...(if you think that)? Do you really think that a religion would last so long in this way?
People can freely leave their religion and do leave
when they choose to (but only a fraction leave).
Does fear and guilt make converts successfully who stick
with it so long?

Can you realize that you AND the religious are
really after truth (not fear, not guilt, and not arrogance)?

The religious (at least some) accuse you of being over confident, sometimes arrogant, short sighted, brainwashed by
society, in denial, blind, having covered-up fear, rebellion, etc.
while you accuse the religious of the same things.

We Both agree that the truth sets free.
You feel free and they feel free or else they
would not be doing what they are doing.

Freedom comes with facing reality - either
material (natural/physical), spiritual, or both.

The religious see life as a blessing - that the universe
was created by supernatural not natural
or else we would not have all the awareness, questions,
experiences...
That it really is all about love and we are lonely without God - that love is
not just chemical/emotional or
empathy but much more that has
to do with source and cure for us.