You might find it interesting to read some of the articles on the "Celebrity Atheist List," not regarding atheism per se, but rather because there are some interesting insights on how various people have developed their personal philosophies regarding religion. In particular, linguist Noam Choamsky and Artificial Intelligence pioneer Marvin Minsky have really fascinating comments. Minsky says in part: "When children keep on asking, "Why?" we adults learn to deal with this by simply saying, "just because!" This may seem obstinate, but it's also a form of self-control. What stops adults from dwelling on such questions endlessly? The answer is that every culture finds special ways to deal with these questions. One way is to brand them with shame and taboo; another way is to cloak them in awe or mystery; both methods make those questions undiscussable. Consensus is the simplest way -- as with those social styles and trends wherein we each accept as true whatever all the others do. All human cultures evolve institutions of law, religion, and philosophy, and these institutions both adopt specific answers to circular questions and establish authority -- schemes to indoctrinate people with those beliefs. One might complain that such establishments substitute dogma for reason and truth. But in exchange, they spare whole populations from wasting time in fruitless reason loops. Minds can lead more productive lives when working on problems that can be solved." Of course, they have the likes of Monica Lewinski, listed as "ambiguous," and Matt (the Simpsons) Groening listed as agnostic, for more fun :-) http://www.celebatheists.com/ Cut 'n Paste. I'm not gonna have anyone saying they clicked by accident and were traumatized by thinking. :-)

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken