Of course there is a "rational reason" for beliefs that are mostly passed down from parents. For example, there are many many traditions and cultural beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation. Would one say that these are not rational? Of course not!
Just watch me. Belief in the teachings of authority is not data-based, and thus is not rational in the narrow sense that I mean, as in, a logical conclusion based on data. Very little about manners is rational, not the hand you hold the fork in, nor the choice of using chopsticks. It's just manners.

... Toleration of religious belief is one of the great foundations of this country. Intolerance of the beliefs of others is the major motivations of pretty much every major crime committed in the name of religion. Exactly. Intolerance of others' beliefs ities is the problem. But nobody is killing atheists for not believing in any deity; instead, believers of one are slaughtering believers in another, wholesale. Time to stop putting up with that nonsense as "freedom of religion." Where is freedom FROM religion?

If you think intolerance with [I assume the poster meant "will"] avert major harm, you will have to do it outside the laws of this country. Nonsense. There is no law against laughing and pointing when someone says something ridiculous. Only the *government* is supposed to stay out of people's religions, not the other people.

Also keep in mind that the people whose views you are planning not to tolerate are much better at dealing with the intolerance game than you. Most have played it from both sides. I am certain that we need more tolerance. not less. Well, I guess nobody *you* know was actually slaughtered by the above-mentioned religious people whom you think should be tolerated. Don't you know any jews?

If we *all* start the point-and-laugh thing with all silly beliefs (again, NOT just faith in deity, but denial of evolution, belief that women should be sewn shut till marriage, etc etc etc) then we will all be better off, and they will be better educated.