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re 74: Does that make atheism a religion? Perhaps not. But it does make it, at the least, a belief system about religion. And like any other belief system, it has its fundamentalist advocates. Who, frankly, I find just as insufferable as any other such fanatics.

What is that you have a quarrel with a belief system?

As you know, organized religion has established a number of "belief systems." The number of sects and denominations is sufficient testimony as to the quality of belief systems. Each one claims to know the "one true path to everlasting life". The sheer quantity overwhelms any quality. Between 150+ Protestant denominations, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Catholics under the Greek, Serbian or Russian Patriarch, the Mandaeans, the Copts, the Mormons, the Moonies, the Amish, the Christian Scientists, the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Seventh Day Adventists,....

The number of claims to know "the one true way" is a sign that none of them know, and the proponents just make this up to get adherents. Matthew: "By their much speaking, ye shall know them."

If you might excuse me, I think all the claims to "know the one true faith" are a bit arrogant. I do not accept that one faith heirarchy of priests/pastors is superior. I do not accept that one view of Christian faith or "morality" is "more superior" for all of us. I do not accept that televangelists, politicians with dollar concerns have any honesty with respect to "morality".

You will surely admit that priests, pastors, shamans have promoted "spiritual" notions that feather their own nests.

What is that you have a quarrel with a belief system?

I don't have a quarrel with a belief system. I have a quarrel with certain ways of promoting a belief system.

The number of claims to know "the one true way" is a sign that none of them know, and the proponents just make this up to get adherents.

But not all religions claim to be the "one true way." And not all religious people profess absolute certainty in their beliefs.

By the same token, claiming that there is no deity, is just as much claiming that there is one truth.

do not accept that one faith heirarchy of priests/pastors is superior. I do not accept that one view of Christian faith or "morality" is "more superior" for all of us.

Nor do I. I'm Jewish. And even there, I'm rather heterodox in my beliefs.

You will surely admit that priests, pastors, shamans have promoted "spiritual" notions that feather their own nests.

Some have, some haven't. But any belief system, whether true or false -- and not just religious one -- that attracts adherents will also attract people who use it for their own gain, whether power, wealth, sex, or something else. That is a function of mankind's nature, not necessarily a function of any given belief.