As the only skeptic among the 5 of us siblings growing up, I was the only one excused from having to complete my catechism, so I was never confirmed, etc.

Part of my rebellion was calling my parents on their insistence to "Do as I say, not as I do" when trying to get us to do something, but weren't modeling that good behavior to us. I think that shaped my habit of questioning authority.

I usually follow rules, but I like to know why the rule was made and I like to see the rule maker following it too.

I run the risk of boring everyone, by repeating my personal definition of religion again.

Religion is a synonym for the common fallacy called. "The proof from authority."

Whether that authority comes from and old book, a supernatural being, a gurus supposed wisdom, or tradition, etc. it does not matter.

I agree. I would say, however, that people on the political right tend to be way more obedient and unquestioning of authority than people on the left. Which explains why so many Trumpers and members of the GOP are so quick to believe in conspiracy theories that have no basis in fact. I also agree that most people aren't evil, but so many are dumb. As Sticks 48 has often said, half the population have IQs below 100. It is easy, on a site like this, where the vast majority of its members have IQs well above 100, probably because non-believers tend to be smarter and more intellectual than most believers, to forget we are mostly way smarter than most Americans. It lulls us into feeling more normal or average than we are and thus, easily frustrated with why most of the herd outside of this site is not as intelligent or critical in their thinking as most of us. If only most Americans were like us, we wouldn't have a government chosen by sheeple..

Not Judaics. They are always arguing the Torah & its interpretation. If folks did not question, then there would be fewer Xrtians denominations. I think current political situation whereby a coup was attempted by those that are challenged in there ability to think clearly as a cult or mass hysteria, truly believing that the lizard people have taken over the government & we must "fight like hell" save it. They are wrong of course but it has happened before as rwill attest and as with 75 million currently manipulated fools of Putin the Mastermind.

I bet most of the people on this site were the kids that the parents eventually had to say "Because I said so!

I eventually had to say that to my son out of pure exasperation but not often.

Agree with you 100%. The problem starts in early childhood that is when the Christianists get a hold of little children and plant all that shit in their heads. You don’t even need to be a member of a church for this to happen. This is the problem that we must try and overcome, how I do not know.

Darren, if you’re describing your own childhood, please say so.