[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I don't know how to say this because it will probably come out wrong, but that's pretty amazing to me that a person who identifies as atheist has such a moral head on his shoulders. I mean, if I was an atheist, I would be the most evil, homicidal, bi&%h on the planet. That sounds bad but true. Belief in a Divine source is what keeps me on the path. My hat's off to you, especially for your honesty. I think I just opened myself up to flaming, YIKES!!

[discostu]

I think it's how I got to atheism. Basically I figured out that 6 out of the 10 Commandments are just plain a good idea regardless of faith, then I sussed onto the fact that the 7 deadly sins really should be avoided, and the 7 virtues are pretty helpful. I spent a long time seeking and in the process I found that most religions actually prescribe and proscribe a lot of the same behavior and that said behavior really is a good idea (and are actually present in Locke's Social Contract). My theory is that religions are constructed to store the rules of society and provide a carot and stick to get people to follow them. Unless I'm in one of my moods when I'm more of an agnostic (happens sometimes, like September 12th), then my theory is that God made all these religions to make sure everybody got the important part of the message and that's what He really cares about.

Also I never turned into one of those people that hates religion. I still respect it and complain about the ACLU. Because I was raised in a 50s style Catholic household I do get twitchy when people start waving their faith around (ala Deon Sanders), but I know that comes from my Catholic roots, not my atheist leaves. Sadly I am a rather unusual atheist. If I was typical there would be peace between the factions.