So when you are like me and you basically view the majority of people as being brainwashed into cults, no you do not view that as a normal or good thing. You try to figure out how to unbrainwash them, but it's a really f'ing difficult thing to do, or else someone would have done it by now.
People do not change their beliefs unless they want to. Changing beliefs takes a willingness and desire to change. That doesn't just extend to religion, it relates to nearly any belief you have. Fear of dogs? Fear of spiders? Fear of snakes? Even things like losing weight are almost always tied to your beliefs.
As an adult looking back on what I learned as a young child, the experience seems tailored to brainwashing young children. I can't tell you the number of bonfires I went to where the sole purpose was to instill fear in me that if I did not follow, the heat from the bonfire would not even come close to the pain and heat I would experience as I burned in hell. For eternity. I was probably 6 or 7 when that started. That's just one example.
People believe for a number of reasons and provided they are respectful, it shouldn't bother you. For those who were born into it, they don't believe because they are idiots; some of them believe because the people they trusted most in the world (parents) taught them this. The parents believed they were doing the right thing. And, everything they learned until the age of 18-22 reinforced their beliefs. Those children will grow up going to church a few days a week and they will attend religious school five days a week where these ideas are reinforced until they are 18. They will be pushed to attend certain religious institutions (i.e. Bob Jones University, Brigham Young, etc.) and they will mingle with others who believe the same things they do. They will marry one of those people and have 2.3 children where the cycle will repeat itself. They were born into it; they didn't ask for it.
I think we agree on pretty most of this. I understand that the cycle repeats over and over. I get that. Once in a while someone escapes the cycle, but then I'm sure some atheists lose their children to religion (this would personally kill me, but it is what it is).
But I don't get the "It shouldn't bother you" comment. Yes it bothers me because...
1) Many of these people inject their beliefs into government. That is unacceptable and MUST be countered.
2) It is not healthy for people to function under delusions. It's just not. I mean, when does "crazy" start? If I said I had invisible unicorns in my yard wouldn't you be concerned about me?
3) These people keep trying to win MORE and MORE converts to their crazy. Hell, they go to foreign countries and try to inject their crazy into societies who don't want it.
My counter is, why doesn't any of the above bother you??
I don't typically like to get involved in discussions like this for a number of reasons. But, I'll answer your sincere question as I'm hoping you're genuinely interested in hearing opinions that may differ from yours. My statement, "People believe for a number of reasons and provided they are respectful, it shouldn't bother you" means this: I'm not suggesting what people
do with their beliefs shouldn't bother you (#1), I'm suggesting the idea
that they believe shouldn't bother you. I want to make sure I'm clear on that.
I think all of your points basically point to a frustration with #1. And, I, too, am bothered by religion being injected into the government, no matter the religion. For those who are bothered by it, I urge them to get involved in politics and if they are already involved and still dissatisfied, do more. Your time will be better spent getting involved, or getting more involved, rather than taking issue with the believer. This goes back to the idea that you are very unlikely to change someone's belief unless
they are willing and determined to do so.
As for #2, here is my take: the definition of delusion is "an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of mental disorder". I more or less disagree with your use of the word delusion in this context. I understand you view it as a delusion, but that's subjective and I think there are more appropriate terms with less flair. Unless your belief in invisible unicorns impacted me (#1), it wouldn't bother me. When your belief in unicorns impacted my rights (#1), I would get involved as previously stated. This isn't to say I am not concerned about my fellow man, but realistically, we all make choices that aren't the best for our health and who is to say what the standard should be?
Overall, I think your main concern with #2 is really #1 unless you're regularly in the habit of talking to people about how bad meat is for them and the environment, how smoking will kill them, how they shouldn't be eating that cookie because the sugar is bad for them, etc. This isn't really an issue of their health, it's really an issue of these people taking their beliefs and injecting them into the government. Again, a valid concern, but I don't view the solution as telling them they are delusional and wrong.
As for #3, again, this only impacts you if you are concerned about #1. I urge you to be open-minded, flexible, and to view some data. Most of the people causing #1 are the people who are fundamentalists and more extreme Christian sects. Those people are the minority (1). If you look at those extreme groups, their numbers are decreasing*(2) and overall, church attendance is dwindling (3) which is an important aspect of it because of the community and group think that occurs.
Humans and the world are constantly evolving, changing, and growing. If you look at how the world once was, at any point in history, there is no denying that we are progressing (some people and countries faster than others). If you look at how faith has shaped the U.S., you will see the immense progress that has been made. It may not be fast enough for you, but there is no denying that this shift has taken place.
My main thought is that you risk alienating people when you put them down under the guise of wanting to help them. I would urge you to be a little more flexible in your thinking and approach.
1:
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/09/how-the-faithful-voted-a-preliminary-2016-analysis/ and
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/11/07/how-religious-groups-voted-in-the-midterm-elections/2:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/210704/record-few-americans-believe-bible-literal-word-god.aspx*Initially said dwindling, which was hyperbolic. Decreasing is more appropriate.
3:
http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/attendance-at-religious-services/ and