"I don't think there is "a" reason for theists to try to assimilate others, or a single motivation for their worldviews and actions. I suspect it is an ugly tangle of issues that holds them in place. I won't claim to understand…"

"I tend to agree with your approach, Katie. It's the "more bees with honey than with vinegar" approach mixed in with a respect for individual freedoms.   I can feel twisted when someone offer to pray for me or when someone makes…"

"I think we need to define "argument" to address the question at hand. If we mean an exchange of ideas or evidence between parties of differing stands on a topic, then yes, I think it is worth it. The theist gets exposed to ideas and facts…"

"That's the power of community that atheists have lacked up until recently, and that religions have relied upon. Religionists generally recognize that power, and that's why they want to to keep us in the closet."

"In situations like that, I do tend to go with the flow, but with the internal understanding that I am bowing out of respect for the real people around me."

"Awesome. It takes bravery to put yourself under fire like that. Did you get that courage from Jesus? ;-)"

"These are evil, evil people. The fact that they think they are not makes them that much more dangerous. We have a moral obligation to negate their influence and, since we are now finding our way out of the closet, this is the best time ever to do so."