[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by Thor

1. Are you vocal about your atheism or do you shy away when religious discussion occur?

I don't bring the topic up, but if someone is dumb enough to flaunt their religiosity in front of me, I'll run them over. If someone wants to discuss/debate religion, I'm all for it. It's a great topic.

2. Do you politely agree to baptisms, circumcisions, weddings in churches, etc.. In order to appease religious family or societal pressures?

Yes. When invited to events that have religious ceremonies I still attend. I have no problem with them believing what they believe, as long as they keep it to themselves and don't attempt to enforce their beliefs on me.

3. Considering the state of the world today with radicalism in religion from the USA to Iran at a noticeably growing rate, do you feel more responsibility to speak your beliefs and fight to spread atheism to friends/family?

No. People can believe what they want to believe. I will only engage someone in a battle if they bring the subject up themselves, or inject their beliefs or their religion, into a discussion.

4. Are you as an Atheist looking for a more focused plan and leadership online or locally to focus your efforts? Or would you prefer to not be involved in any Atheistic movements?

I believe what I believe and I don't need anyone else supporting me to make me feel good about what I believe. Plus, wouldn't organizing cause Atheism to become just another religion or collective movement, something Atheism is kind of against?

5. Finally, are you optimistic that hundred's of years from now religion will be much less of an influence on this world or are you of the belief that we are going to be under religious influence for a long long time to come?

I firmly believe that we are shifting back to greater religious involvement in our lives. I believe that in a couple hundred years the world will be all about religion again and that all the scientific and technological advances that we have made in the past 100 years will have come to a crashing halt and those generations will be thrust into an intellectual dark age. Religion is a control mechanism to prevent change, and you can see that effect here in America. Religiosity has greatly impacted education and has caused enrollment in the sciences to dwindle. This is a country where rhetorical studies, the primary weapon of those who preach religious belief, has surpassed intellectual studies. Its a country of ideologues and lawyers. Our last hope for a break from religion is China.