You want to talk about persecution? What about the largely religious movement to ban gay marriage? How come it is only Christians who have ever told me that I am living an immoral life? Talk about intolerance. You dont see people standing outside of churches telling people they believe in a fairy tale but at the Chic Fila Bowl I saw some demonstrators telling me I was going to Hell for being a sports fan.
"Ban" gay marriage? Wouldn't it have to be legal before it could be "banned"? Whether you believe in God or not, there is still right and wrong. And whether you want to believe it or not, our country was founded as a Christian nation. Allow me to demonstrate:
Benjamin Franklin: | Portrait of Ben Franklin
God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel
John Adams and John Hancock:
We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus! [April 18, 1775]
Patrick Henry:
"Orator of the Revolution."
This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.
The Last Will and Testament of Patrick Henry
Thomas Jefferson:
The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend to all the happiness of man.
Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus.
"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."
Thomas Paine:
It has been the error of the schools to teach astronomy, and all the other sciences, and subjects of natural philosophy, as accomplishments only; whereas they should be taught theologically, or with reference to the Being who is the author of them: for all the principles of science are of divine origin. Man cannot make, or invent, or contrive principles: he can only discover them; and he ought to look through the discovery to the Author.
I hope that is enough to help you understand how we have gone to hell in a handbasket. But then again, you're probably much smarter than the greatest thinkers of recent human history right? I'm sure you know more about freedom and liberty than those old farts any day of the week... All sarcasm aside, I'd like to hear exactly why you hate religion so bad...