"Haven't lived in a Muslim country, but I have visited Muslim countries. However, I don't see your point. Have all atheists lived in an atheist country?"

The difference is you're presenting your idea here as valid due to its psychological usefulness whereas atheists/agnostics aren't making a statement (usually) about the way life 'should' be. If you are defending religion from an emotional standpoint then Tom's point is valid, since nations built around this structure tend to be tyrannical ones. Saying 'atheist nations stink too' isn't a refutation of atheism (since, at its core, atheism and agnosticism don't say anything societal or emotionally based) but it IS a refutation of religion if you're defending it based on emotion (since it demonstrates that religion's inability to function as a loving unit)

• I think my analogy was a good one - harvey1 - June 11, 2002 - 15:59 UTC