As religious faith has declined, ideological intensity has risen
&gt; Few people understand that most religions e.g. Judaism and Christianity have an apologetic discipline – a deliberate arm open to debate.<p>The range of permissible debate is quite narrow in reality, and usually start from an assumption that the core tenets are more or less true.<p>&gt; If you believe you are not religious, it just means that you don’t have the cognitive tools to recognize the secular ideology that you have adopted.<p>You&#x27;re basically defining all belief as religious belief. You&#x27;re welcome to it, but it&#x27;s not particularly useful or constructive. And suggesting those that don&#x27;t have the belief haven&#x27;t actually thought about it, or lack the tools to do so, is a bit antagonistic, really.