you’re free to stop participating any time. If you decide you no longer want to follow their silly rules then you don’t have to.
Sorry, nothing personal, but this is remarkably out of touch with reality. You frame it as being just as easy like not believing in Santa anymore. When children are raised in strict religious conditions it often means their entire identity and social structure is built around it. The slightest hint of doubt could mean negative repercussions, and wavering faith or leaving it has a high likelihood of being ostracized by the community. Not to speak of severe punishment. Moreover, brainwashed people lack the cognitive capabilities to question themselves. I'd even say the majority of humans struggle with this whether they are religious or not.
It’s a little weird to call out specific religions here for behavior they all engage in.
First, some religions have worse track records than others. Second, your imploration was to "name a more iconic duo", which you got. Third, what's actually weird is FGM and kiddy fiddling.
religions are bad but as long as we live in a world where they are voluntary
Religion isn't voluntary because it's perpetuated by the indoctrination of children.
Governments and telling people how they’re allowed to dress. Name a more iconic duo.
My grandfather believed in a Hildegard von Bingen based religion that got him convinced putting rocks under his pillow and following a strict monotonous diet would be good for his health. He died.
“Men will continue to commit atrocities as long as they continue to believe absurdities.” ―Voltaire
All religion should be a thing of the past. If banning something is the best course of action I don't know, but currently it would be something I'd vote yes to if I could; unless someone convinces me otherwise without using ad hominems, nonsensical claims such as being racist, or any other fallacies. I simply despise anything that makes humanity dumber.
To consider antireligion instead of atheism
“The harm of religion is historically evident whereas the presence or absence of gods is not. Ultimately, the continued existence of religion is predicated on the indoctrination of children and suppression of rational thought. Therefore, I am against religion but not necessarily against the idea of gods. For all we know gods are computer scientists and we are in their video game.” ―https://www.arscyni.cc/file/antireligion.html
Honestly that’s the best I got.
I'll take whatever of that sparse good stuff that's given us.
Well, we don't do witch hunts anymore.
[Accidentally checks world news.]
Oh goddammit.
Technologically we've witnessed wonderful advances. Appendicitis? Appendectomy. Rotten tonsils? Yeet them yonder. However, psychologically and ethically, when reading back to societies from 2000 years ago, we haven't improved a bit as a species.
“Advertisement: a public notice
especially : a paid notice that is published or broadcast (as to attract customers or to provide information of public interest)” ―https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advertisement
Do you think Clay Butler pays to have his cartoons published?
“What a way to kill the fun.”
But, where does killing the fun start exactly? Isn't it you who first expressed the contrarian opinion? Surely you must expect people to refute your claims, or at the very least some pushback.
Why do you consider this an advert? Because it mentions Sidewalk Bubblegum, which is “Clay Butler’s self-syndicated weekly political cartoon”? I hardly think that by drawing cartoons such as God Bless America, Or Else! he belongs to the racket of greedy profiteers who manipulate people into buying stuff they don't need.
Thrasher should make a list with links to all the parts honestly.