I agree. Nothing worse than an echo chamber - might as well stand in front of the mirror and have a conversation with oneself.
"But when accusation and condemnation starts, I'm done."
Indeed yes. I get that it is a very natural thing to defend oneself and one's territory so to speak, but personal attacks are not a defense. You can't reason with such people. But I repeat myself.
"Belief may FEEL like truth to a believer. They might defend their belief like it is truth. That's fine."
Again agree. I have no doubt that to the individual(s), their beliefs have been proven. But that is a very subjective thing. In the grand scheme of things, their beliefs are still beliefs. No matter who we are, we all hold beliefs in varying degrees. I can't imagine anyone going through life with absolutely no beliefs whatsoever. Beliefs differ - so what? But I know you get where I am coming from.
"Leave it there. Let it be."
Ah the wisdom of Mrs. Mary McCartney. Thank you Paul for writing that song. One of my favorite McCartney songs.
"You express your views and beliefs, but make no effort to convince anyone else or proselytize. I try to do the same. "
I thank you for that and I think you do well in your efforts here too. If someone doesn't agree, or it doesn't as you say 'work for them', that's fine too. I've never understood why it must deteriorate to personal attacks and judgments. It really is a shame that there are some who can't be happy for you (and others of a different mind), that you found something that works for you. Some people never find answers that works for them.
If there is a God, and he granted us a reasoning brain and the freedom to choose, it follows that no one is at fault for exercising their 'God given right'. The idea that every human being that ever existed, does exist, or will exist will come to the same conclusion about deity and the beliefs that follow just isn't rational. We are different - from our DNA, culture/heritage, to our experiences, education, families, circle of friends . . . And if there is a God as described by some here, he allowed us to be different. Perhaps he enjoys the differences as well.
I do think that diversity makes for a more interesting world, and a better one if one accepts that no matter how right one may think oneself, the possibility exists that one can be wrong. But that is not the world we live in. So sadly, fair minded folks like you who are of a different belief than traditional or mainstream beliefs (or however you identify them) are often done an injustice simply because of those different beliefs.