You have a way with words, EH, and thank you for these thoughts.

Asminov, I think your point is well taken, and I understand that those who don't prescribe to a religious belief may be very sensitive to the pressure of others to do so. Because my views are different from those of the rest of my family (not to mention the whole area I live in), I know what it's like to be judged on these matters. There is a time when we all have to see ourselves stepping out of the crowd, and perhaps this person was doing that for the first time in their life. In that case, it may have been an important moment and I don't think anyone can judge that person. At the same time, for some (and even for that same individual in a different circumstance), it might be an expression of love to want to participate.

I think we all have experienced some kind of prejudice in our lives, and it takes some doing to work through it. In the end, we probably all just want to be heard and understood.

Like I said, it's not necessarily what I would do but I support the decision of someone to do that.