First, thank you to those of you who understand where I'm coming from.

I did not insult anyone. I stated my beliefs, and in saying you don't choose your beliefs, I believe that to be true, also. You can't believe a little blue man is standing next to you by choice. Something has to convince you. You can tell yourself he's there, but if, in your heart of hearts, you don't believe he's not there, you can't make yourself believe. I did not mean that you don't research what feels right to you; I meant that you can't choose to believe something that doesn't make sense to you. I also didn't mean you don't choose your religion; I said you don't choose your beliefs.

Second, I did not post that thread for debate or for people to share their faith. I wanted to hear from freethinkers, atheists, agnostics, etc. I'm very offended that the thread was locked. I don't think I'll be hanging around here much longer. I don't go into the religious threads and tell people there's no God (which I don't definitely believe), although on a handful of occasions, I've stated what I believe. I have no told anyone they're wrong in this forum on their beliefs.

When people bring up God, I rarely say anything, even though I don't like it pushed on me. But if I do say that's not my belief, it's often countered, and I feel disrespected by that. Many religious people don't understand how disrespectful it is to push their beliefs on non-believers and non-religious persons, because they feel they're right, and it's in your best interest to believe. Many atheists think it's in your best interest to NOT believe, but you'd get upset and feel disrespected if they pushed that on you.