@Belle I’ve mentioned this before, but the biggest reason I identify myself as an atheist is to push back against all the peer pressure foisted onto others to conform to the local belief system. Most terrible of all are the theocracies who put religion into law and prescribe official punishments, so in that respect I feel like a lucky atheist in spite of all the religious panderers thriving in our government.
Without theism being forced on people, I’m certain there’d be no need for atheism, and atheism would surely disappear. I dislike pushing the word delusion because it can strongly imply that more blame belongs to the victim than to the culture at large that’s pushing the ancient, traditional beliefs. I feel sorry for North Korean cult members (suffering from their more modern, foisted delusion), persecuted Muslim apostates, and other victims who aren’t even allowed to realize that other choices are available. I rarely get angry these days, but when I do, it’s usually because of arrogant people manipulating others who are just innocently powerless or under-educated or under-informed.
As difficult as it can be for human beings to think rationally for themselves, I think you’re way ahead of most human beings. You’ve had a rough road, and enough good reasons to be angry for what you’ve been through.
Knowing you as well as I think I do, and perhaps because of one of my daughters once younger with anger and stubbornness who’s now the coolest adult one could ever meet, I still enjoy some of the times you express anger. Stay honest and strong; no one knows everything; those who aggressively tell you how wrong you are are too often the least wise of all.
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