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Well, freedom of speech protects me from being prosecuted by the federal government. It does not however, keep me from being kicked out of the guild for breaking their babying "dont bash religion" rule. Anything I say is often viewed as bashing religion. Maybe it is, but I would argue that its fine, since we seem to be allowed to bash murderers and the like. But now I am treading dangerous water, and I know what I will say will get me in trouble. It usually does and I end up being villianized for being the victim fighting back.

Well here's the thing.
Murdering someone is a breech of social contract. They've essentially ostracized themselves from society through their actions, and thus we don't really give a s**t what people think of them.

Being religious is not a breech of social contract. For the most part, a person's private religious beliefs don't harm other people - my belief in one God who created the universe etc. doesn't do jack s**t to you. By saying negative things about my practice, you're invalidating my experience. Who the hell do you think you are to say the way I'm living my life is wrong?

You're not the victim fighting back. Me being a Reform Jew hasn't done jack s**t to you. By attacking my belief in God, you're essentially making personal attacks against me, when the only thing I've done is try to personally reach a higher spiritual state.

Also, free speech protects a lot more than being prosecuted by the Federal Government. The important thing is that while you are free to say what you want, you are not free to say what you want without social consequences. If you want to post about how much you hate God, Jesus, Mohammed and on down the line, you're free to do so. But there are consequences, and typically it isn't worth it.

Tldr: Don't be an ignorant d**k, religious people being religious aren't harming you, its religious people taking it upon themselves to make their religion public issue that are the problem.

Do take into consideration though, as I was told, that (supposing there is a god) we do not understand God's ways and simply can't comprehend his methods or reasoning because our knowledge is so limited and none of us could possibly know everything there is to know. aka deaths, tragedy, wars etc. may seem cruel to us but might serve some unknown purpose or outcome. Like the saying, "there's a method to my madness"

just an Idea I found interesting, don't have to believe it of course.

You said "By saying negative things about my practice, you're invalidating my experience. Who the hell do you think you are to say the way I'm living my life is wrong?"

Think about that comment in relation to religion and homosexuallity and you will hopefulyl understand where I am coming from. If not, then there is no point talking to you.

The problem is that you're saying all religion is bad, which is a HUGE sweeping generalization. Your rationale? All religion is opposed to gay people.

Well, you're telling me that my religion, Reform Judaism, which has wed same-sex couples and ordained queer clergy for decades, is bad because we're against homosexuality?

I'm not saying other people should project their personal life onto yours, in fact, I'm saying exactly the opposite. I'm pointing out that by saying all religion is bad, you're doing something worse than saying homosexuality is bad because you alienate your allies.

You're not the damn victim. Every religious person on earth is not burning you at the stake for homosexuality, so why are you throwing the religious baby out with the bathwater?

I'd love to hear your reasons. PM me with them.