Why do conservative Christians insist they are being persecuted for their beliefs when they are not allowed to shove them down everyone else's throats? Most critical thinkers merely ignore the ranting of blind faith fanatics because they have already realized there is no point in responding. They know it is nearly impossible to have a rational conversation with a person so fiercely entrenched in illogical reasoning, but enough is enough! There is no reason I should be subjected to personal attacks and patronizing remarks about my allegedly perverse life of sin from a person who has never bothered to investigate any philosophy or avenue of thought other than what he is told.
There is a world of difference between having faith in a higher power and leading an arrogant life of intentional ignorance about most of the world, a world which is supposedly immoral and doomed to Hell. It is inherently essential that we be convinced of the absolute truth and validity of our personal beliefs, or they would not be beliefs at all. However, this certainly does not justify or excuse forcing one's personal beliefs on another person who simply is not interested, and is indeed offended by the unwanted condescension. No matter how genuinely the believer fears for the fate of my soul, he must still respect my rights in this life by keeping his opinions to himself.
