose to believe is none of my business. It becomes my business when someone tries to force it on me or others.

I agree. the conceit in the unbelievers style is often no different than those they criticize for the same. they show no indication of growing beyond that truncated or narrow mentality. they don't get it, or want to. just happier grumbling I reckon.

If we suppress them we become them

Humankind must end religion before religion ends humankind.

Oppression of religion doesn't work. It never has.

If you oppress religion then the religious really do become victims, rather than just pretending they are which is their normal position. Religion becomes 'under attack' and that galvanises the believers into hardening their position.

The way you fight religion is through education. The better educated a population is, the weaker the hold religion has over it.

Religions don't fear oppression, they fear simply becoming irrelevant.

I'm certain that I'd be happier living in a society without religion, war, corporate greed, political corruption, racism, misogyny, animal cruelty, destruction of our planet, child abuse, domestic violence, and a whole host of other terrible things.
Unfortunately, that is not the world we live in.
It's not the world anyone has ever lived in.

We have to do the best we can with what we have.
We have to constantly fight against everything we believe is wrong with our world.
Most of the time, we're fighting one another.
It's unlikely that will ever change.
We will never achieve utopia.
Best to be rooted in reality.

Opress or suppress religions? What are you smoking? Look around all over the world and see how religious fanatics are opressing and suppressing those who do not believe or think like them.

Religion is a mental disease.
Diseases need to be destroyed.

The religionists are not indifferent toward atheists, and given any encouragement, would kill us as much as look at us. We indulge in pacifism at the risk of our lives.

I don't care if people are religious, I think organized religion needs to be banned. As more people become non religious things will change for the better.

I have no problem with religion existing. Have religion? Cool! Treat it like a penis. Don't wave it around in public and don't try to force it down my throat.

Atheists and Agnostics would be happy enough to leave them alone.
They are the ones who have no concept of maintaining their own damn lane and leaving other people the fuq alone.

It goes WAY deeper than having antipathy towards religion simply because they “behave” differently than ourselves!?!
Look around you mate! Humankind and the rest of life as we know are standing on the edge of a precipice , and are about to fall in to never return. The right are kicking us right over the edge with their science and fact denying bigoted ignorance.
Climate change is bringing about a mass extinction right before our eyes! Temperature and sea level rise are just getting started.
Fuck these flat earther science denying assholes. Humankind would have had a chance if not for them, fact.

Spinoza recognized that we can only regulate a man's actions, not his thoughts. And if we can't regulate we must allow it even if it is ultimately bad for Society. I am no fan of his philosophy, but on this point he was correct.

Religion does not represent freedom of thought, religion runs on indoctrination, the indoctrinated are not representative of the freedom of belief, to believe something you must understand it and have proof of it, or else you are subject to brainwashed FAITH not belief. This is the exact opposite of freedom of thought and belief and when it is done on a one to one basis it is a criminal offense called coercive abuse.

The answer is 8 simple laws

1. Religions may not register as charities and like any other business should be required to register as a business,
2. Religion should pay taxes at the same rates as business and be subject to tax investigation and independent auditing every year.
3. Churches must have a legally compliant enforcible constitution which they must abide by.
4. Religions must also be subject to corporate laws regarding political donations
5. All Religious institution employees (and volunteer workers) must be subject to CAB (criminal records) checks and may not employ those failing them.
6. Propagating dangerous, unscientific and prejudicial untruths as doctrines among the underage membership be made a criminal offense
7. All holy books of all religions be forced to carry a disclaimer that they are fiction and contain pornography and incitement to hatred, meaning they may not be sold or read or read to any persons under 21 years age, under penalty of prosecution for child abuse
8. All churches be under legal obligation to report criminal behaviour by members or staff they become aware of under pain of prosecution as an accessory before and after the fact.

Most churches would be shut down or confined to theocracies within a week.

Are you suggesting a "State" Religion?

Religions are consistantly fighting with each other because of their differences.

Translation:

"Sure they're dangerous, credulous, superstitious, self-righteous, mindless fools who don't care about who they hurt as long as they get their way....

....but ya gotta take the rough with the smooth..."

I just object to the judgment of religious folks who seem to believe that membership in their religion is what makes someone a decent person.

Glad to see you are here, please say what you will and do not fear retribution. Looking forward to your posts.

Simply beautiful

Welcome NightSerf. Hope you have a tough skin. Your safe from the proselytizers here & that is about it. The 1st amendment protects us both. Them more than us. Always work to do in protecting the minority tho we are increasing our numbers as science explains what religion did once upon a time.