> Second, atheists went to Church? Well was that because if they didn't, they were ostracized -- and, well, lonely? American distrust for religion began in the

> Second, atheists went to Church? Well was that because if they didn't, they were ostracized -- and, well, lonely? American distrust for religion began in the sixties and seventies. Before, it was a normal and accepted part of life. People wanted to go to church. Even if you didn't believe in it you still wanted to go. It's hard to believe but that's how all of the world's societies were up until very recently. Religion aided life, not hindered it. The Enlightenment was a comparatively small movement that really only took root in the intelligentsia. You would have had to pry religion out of the cold dead fingers of the common folks. Now, even religious folks often stay home on Sunday.