Understood, Wine. It is not you, it is our society. In what was essentially a pre-emptive strike, the evangelical movement did two things that created intolerance: first, they created and distributed the myth that Christianity is a persecuted minority in this nation. Second, they fully and completely allied themselves with the Republican Party. Lance or anyone here with family who attend evangelical churches can attest to this - the politicization of that faith is total and totally one-sided (though of course individuals differ - I speak of the leadership of the movement).


Thus, not only is any question about Christianity seen as an attack upon the faith, it is also a political issue and responded to by the Republicans as though it were an attack upon them. As you know, Wine, questions are NOT attacks, and we all know that you meant no assault ... and committed no assault. You were reasonable and calm and polite, but sadly that is no longer enough. Coming up, we were always taught NEVER to discuss religion or politics ... but this IS a political discussion group. It seems logical that we could also discuss faith ... but apparently we cannot.


I personally feel that unquestioned faith cannot be deeply held faith, but clearly this is a minority view in 21st-century America. I must both intellectually as well as emotionally grasp a concept to truly internalize it, and I do NOT believe that this makes me a heretic and I KNOW that it does not make me an atheist.


I just do not know this nation of my birth anymore in so many ways. I am sorry - both for you and for the spirit of intellectual freedom without which I do not believe liberty can survive.