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OK so here's a question someone just asked me; Why do so many people -- the vast majority of humans, believe in a deity of one kind or another?

Let's ignore for a moment the argument for the "God part of the brain". This does well to presuppose why gods existed in the days gone by. But TODAY, in 2005, when we have more knowledge than ever, and none of it pointing to a deity, why do people still believe? Why do they lie just to support their belief, instead of admitting that gods are mythology and moving on with their lives?

I say many of the people who CLAIM to be religious are as nontheistic as I am, they are just in denial. After all, it is really pretty picture to say everyone lives forever and all the bad guys get punished and all the good guys go to heaven, so people half-deliberately PRETEND to believe in it, even though they do not.

Case-in-point, let's look at Bill Clinton. Now, I like President Clinton, and I strongly wish he was still president.

He's very smart -- everyone knows how intelligent he is. If, as he claims, he is a religious Christian, then he believes he will go to Hell for eternity if he dies while committing repeated adultery. that's really bad, right? Why would a smart man take such a stupid chance? Look at Swaggert (or was it Roberts?) who had sex with the prostitute ("I have sinned against you my loooord"). I mean, how stupid would you have to be to risk eternity in Hell just to get your rocks off? Pretty darn!

Indeed, look at every so-called theist who sins (affairs, gambling, etc) on a regular basis. They say they believe, they say they fear hell, yet they behave as if they do not. Why?

My opinion: They are all faking it. Deep down, they are Atheists, each and every one of them. And, much like the sometimes violent reaction that a drug addict has when confronted with the reality of his addiction, they lash out at those who pose a threat to burst their fragile bubble of fantasy.

The bigotry against Atheists doesn't always come from religion -- it comes from the fear of reality creeping in the way of a pretty picture.

Look, I'm not much different. I wish I was immortal too. I wish all my grandparents were waiting for me in Heaven, and I wish all the bad guys in the world got punished, even if they don't get caught. I also wish the World Trade Center was still standing, AIDS and hunger didn't exist, and we were a world at total peace. Sorry, folks, wishing doesn't make it true. Maybe it's time to burst your own bubble.