what word should i use to express my belief that god is a figment of human imagination? i do not think delusion has an extremely negative connotation. if i had said people who believe in god are crackpots or idiots something like that (which btw, i DO NOT believe), i could understand the offense, however delusion is defined as: a false belief or opinion.
it has nothing to do with facts. i would not for a second claim that i have proof that god doesn't exist, and anyone who knows me knows that i certainly do not believe otherwise. my faith is as deep as yours, we just have faith in different things. i believe that god is false, therefore people who believe that god is true are, in my opinion, deluded.
we are all deluded about something. some people are deluded that the one they love loves them back. others are deluded that their kid is not having sex/doing drugs/etc. i am probably deluded in believing that i will get into some of the schools i am currently applying to.
i have a feeling that for most people, expression of my belief in god would be offensive no matter how carefully i phrased it.
the reverse is also true, which is why i no longer get upset when christians tell me i will be damned if i do not believe jesus dies for my sins. it is merely what they believe. it's not something to be offended by or upset about unless they say something like: "caitycaity is so stupid and i'm not listening to her anymore because she is a heathen." or something like that. an expression of belief on the face of it is not offensive. it's the intent behind it that makes the difference. i would assume most people who know me around here know that my intent is not offense.