Note I have provided reference that linked religions with anxieties re the existential threat.
The point is all theists exist along a continuum of theism in terms of their various sensitivity to the existential threat and other variables.
Note this and point 5;
The existential crisis generate terrible psychological trembling and terrors within at the subconscious level and effect the self subliminally -90% rather than consciously -10%.
Religions and theism provide the crutch [instantly] to soothe the terrible psychological trembling and terrors within the psyche.
This is why any sign [explicit or implicit, conscious or subliminal] will trigger a sense of threat [mentally painful] to the theists psychological security [at the primal level] and most will instantly react in various degrees depending on the psychological state of the theists; i.e.
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A theistic group when perceived [generally a misperception] a threat to their security [psycho-religio] they will immediately counter attack and at the worst it is genocides where their religion give sanction to kill non-believers, e.g. as in the so-claimed “The Religion of Peace.”
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Even the slightest as drawing the cartoons of their founder will trigger terrible evils an violence. This is so evident.
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Even worst, non-believers are killed merely because their existence itself is perceived as a threat to the psychological security of the theists. Thus the coinage of the derogatory term ‘atheist’ in the 16th century.
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The stake of the theistic psychological stake is so primal, strong and high that its needs will override all other faculties, e.g. intellect, reason, rationality, wisdom, compassion, etc. Note the case of Abraham instant willingness to kill his own son for God’s sake; since God is illusory, actually that is only for his own selfish psychological sake to stabilize his internal psychological security.
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In more subtle cases where theists are not members of a religion, they will still lash out at those who critique theism as criticisms are perceived instinctively and subconsciously as a threat to their psychological security. This is so evident in forums, discussion and debates.
I would not agree the above is mere opinions.
It is a personal belief with conviction but I agree it is not ‘yet’ objective knowledge since I have not provided full evidences and other references to justify my points [yet].