"running dogg" wrote:

Yes, there are a number of atheists who are angry at God for whatever
reason (strange, since God doesn't exist) and bash everybody of faith
relentlessly. This particular atheist believes that there are good
people of every faith, and that faith per se is not bad. But when
believers want to point a gun at my head and tell me what to believe, or
want to overthrow the US Constitution and replace it with a Christian
version of Iran, I'm gonna get mad. I'm a tolerant guy, but don't touch
my rights under the First Amendment or attempt to overthrow the
Constitution.

Well, I know for a fact that there are many folks who call themselves
"Christians" who would gladly attempt to subvert the Constitution in
an attempt to assert their version of a theocracy. *However*, for
every one of those, there are thousands and thousands who love our
Constitutional Republic, who feel that our rights are given by God and
guaranteed by the Constitution, and who would gladly defend our
Constitution. If a "believer" wants to point a gun at your head, that's
assault. In such a situation, it's probably best to be pointing something
back. (2nd Amendment to the Bill of Rights, and all of that). Problem
solved.

I grew up in Mormonism. Mormons are VERY obsessed with the idea that
Jesus blesses the rich, when in fact Jesus said that a rich man shall
never get into heaven. I am high functioning autistic (Asperger
Syndrome) and my social faux pas'es were ruthlessly mocked by the other
kids and even by some adults. All they wanted was oneupmanship on each
other. I quit at the age of 12 and went in search of a church, then a
religion, that lived up to its ideals. I came up empty-just endless
preaching of intolerance and dumbed down sheep robotically repeating the
hate that spewed forth from the leaders. Then I became an atheist, and
suddenly I became a prime target for every half wit conversion attempt
in existence.

For what it's worth, there are MILLIONS of people who've been down
that very same road you're walking, and I can't fault you for throwing in
the towel. I won't try to convert you (hell, this is rec.radio.shortwave),
but I can say truthfully that it looks like God didn't fail, humanity did.
It's
a story as old as humanity, sadly.

I've heard it all, from instant faith healing of my
problems to the ignorant blather of missionaries trying to sound loving
while thinking "raw meat" in the backs of their minds.

No, the REAL way to fix it is to handle snakes! Well, either that, or
come on down to the "compound." Profit Stair will gladly help you.

At least the
Mormons send their missionaries out at age 19 so they don't have a
chance to get jaded-those freshly scrubbed potato brains from Idaho
really DO believe, they really ARE sincere, and they try their
damnedest. Each missionary converts, on average, one person every six
months out of a total two year assignment.

I've got a tremendous amount of respect for Mormons. I've met dozens
and everyone of them seemed decent, and were full of good will. I've
talked about religion and politics with them, and they seemed to have
sound judgment. I disagree with them doctrinally, but I like their
live-and-
let-live attitude.

73,

Steve