Joe, I have great respect for you for your opening up the avenues of dialogue here on Mudcat. Although I disagree abour Catholicism and am critical of it, I don't want you to think that I don't respect you personally

We who don't believe have been silenced, sometimes brutally, by religionists who have evangelical fervor under the delusion that their persuasions will have some positive effect.
When I hear a particular religious defense, I feel impelled to take it to task because I honestly don't think that a defense of religion has a positive effect on the welfare of society.

I don't ask those who adhere to their beliefs to give them up in hopes that some day they might examine them more closely and reach a different conclusion but I don't want to force my views down anyone's throat.

I do think, however, that ex-Catholics should consider carefully why they left the Church and not be amenable to any evangelical attempt to woo them back.

I hope we can amiably agree to disagree.