Religion

Always happy to see the point “absence of belief” mentioned in response to the lazy, tiresome classifications of atheism as a different “belief “.

But again, logic, reasoning, historical references, and comparisons to rigid scientific methods of discerning reality is irrelevant to believers. I sometimes consider that they REALLY want their deity so bad, and just love the rituals, and the sense of belonging and sharing their traditions. At face value, choosing to exist in such a way isn’t all that bad. Fantasy perhaps, but happiness can sometimes have an element of fantasy.

It’s the bad stuff, the exclusionary tribalism, the arrogance, the loathing of innocent people outside their domain, that ruins it all.

Some good traits of humanity might be encouraged by belief, but then our worst ones seem to be similarly encouraged, even amplified. And that’s humanity’s failing, no god is doing squat there.

Non-believers see that clearly. No doubt some believers do as well, but they sure seem very quiet and vastly outnumbered.