Have you tried them before knocking them?

A very commendable attitude.

So, did you wear hip boots? It appears so.

Because like someone once pointed out to me, I don't need to murder to understand its wrong, wrong, wrong. But then, there's always the ones who just have to test that electric fence sign.... 10,000 Volts -- Do NOT touch! There's no helping some people.

How about we challenge you to a walk? Try walking a quarter mile in exmormon's shoes, if you claim you are so "tolerant". See if you get the warm fuzzies of being told you are now going to mormon hell because you've rejected THEIR beliefs, and not that you've rejected Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. How can one be apostate if they haven't rejected Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? And just why must we go to mormon hell when we are no longer members? Does it seem to you, too, its a crime to be born mormon then leave by freedom of your own conscience? NO other church claims that, but they think they can still send you there. Talk about bizarre. Did you also know most exiting mormons either turn toward atheism or Christianity? VERY few walk away free of lifelong scars or towards seeking true healing in Christ. Lets see if your knees knock, then. Until you learn.

I was forced into a fundamentalist cult by my family while I was growing up. Is that enough proverbial miles for you? You don't knock them because you have no understanding of them. Your life wasn't made into a freakish hell because of them. I have tried many religions since and they are bogus bs. Becoming an atheist was the high point of my life religiously speaking. :))

I have been catholic, protestant and an evangelical christian in my life time. I have also been to Iraq twice and am currently serving in afghanistan. I have seen the types if ignorant violence that "faith" can bring to the world. These ceremonies, while sometimes very majestic, are no longer a comfort to me because of the metaphysical substance involved.

I can not tolerate that which allows so many to be so evil.

Because to do that you would need to believe what they believe and unfortunately, I would need a lobotomy to believe in something for which there is no evidence. You may well have had some great days out and I'm pleased for you. If people want to believe in something that is fine and I have no issues with that, but when they try to force their beliefs on other people, that is when it is wrong and they truly need knocking.

I think some people don't understand that you can have your own beliefs (or lack of them, if that's the case) and still be open minded enough to find respect and value in things other people beliefe/do... it takes maturity, and confidence in your own positions so you don't feel too threatened to listen to/participate in what others believe/do.

Fair enough I guess. I've been to plenty of Catholic masses myself though, and a few Protestant services.

Have you ever listened to the rantings of someone from the Flat Earth Society?

What about a Reptilian believer?

2012 is the end of the world believer?

Some things I already know are BS and there is no reason to give them my time.

The first two, yes, on a fairly regular basis. It's not matter of not liking it; it's a matter of not believing it.

This does beg a question: if someone brought you a plate of food that literally stank, had a maggot crawling on it, and appeared to be growing mould, would you try it before you decided it was bad?

I have tried them, for 16 years. It took a lot of effort for me to tell myself that I simply didn't believe in any of it anymore. For a while I convinced myself that I still believe in God, just in a different way, but I can see now that that wasn't true.

I also say you can have no knowledge of what you disagree with less you have some foreign experience. Plus I have experienced many different doctrines and faiths