Faith or non-faith?

As so often happens a comment thread has gone rogue. In this case for a blog entry on the Shuttle that has nothing to do with religion has turned religious. I'm trying to present the argument that religion is an emotional-based decision and that atheism is a reason-based decision; which is why they conflict so badly. To that end allow me to tell you a story.

Once upon a time there was a small country isolated from all its fellows by the deep blue ocean. And on this island lived people and for reasons lost in the mists of time each person would travel about the island with a crutch firmly placed under an arm. Children would be taught how to use their crutch in schools and it was the happiest day of their lives when presented with one for their very own and became an adult.

Oh fads would come and go; some would pad their crutches and be considered soft and weak by those who stuck to the traditional hard wood; some would use two and be considered pretentious by all those around them; and some would paint and decorate them in ways that would make the older generation mutter.

Time passed and a new sight was seen on the horizon - a ship crewed by strangers. As they stepped upon the shore the inhabitants gasped for they walked unaided. Mothers covered the eyes of their children and pulled them back so as not to see the shame. The newcomers had come to trade but how should they be dealt with?

The different factions raged. Some declared the newcomers immoral and that none should deal with them, others that they were misguided and should be shown how to use a crutch. Groups formed that decried the newcomers would corrupt the youth, others formed charities to provide crutches to them.

The newcomers were puzzled by these actions and asked why everyone did this, but received only gaping mouths and blank faces - this was the way it has always been there was no other way.

Time passed and the newcomers traded with the island, but some grew weary of being cursed in the streets of being harangued or having a crutch presented to them everywhere they went. Some of these tried to teach the children that these things were not needed, but this only fuelled the fire of those who claimed they were corrupters. Some tried more drastic action and would kick away the crutches to show they were not needed and that it was possible to stand and move unaided - this failed as the inhabitants had grown dependent upon them and this too fueled the fire of those who saw their way to be the right and only way.

So where does this story end? It doesn't, but continues with the question "Which side is correct?"