In the most recent session of the atheist discussion group I attend once a month, we took time to share with the group what we believe and how we have come to believe it.  Although I already knew what most people believed, what I found disheartening was the extent to which almost everyone reported that they had come to atheism as a result of unpleasant experiences with organized religion.  In almost every instance, it was the dogmatism of a particular religious (always Christian) tradition, a dogmatism not so much in doctrine but in practice, that caused irreparable harm to their latent spiritual sensibilities.  For one reason or another, these various traditions had treated these people in ways that, to them, showed little or no sensitivity to their particular life circumstances.  And some of these circumstances were the result of events beyond their control or changes in their lives which they did not ask or invite.  Instead of feeling loved by those in these traditions, my atheist friends felt wounded and rejected.  The one institution that one might think would unreservedly care about people appeared to do the opposite.
     This is tragic.  Not only it is tragic because my friends decided that God is of no value to them.  It is tragic because the institution that is supposed to explain the heart of God to the world behaved as though this heart didn't exist.  The community of belief acted as if its belief was more important than how its people acted it out.  In their zeal to keep the law, they overlooked the heart.  So did Jesus say about the Pharisees centuries ago.  When people sinned, what did Jesus do?  He accepted them as they were, then told them to walk a new way.  He loved them first.  And they believed in him.
     So should today's believers do the same.  After all, who really wants someone to reject God because he or she does not feel he loves them?