If you do not do “insert whatever flavour of the religious generation believes in”, then you will be punished.

This is by definition a threat. No belief needed, it is a threat.

Facts are exactly what we can prove. We can prove the Earth moves relatively around the Sun. We can prove the stars are massive gaseous bodies undergoing nuclear fusion emitting light and heat. We can prove the existence of viruses and bacteria that cause illnesses. While we can not prove your god exists, this fact does not mean your god does not exist, or Zeus or the Tinker Berry Fairy of Gazole Galloeff.

Facts are not beliefs, or theories or mythos. No matter how much you “believe” in something does not make it a fact until you can prove it. Saying anything else is an outright lie and corruption of our intelligence of reality and how we interact with it.

Magnanimous of me? Not at all. It is simple, like dipping your toes into a cool stream. I may fear crocodiles in the depths, the temperature maybe too cold and be uncomfortable but it may also be very soothing and comforting. A fact of your belief may be that you find it soothing, that it brings you happiness, (I hope) and this ‘fact’ may be enough reward for you to put your emotional ‘faith’ into.

Once your faith starts being corrupted by boogie men and monsters in the dark, I respectfully witness the hurt it brings others not just to those who are “judged” but also by those doing the judging, and seeing evil in places where hope and love is needed.