I received a private message today accusing me of being a troll and not genuinely seeking knowledge.

This accusation was solicited by a religious question I posed to whoever may look at my Facebook status. Essentially, as per the message I received, I should look at religion openly and not be so judgmental. In most cases this is certainly good advice and the way any intellectual should think and act. The time does come however when certain ideas cannot be entertained or respected. Religion has caused the death and suffering of billions of people around the world. Fighting gay rights, opposing contraception, voting for a candidate based on religion, and attempting to destroy intellectualism are just a few. Any religious claim anyone has ever made has not been grounded in rationalism or scientific inquiry. In any other sphere of understanding this would be unforgivable. Even religious folks think rationally and respect evidence quite often. They use logic and evidence to purchase a safe car, find a new dentist, make a budget, or troubleshoot a problem. Why in this one very important case do they abandon these tools? How can I be open minded towards a group of people who freely admit they are not? Religious people universally claim I believe because I have faith. Has anyone ever heard a compelling argument supporting the claims made by any religion? This writer has read and watched much in the past ten years and has never found a shred of evidence for any religious belief. Often when being criticized for criticizing religion I am accused of being on the flip side of the same coin. In other words, Nick, you are just as bad as the people you disagree with. This claim is laughable at best. The religious person (agent y) has made the claim x, whatever x might be. The burden is on the religious individual to show evidence for this claim. The difference here is the methodology of the two individuals, in this case agent y and Nick. Agent y is making a claim based on no facts, logic, evidence, or data. They are simply proposing that x is true because I know or believe that it is. I am simply asking for evidence for your claim. While I might share a certain similarity in regards to passion and certainty, the difference is my certainty is based on reason and evidence. An important note here; the religious individual makes no claim of any evidence for their position. If they do claim to have evidence it is usually a holy book, verbal tradition, and/or a personal experience more easily explained by human physiology and psychology. The more general argument I am making is without evidence any claim should be discounted. This is not only in regards to religion. This is an anecdotal point but is worth mentioning. From birth to age 18 I was a religious individual. When I attended university and was presented with evidence contrary to my beliefs I was forced to change them. Without a sense of open mindedness I would still be giving my money to child rapists and worshiping a sky wizard. Religion has enjoyed a comfortable place in our human society for millennia. The only time it has been question has been between the various different religions themselves. Religion being the most powerful social force on earth should be exposed to the most scrutiny. Unfortunately even in the progressive time we are in religion is still off the table. Like most evil things it should not be coddled or sheltered. Ideas not based on facts should be dismissed until some evidence is presented to support them. To those of you who think I am a troll or are not open minded I challenge you to propose a rational and fact based argument for your beliefs. If you are unable to do soit is you who is close minded.