How do we teach religious folks the truth about the way the world really works?

Persistence.

Logic.

Reason.

Common-sense.

Science.

Ridicule.

Sarcasm.

Irony.

Searching questions.

Testing proposals.

Asking for their evidence of the actuality of an imaginary friend.

Example - (ourselves as successful and moral humans)

It's apparent that I can't prove God's existence to you more then you can prove that He doesn't exist. But I have faith in Him and that he looks over me.

It might seem silly to you, but I am happy with my choice and you are happy with yours. I can't tell you how the world works or why God's will is His own.

Even someone who is spiritual seeks to know more then what they are told. That is why we all have free will. I choose to aknowledge that there is a higher being.

I still can not tell you this is truth.

So I can't say that you are wrong.

Please do not proselytize those with faith.

We all have to learn to be a little more open minded of each other. It's also not your place to judge other's beliefs and they would questions yours.

And to agree with you on your comment to Diane. I do agree that it is unfair that churches do not have to pay taxes and they get tax breaks. They are a public organization/business that offers a service, they should pay too.

Ron, I am sad to read your question. Your question reminded me when the Iraq war was just starting, one of the post-doctors asked me:" does your God tell you that there are nuclear materials in Iraq?" I said:"No!" I am a Christian and believe in God. But I am a President Bush protestor and against Iraq war because it was based on lies and against what God teaches us.

Share with you a few verses from Bible. I think if we obey God's words, the world will be different than we are in now. If we all obey the ten commands, our lives will be leisure and happy.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28).

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14).

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it (1 Corinthians 4:12).

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9).

We teach them by leading better, fruitful lives to show that humans don't need celestial rewards to be good and prosper.

I.e. 12 members of my family are religious...highly religious....all are divorced with children from different people. I am the only atheist and have the best marriage, education, and job. That's how we convince them.

Are they the religious folks which say this business now and its different.

Are they these the religious folks that that said ,I not stuckong up for him over my friend.

Are they the religious folks that said prove it.

Ur life should be ur message. What u want to convey to others, be a living example of that so that people come to u for learning and u do not ve to go to them to teach.

A man once said, "There is no god!"

Another said, "My lord, my God!"

Unfortunately, for each, the statements came true.

Junior, you haven't lived long enough, been enough places, felt enough pain nor seen enough of the horror that, eventually, this life will bring you to your knees.

You're in for a very abrupt rude awakening.

God Bless You to know Him at that time.

You know how the atheists around here are always complaining about "religious people" preaching to you? You guys really crack me up.

Edit: Oh, forgive me, dear. You have the right to do to other people something you don't want done to yourself, and you justify that with politics. Well, you do have a... unique view of the world. It must be nice never to be wrong, and never to doubt yourself.

You've heard the phrase, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't drill logic and reason into its head with a sledgehammer"?

Oh wait...I'm not sure that that's quite how it goes...

Better pack a lunch,