Religion, in contrast to many other human conditions, is purely a choice.
Race, gender, hair color, sexual orientation, body type, and many other characteristics are not choices. What we cannot choose, we cannot change.
Religion is not like that at all. Every person chooses religious belief, even if they don't think they do. Even in places where religion is controlled by the state, people choose whether they believe or do not. They may choose to appear as though they believe, even if they do not, but it's all a choice. People who are raised in a religion, too, often end up not believing the tenets of that religion.
What one chooses to believe or follow does not give one the right to choose for others. If someone thinks it does, then they have given up their own right to choose to that degree, but that means nothing to anyone else, really.
Many religions claim that they are the only path to righteousness, eternal life, or whatever. Their followers sometimes believe this wholeheartedly or not. But, their beliefs are contradicted by people who believe some other religion is the only correct path. It's all nonsense and self-contradictory, really.
No amount or sincerity of religious belief comes with any right to dictate the beliefs of others. Some people can't accept that, and continue to try to dictate belief. Such attempts are worthless and unsuccessful, in the end. There are always many who do not accept such dictates and who will believe or disbelieve by their own choice. Others will just pretend.
Rejecting the right of the religious to dictate to others who do not follow their religion is a fundamental tenet of freedom. I reject all such beliefs, and cannot believe what I do not believe. All efforts to make me believe will fail miserably.
Believe what you can, religious people. I don't care, and I won't try to make you disbelieve. But, please, do not attempt to force me in any way to believe as you do, nor attempt to force me to follow your religion's restrictions. I will take extreme umbrage from that and will defy you openly and publicly. That's my choice. You've made your choice. I insist that you leave me to make mine.
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