> I'm not confrontational by nature, and dislike having to refer to someone else's cherished views as flatly wrong, but if I truly respect another person, the best I can do is to engage their religious beliefs and have an honest stance of opposition to them.

Nor am I confrontational by nature (though I do have a tendency towards being provocative - I do not count this as the same thing, opinions may differ).

For the record I view religions as superstitions. I am an atheist. But I also recognise both my fallibility and the fact that in this and in other areas (astrology, UFOs, ghosts, reincarnation) there is evidence and conviction both for and against (recognising that you may well say these subjects are a different matter altogether). I feel that the side of the fence you fall on can reflect your own personality as much as your own experience. I often find myself adopting Orwellian double-think in much the same way as physicists can view light as a wave or a particle depending on circumstances. I cannot oppose the right to belief - though I can object to the divisional effects that can result (this however is a different topic).

> There is also a sense, you see, in which your remarks later in the post to the effect that it's just fine for people to believe in Jesus as God, or Allah, or whatever works best for them, are equally as galling as Sam's (and my) assertions about the divinity of Jesus... The relativist's suggestion that the truth or falsity of those beliefs is irrelevant, that only their effect on the psychical well-being of the believer is of value, is the utmost form of condescension... The relativist does better to claim atheism (or whatever belief he/she holds) and relate to religious people as a sincere adversary, rather than overtly condoning and covertly undermining all forms of religious belief.

I accept that I cause offense as you describe, for which I apologise. I do not mean to condescend - I feel that an honestly felt belief has just as much validity as my own, and if it does not adversely affect the life of those I care about (all of us I'd like to hope) I'm not going to take up arms. But I do reserve the right to condone and undermine (nice line).

> Iss "I *do* have a sense of humor, y'all" achar

en'count the first person pronouns, obviously on the back foot'ile

PS: Sam, can you make a bigger box for replies?