Probably for the same reason a woman would be upset if someone said "excuse me Mister"; or, the way someone would be offended if they asked you to call them "Jennifer" and instead you consistently call them "Samantha".
They choose to represent themselves to us in a particular way, so why...
Well, my Gods actually do have gender, or at least they choose to appear to have gender, and I feel it would be very disrespectful to them to not address them that way.
When my kids are ready to make that choice, it's theirs to make. However, I don't think any religious group ought to be taking advantage of a captive audience of impressionable children. I feel the same way about political literature, but notice you don't see political parties trying to convert...
My wallet, some gum, sour candies, camera, planner, my wench pin, some asprin, cell phone, a pedometer, a folded up totebag for when I go for the grocery store, a wax tart (to make it smell nice), my makeup bag, perfume, car keys, pencil case with pens, and my ipod.
Seems to me we have our own problem like this in the US with the Born Again Christians.
So, I suppose Islam and Christianity have something in common - they both have obnoxious political and religious extremists who make everyone else in the religion look bad. :)
Someone ought to get on...
We're technically not talking about the US, as this was something that happened in the UK. So a discussion of US laws and policies is moot, and off the topic, as is your distaste for atheists.
What secret messages, exactly? Can you give some examples and perhaps reference some clinical studies?
And, are you trying to say that emotions are bad for Christians?
I can tell you exactly why: some people see demons under every rock and in every nook and cranny. And, some Christians feel they need to frighten people and exert control over them instead of letting them make their own decisions. :rolleyes: