Cognitive dissonance and intellectual dishonesty...

It's a trade off few are willing to actually admit. They like the tradition or social life or don't want to rock the family boat and in exchange for that they must associate themselves witha bigoted organization. Quite the trade off, especially considering you don't need it to be socially involved or be a part of a community.

If you've been indoctrinated since a child...

into some religion, that's sad, and definitely not a good reason to continue to maintain cognitive dissonance and intellectual dishonesty with yourself. Child indoctrination is a form of child abuse.

And this "leaving the country" analogy is just a symptom of the mental hoops and intellectual dishonesty people who associate with bigoted religions must subject themselves to in order to excuse themselves.

I know, which is why I'm wondering...

if he was even talking about atheists as potential allies at all.

Wonder why he can't say "atheist"...

is it a dirty word? Will it corrupt the minds of the faithful to say it? Is it like saying Voldemort?

I don't think so...

that's part of the point of a discussion forum, to come to a better understanding of one's own beliefs and positions. We all engage in cognitive dissonance and intellectual dishonesty at some time or another. It's helpful to be able to reconcile opposing beliefs we hold in our own minds for whatever reason; tradition, community, not wanting to rock the boat with family, etc.

No need to be saracastic nt

People who identify and associate with a belief system...

they fundamentally do not believe are engaging in cognitive dissonance and intellectual dishonesty.

The tent where...

people who choose to assoicate themselves with a belief system they and DU fundamentally disagree with will be called out for their cognitive dissonance and intellectual dishonesty.

A country isn't a belief system...

You don't have belief in a country. To be a citizen of a country you don't have to agree or believe in any of the statements the government puts forth or that are written down in its founding documents.

To be a member of a religious belief system, you do have to believe the belief system. Which is why those that identify with a religion while disagreeing with the belief system are engaging in cognitive dissonance and intellectual dishonesty, while citizens that disagree with the ruling government are not.

For people who are concerned...

with being intellectually honest with themselves and not engaging in cognitive dissonance, UU is a good choice.