Not at ALL certain I agree with the ''overstatement of their numbers'' statement. Every poll I've seen in the last few years shows a reduction of religious reports and an increase in ''no religion/atheist/agnostic'' reports.

At this point, my biggest problem with religion is indoctrination of children. I'm generally a live and let live type, but I have a huge problem with child indoctrination.

This proves to me that having an opinion and writing a book about it is pretty much open to anyone.

To maintain hatred and disdain for the expression of any religious sentiment of any sort at all is not only lacking in efficacy, it borders on insanity. Many of the most brilliant geniuses down through history have been theists, and even today, approximately half of scientists believe in God.

A person’s opinion about theology is a trivial thing, and if the person is open minded that opinion tends to evolve. To cling doggedly to one opinion or the other, pro or con, and to make that narrow opinion your identity reflects irrationality IMO.

I do not respect religion. I do not respect anyone's right to believe. I merely tolerate both because it's required by the US Constitution.
There is a difference. I cannot "respect" that which is harmful and lacking in logic.

I fit the picture but do not agree with entire statement

"They fail to recognize that mocking religious people in public is entirely inimical to the goals they wish to achieve.”

Not sure I agree with this. Of course, context matters, but reminds me of Lindsay Ellis' anaylsis on why mockery of Hitler works better than dramatic portrayal of Nazism. Mockery of a given ideology can't be picked up by the adherent's of said ideology and incorporated to their, say, image banks. Images of American History X are loved by (real, explicit) nazis, whereas images of Chaplin's The Great Dictator or Mel Brooks' 'Springtime for Hitler' aren’t gonna fly.

I do not need a book or any authority figure to tell me what I already know is right and true for ME. Your mileage may vary of course.

I simply cannot respect religion when it is childish, stupid, and completely dangerous. But mocking them makes them double down in their ignorance.

i take the view that i am an atheist, not an anti-theist. i think that i am right and they are wrong, but i doubt i can prove that, and, to be honest, any attempt to prove it is akin to religion.