One thing often overlooked in discussions about religion is the "community" aspect.

[upaloopa]

2. I can speak to that because my brother is a Catholic

priest and pastor of a rather large and prosperous parish.
I have problems with his community and it is hard to put into words why. My brother seems to me to be intolerant of other views or other beliefs even mine. I am a Buddhist in practice and at times try to have a discussion about his and my beliefs. The last time it didn't end well. He got really pissed and since we are the only ones left of a family of five I told him I never want to discuss this again that we have few remaining years left and no time to fight about beliefs. His friends from the church are the same way as he is. It seems to me
that they can't handle the idea that other people think differently than they do or is it the idea that they are right and everybody else is wrong? Yes they have a community but still have exclusivity. I don't see it as a positive.