A quote I’ve used for years. Origin uncertain, probably internet.
Religion is like a penis.
It’s nice to have one, and fine to be proud of it. Don’t whip it out in public or shove it down someone else’s throat.
I’ve found this formulation useful in conversations that are going in a direction I’m not interested in. It’s hard to argue with, and it redirects the energy without requiring me to have a longer discussion about metaphysics or comparative theology.
I’m not particularly interested in what other people believe. I am interested in how people treat each other. These are related topics but not the same topic, and conflating them is usually where the trouble starts.
The secondary observation: speaking to God is not insane. When God speaks back to you, that’s where I start having questions.