OK, I do not believe in a religion- I too think religion is a holdover from a barbaric past where it was the closest thing to a science we had. I see no difference between christianity, islam, and worshipping Zeus and the greek gods.

But do I hate religion? No.... I just feel it is a waste of time... most religions teach good things, IF the devout actually follow the tenets they are good human beings... Some of the best people I have known were very devout, but also the worst people I have known were devout as well. As a kid, I had a friend whose father was a preacher- That SOB had no guilt beating up his kid for no goddamn reason in front of me... people like that make me wish I could believe in a hell for them to burn in...

I feel that human beings KNOW right and wrong without having to consult a religious text. I try to be kind and good- but I don't do it because I fear eternal torture... I just do it because I feel it is right- in my opinion, those that act only out of fear of a cruel god sentencing them to eternal torture are moral weaklings. I expect no reward when I do good, but I don't need to be threatened to choose to do good.

Where I get upset is when the devout push their hang-ups onto me... when they push ID into schools, or regulate sexuality with laws, or demand I respect their commandments (when they do not respect them themselves)- THAT is where I draw the line.