Because your imaginary supernatural being is foisted on the rest of us in myriad ways. I’m lucky enough to live in a relatively secular society, but even here I have to take part in Christian festivals. In places like the US, Christianity influences the daily lives of all the citizens and obviously in other countries all kinds of religions rule every aspect of society.
Sure, you can believe what you like as long as you don’t force it on the rest of us.
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Which are you referring to? Christmas and Easter? Would you reject these because of their pagan religious connections also?
No, I celebrate the winter and summer solstices and the equinoxes, which make far more sense to me, but it is impossible to ignore xmas and easter.
Of course you’re aware that these are also religious fesitvals of the god/goddesses of spring, dawn, fertility etc?
I am of course not privy to the specifics you are talking about. In Singapore which is still a highly religious culture, we never really felt forced to believe in anything. Of course that differs from religion to religion. Like my muslim friends would still face the social pressure of amongst their community if they do not conform to certain behaviours expected of a muslim, similarly for some other religions, there will always be like “you should be like this or else you are not a good muslim/christian/catholic…” But as far as festivals, I guess in the US, it would be more the christmas, easters…what are the things you are pressured to do during these festivals that make you feel like you are participating in a religion? In Singapore, people who are not christians or catholics treats these as just a holiday, and i kid you not, I have friends who are not of these faith who go to churches or sing carols during these holidays…because “it seems like a cool thing to do for this day…” In any case, I am against any sort of social pressure for any faith due to familial or community ties although I admit these are things that happen in some cultures…but still that does not mean I personally would be obliged to lay out evidence of my faith to you, I share to share, not to convince. Just curious in the US, if you refuse to participate in any religious festivals etc, would anything happen to you etc…because like even in Singapore, I have friends who are chased out of the household because their spouses refuse to convert to their religion…so thats the kind of behaviour I personally abhor and personally do not believe God endorse such kind of religious overzealousness.
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I agree with your assesment of the church in Ireland but to me the church is something that is run by men,with all the failures of men being the problem with religion in our country.I grew up in the 70s and 80s but my parents were not very religious so i felt little to no real or lasting influence on my everyday life from religion.
I am in no way religious today but would love to have faith as others do.Who wouldn’t like to believe that those we loved who have past are happy and waiting for us on the other side.If you ask me do i believe there is a god i prefer to say i don’t know as i can neither prove there is or there isn’t a god and don’t need to prove it.
I wouldn’t be the most articulate at putting my opinion across but i know i would be willing to die for my children but i can’t and would prefer not to prove that to someone right now.
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If that was where it ended it would all be fine. You believe what you want to believe and I’ll do the same. We can still be friends.
But, religion in its organised form still has a desire to impose itself on everyone.
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Because people work hard to push their religion to the point where it impacts on my life and the lives of other people.
If the religious kept their religion to themselves it wouldn’t be an issue.
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I don’t see this anywhere in this thread, but people still working hard at the disproval?
Agree that there should be freedom for, and from, religion
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Sun worship makes loads of sense.
I mean, it’s a massive ball of nuclear fire in space which literally created us and provides everything we need
People see sun worship as primitive, but it’s a lot closer to the truth than any of the monotheisms.
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I don’t think anyone is really trying to win anyone other one way or the other. It’s just an interesting discussion.
You don’t. But when people knock on my door and try to sell god to me, they tend to leave in tears. Felt quite sorry for a guy who stopped me in town a few weeks ago. He was in pieces. But he stopped me.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t knock on my door any more. 
Why not just tell them your not interested and say goodbye.
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Where would be the fun in that?
You find it fun to break down peoples beliefs, hurting them in the process
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I’m not being entirely serious.
However, I do think there there is an element of fair game to this. It’s not like I’m outside church in a Sunday shouting that they believe in bullshit.
If you go and knock on someone’s door to hassle them about god you have to be prepared that the person on the other end of your proselytising might have something to say back to you.
They don’t knock on my parents’ either. Was blissful. Next time they knock at home, I’m videoing it.
Because they’re trying to sell their god to me.
Woah there buddy. Do we all want to believe as many true things as possible? I do and the truth has no sympathy foy your faith.