Ideas about hell, damnation, and eternal punishment were entertained with various works of art and literature. It also gave rise to the idea of demons, beasts, and other tools of the devil living on earth necessitating eradication methods. People were banished, tortured, and cruelly executed while secular education was stifled. It took a tremendous effort to stamp out the worst of it, yet there’s still no shortage of zealots that want to drag everyone back down that path.

From before a written language tells us about worshiping suns, moons, etc. usually always from above. I think there are just so many things we can’t explain or even understand so we’ve gotta have a belief in something supernatural. Looking at the photos from the James Webb telescope brings that home to me. Carl Sagan always said we’re star stuff..I can get with that. Jmo.

social interaction. For most of my life I "played like" I was religious simply to avoid any awkward conversation or even a chance of non-acceptance simply based on religious beliefs.

But as I got older, I think around 55+, and as I saw more and more people willingly rejecting organized religion (I used to say "organized" because it implied that I believed in some kind of spirituality) I finally rejected the guilt of being a HEATHEN.

I live in a mostly Catholic community where the church is the primary vehicle where you meet your neighbors...that or a beer joint (I drink but not attracted to beer joints). If you don't attend then you are always an outsider (I've lived here for 30+ years).

After the last 4+ years of Christian support for some crazy political ideology I just can't stomach it anymore. I think it's nuts but have no expectation of it changing so I suspect things will stay the same or maybe even get worse and the tribalism seems to increase.

If there truly is a GOD? he created a species that is destroying out planet and that seems pretty dumb to me.

Humans have their egos. When they do not understand something they have to invent a scapegoat for their ignorance. Also, people are too lazy to investigate issues themselves. Instead of trying to gain info on a subject they are lazy and believe the sky pilots' fictional theories. Stupidity is key in keeping the masses under control and religion is all about stupidity. Donate to Freedom From Religion Foundation! Ron Reagan and I aren't afraid of dying in hell.