Perhaps that's the trick. Sound reasonable and inclusive and you are respected.

The snag is, you end up being inadvertently respected by those with no self respect.

I have a history of berating Jack and delighting in his reactions to my name calling. I also disagree with him on many key points. But you know what? All it did was accidentally put him in the same boat as certain others, (see Jack's post above) which is as bad as his gaining their respect.

I've learned. Jack has learned.

You can't have a laugh, take the piss and joke and hold beneath contempt at the same time.

Still, lying about your religion isn't lying if you keep your fingers crossed, regardless.