I know internet culture well enough to know that I shouldn't get involved, but I absolutely must know- why? Everywhere I see religious debates, I see an attitude that I can only describe as hatred on the part of the atheists towards (for lack of more succinct words) believers. From what I see (perhaps my perceptions are skewed due to the fact that I am likely surrounded by exceptional ...human specimens) the vast majority of religious people are NOT fundamentalist wackjobs- science meshes easily with belief, and the belief provides a comforting framework for life. I don't have anything against anybody's religion or lack thereof: Atheist, Agnostic, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Satanist, you name it, so long as the religion's tenants don't step on any legal toes I say live and let live; or in this case, worship (or not) and let worship (or not).
I see the exact opposite attitude from Atheists, and to a lesser extent, Agnostics. (I hate to generalize here, but please understand that I must speak in broad and indefinite terms to communicate my statement with any degree of celerity) What I see is a cold, logical, and contemptuous ...for lack of more accurate words, campaign to argue religion out of existence: believers are Byzantine relics from a more barbarous age, who cling to a now-unnecessary "God" and hold us back, unaware that "He" is no longer needed in today's advanced society. All I want to know is "why?" Why can't we just leave each other alone?
Heh... I suppose this goes down to basic human nature... Europe (and England in particular; Europe is a large place, don'cha know?) is, by and large, a total conquest on the part of the Atheists. 2000 years Several centuries of Christian tradition and belief, wiped clean during the last century. Quite frankly, I don't know how it happened (but I'd be willing to bet money on post-modern disillusion after World War 2), but it doesn't matter now. Are we in a position to witness the end of religion? I fear the answer may be "yes".
Oh, and regarding Mr. Yahoo Answers. Protip- She's not a virgin.
Edit: My bad. It's not 2000 years, but several centuries... Whoops.