I think this is a good point. A friend of mine was brought up as a very strict Catholic, and is now an atheist; but he's a *Catholic* atheist as he has an almost religious duty to his new-found atheism - joining humanist groups, performing humanist ceremonies and services (ironic that he's become a de facto priest) and generally proselytising.

Another guy I know is a born-again Christian, but was brought up as a new-ager. Although his beliefs are pretty fundamentalist, his approach is still very laid-back and his interpretations tend to the inclusive (for example, in incorporating how non-believers will avoid hell).

The religion one was brought up in does seem to pervade our belief system, even when we change it later in life. One reason why children shouldn't be exposed to religion; like porn and sex, it should be a matter of free choice for over-16s only.

Aren't you happy we don't have a rule against dumb ass questions? If you would read back from the beginning of this topic, you haven't made a single statement but did nothing but ask questions. I thought this was a debate forum, not a Q@A session.

But to answer this one, if there is a legit reason for that, such as keeping incestuous couples from marrying, I would have no problem with it. Again, it's all in the "why"'s.

Some forums have a "No one liner rule" because one line posts usually don't progress the debate. I'm beginning to understand why.

Why do you think that?

Oh, did I anger you? well, perhaps people with unwhole bodies should be considered unnormal and not allowed to married. there, this was not a one-liner. let's discuss what you bring to marriage?

He prefers talking about balloons.

Good question.

Strange you would ask.

You expressed interest in why that specific age range. I replied that it was simply offered as a comparison.

I don't know that I would say that the younger generation has always been less religious than the previous one. Certainly that has been the case in the last two generations, but I really can't speak for the time beyond that point.

I suspect that people become 'more religious' as they get older because of an inborn fear of their own mortality. as they approach an age where the immortality complex, that most young people have, wears off, they turn to religion as a way of extending their lives beyond the mortal realm.