That's a bit of hubris, there, Tunesmith. You seem to be under the impression that you are the only fair minded, free thinking person here. Yet, you seem to put all your faith (yes, dammit, faith!) in a book (Bible: Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin biblia, from Greek, pl. of biblion, book.) you have read(!), insist that others read the book too, and then accuse others of small-mindedness and embracing blind faith when they don't take you as seriously as you would like to be taken. You make a lot of assumptions about a lot of things. I have already read several books on this same subject. They get pretty repetitive after awhile, so I'm not about to waste my time and money reading yet another one.

I can—and, in the past, have—argued from the viewpoint that you are now espousing. I have since matured a bit, and without going into my particular credo, I have learned that in the absence of solid evidence one way or the other, to continue arguing the point is just plain silly. I have also learned that, although much evil has been done by organized religions, is being done now, and undoubtedly will continue to be done in the future, there is a distinct and definite value to be found in religious belief, both on a personal level and in the world at large. Here's a clue: some churches do a great deal of good. I know of several churches of different denominations right here in my neighborhood when the members have adopted as their guiding credo a brief, but all important passage from the book of Matthew.

Brace yourself! Here it comes!

Jesus, whether he existed or not, is reputed to have said:
        "I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: I was naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me."
        And they asked him, saying, "Lord, when did you hunger and we fed you? Or thirst, and we gave you drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in? Or naked and clothe you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?"
        And he answered them, saying, "Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."

(You didn't really think you could get away without have Scripture quoted at you, did you?)
These churches take this seriously. They run free meal programs (no accompanying sermon), they seek lodging for the homeless, they visit people in hospitals (not to cram the Gospel down their throats when they are lying there helpless, but simply to see if they need anything), they run an Alternatives to Violence program in the prisons (in an effort to decrease recidivism—and violence), and many other truly meaningful and effective social programs. They don't just practice their religion on Sundays, they carry it over into their everyday lives. They walk the walk, and they live the life. I respect these people very highly for what they believe, and especially the integrity they have in acting on their beliefs. These people to a lot of good in the world.

You want to throw out the good with the bad. I find your trashing of religion a bit short-sighted. And, I might add, it shows a disturbing trend toward blind prejudice on your part.

Don Firth