So last month HBO ran a documentary about a religion. They portrayed the central figure of that

[NanceGreggs]

136. Ya know ...

... I am not going to debate the idea of religion with you, or anyone else, any further.

I'm an atheist. I have no crucifix (or anything else) in this race.

The point is that many people DO find something positive in their faith. They find solace, peace, a sense of community with others - whatever. Just because I do not share their religious beliefs does not compel me to ridicule them. Nor does it foster a personal need to tear down what others hold sacred - or to dismiss their faith as make-believe.

Your mileage may - and obviously does - vary. If you feel a deep-seated need to ridicule the beliefs of others, perhaps you might examine where that need stems from. To me, being an anti-religion zealot is no different than being a religious zealot. Both are cut from the same cloth - a compulsion to make believers out of non-believers, or a compulsion to make non-believers out of believers. It's a distinction without a difference.

Scientology is not an adherence to a faith or creed. It is a money-making pyramid scheme that fought to be recognized as a "religion" for the sole purpose of obtaining tax-exempt status. I've known more than a few in my day - they're not about what one believes; they're about how much money one is willing to fork over.