I think I discovered exactly what bugs me about religious debate (aside from scientific issues), and it involves the assumption that people are talking about Christianity. Apologies to those of other faiths if I'm mistaken. I think it's a safe bet as most american religions are Christian-based; also I'm going from discussions I've seen and Judaism and Islam didn't come up, so I'm going with my assumption. I can't speak to other religions as well as I'm not versed in them, but I'm very versed in Christianity.

I think what really gets in my craw is that sometimes people who seem pretty harsh and narrow-minded with people (very UN-Christian) then the next minute they're proclaiming their faith. UGH!!! I see it not only here but all around me in life.

If you are a Christian, you are OBLIGATED to be compassionate, understanding, forgiving. That's the deal. Like it or not, that's the Christian teaching. It's a very hard road; I don't agree with it entirely, I think forgiveness isn't always called for. But that is in fact the Christian philosophy. When Christ himself was being crucified, he said "Forgive them Father, for they Know Not What they Do". This is one of the most famous lines of Christ's words.

I'm just so over people who say they're religious/spiritual/christian yet who are assuming, judgemental, condescending etc. If you are genuinely going to profess to be a Christian, you can't just run to the Lord when you're short on cash or crashed your car on a drunken binge, but you have to walk that road of compassion every day. That's the program. You have to always be trying to see through other people's eyes. I think that this philosophy is part of many other religions as well, but I know teachings vary. I don't mean to offend or exclude other faiths, this is just my area of knowledge, so I can't comment on other religions in an informed way.

I grew up with Christianity and had to study the bible, been around everything from Catholic to Charismatic to Pentacostal-- faith healing, speaking in tongues etc. My mother was almost a nun (can you believe it? she changed her mind!) I grew up with clergy members as family friends, so this is very familiar territory to me.

Some of the most noble people have been clergy (MLK, clergy of El Salvador, Fr Roy Bourgeois. Fr Daniel Berrigan). Their integrity was unassailable. Also, I've seen some people here who are Christian and I can really tell by how they interact with people that they are genuine. I may not see eye to eye with them about everything, but I really admire their compassion and kindness.

I think it's like the old saying, spirituality is like sex, those who have the least, talk about it the most. Don't tell me your beliefs, just act on them. Then agnostics like me will take you more seriously.