I've found that, with the exception of children raised in fundamentalist families (and quite disturbing to the families, I'm sure, only a percentage of them), the scales fall off the eyes of most kids and much of religious mythology goes the way of belief in Santa Claus, and at about the same age.

By the way, Little Hawk, I'd like to know what's wrong with being emotionally involved in believing in and attempting to convey to others the truth? Verifiable, scientific facts? You say "emotionally involved" as if that negates anything the person you are accusing of being emotionally involved says. I know, I know, that's not what you mean. So if not, why even bring it up? Of course a person is emotionally involved in what they are attempting to convey. I am very dubious of people who are not passionately involved in matters of importance, such as not destroying life on earth--or for that matter, the civil rights of oppressed minorities. The question is not their emotional involvement, but the validity of the information itself and the ethical nature of their cause.

Don Firth