AJ777,

"Is it possible one to be indoctrinated into Atheism just as well as in a particular religious belief?"

Are you being indoctrinated into atheism? If not, why not?

@accessmymynd: Have you ever noticed that Athiestism cannot find much of a place in the world of American politics and government ?

Are atheists to blame for that, or is it a symptom of profound dysfunction in the American political system? Perhaps it's time for America to dump its outmoded first-past-the-post race between Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dumber, and adopt a truly democratic electoral system.

I don't see why a person's religion or lack thereof should of any interest to voters. Politics and government should be primarily focused on getting the economy right and maintaining law and order. When people vote according to which god a candidate pretends to prays to, you end up with a bunch of talentless hypocrites wearing their Bibles on their sleeves.

@ Accessmy mind

I see so many atheists, especially in this forum who step outside of reality and attempt to make their case based on unfactual alternatives as they gather a string of half verses and out of context phrazes from the Bible.

Hilarious. The irony burns so much. Stick around on these forums and see how many theists come on these threads quoting the Bible or The Qu'ran as ineffable proof of their faith.
The many of them get surly and flounce their petticoats when we quote either whole passages (in context) , the correct passages, or other passages that flatly contradict what they are saying.

I have yet to meet another theist (I have met two, in person) who have the most rudimentary grasp on the history and origins of their faith, never mind their book. Most are woefully, wilfully ignorant.

If you want cases of intellectual dishonesty there are a couple here already ...just read the posts and the replies. Note the avoidance of direct questions. The refusal to respond when mendacity or ignorance is exposed.

It is the theists chaining themselves to the lowest and demonstrably criminal enterprises in the form of tax subsidised organised religion that are " appeal[ing] and align[ing] themselves with the most dishonorable and base and failed elements of society.

(Edit: Tags and spelling)

@AJ777: there could be nothing more important than to find out Who that creator is and for what purpose you and the universe were created.

People have been searching for the answer to that question for millennia without any apparent success. All humanity has to show for these efforts is a library full of conflicting religious texts, and a cruel and bloody history. If the creator exists and wants us to know its purpose, why can't it just tell us in unmistakable terms, such as a set of commandments written in kilometer-high letters on the Moon?

As for the conversations here, are you surprised that they center on atheism and the folly of religion? This is a community of atheists. Do you expect us to talk about cars or cooking? As it says in forum banner, "For many atheists around the world, online forums and discussion groups are one of the few ways to connect with others who share their views."

What do people talk about in churches and seminaries?

AJ777 "My experience here thus far is that dissenting opinions are met by hostility and derision by some,"

That clearly has less to do with your beliefs, and more to do with your arrogant, sneering attacks on atheists, and your rank dishonesty. However if you find the opinions of atheists so objectionable why stick around, it;s not like you have anything to offer but more sententious preaching and trolling.

" It can’t be helped that your beliefs and attitudes help to shape the beliefs and attitudes and behaviors of your children. "

You have no idea what atheists do or do not teach their children. Besides you don't know why it is immoral to torture children, so why should we care what you think about their education?

Your trolling, and sententious preaching is tedious, and this is why your posts are largely derided.

@AJ777

"Seems to me that if atheism is false and a creator of you, and the universe exists, there could be nothing more important than to find out Who that creator is and for what purpose you and the universe were created."

Please prove there was a "creator".

"AJ777 seems to think"

I've seen little evidence to support that premise. An automaton blindly following ancient dogma and doctrine. He seems to prefer it this way, many theists do. It seems to assuage their fears and existential angst.

@AJ777: When a young person asks why sharing good fortune is a good thing how do you answer that?

The Golden Rule is a good place to start. Christianity doesn't have a copyright on that.