How to Be an Atheist Without Being a Dick About It

[cbayer]

96. For every point you make, counterpoints can be made that

will use other parts of the bible to support a different position.

You picking out the ones that support your position is exactly the same as those that do the opposite.

That's why so many religious people do not take their books literally. They realize that some of it is contradictory, some of it is parable, some of it reflects the culture of the times it was written and some of it is bunk.

They also see the messages of peace, rationality, profundity, allegory, and a guide for the living.

Those that can't see the nuances are fundamentalists, whether they are believers or not.

Some of what you refer to is unique to certain kinds of christianity (original sin, substitutionary atonement, etc.). So why would you apply those beliefs or concepts to all christians?

There is no data to support your contention that religion "messes people up psychologically". In fact, there is data to the contrary. So that must just be your unsubstantiated belief.

I get it. You hate religion. You think religion is an evil force. You have developed a belief system around these things. You present it as dogma and absolute. Almost like some religion.

John Bradshaw has written about toxic shame. Toxic shame can come from many sources. Religion may be one for some people, but it can come from distinctly non-religious sources. If I remember correctly, and it's been a long time since I read his book, he blames his own on family dysfunction and doesn't invoke religion at all. While he has spoken about religious addiction, he puts in the category with other addictions. I am unsure why you linked to him here.