Religions have been around since thousands of years. For the better or for the worse.

One can notice a tendency from religious people to shy away from the people they think do not share their religious views. Non-religious people also have the tendency to avoid religious folks because they think they're either talking nonsense or are not prepared to 'evangelize'.

Do you think that the idea of religion produces more fear now than anything else?

 before i  answer your question What do you call religious and non-religious people?

If you simply believe in God, that doesn't make you a religious person

If you believe in God, adhere to some religious teachings (Christianism, Islam, Buddhism, etc ...) ONLY to help you understand better the way to God, you are a religious person but not in the pejorative context we're using the term here.

But if you believe in God, adhere to some religious teachings (Christianism, Islam, Buddhism, etc ...) and negate any other teachings as heresy, willing to kill or to divide just not to mix with the 'infidels', you are being a religious person (in the pejorative sense). YOU ARE A DANGEROUS SOUL!

So tijou, was I helpful?

Please elaborate on what kind of fear you are talking about.  I do not want to misinterpret your question.

   I think that one reason why religious people "shy away,"  when it comes to other religions is because groups usually "stick together."  One may feel that this person has another view, therefore they wouldn't understand where they're coming from.   Also, one may think that they don't have much in common with a person of different beliefs.   

   I feel that non-religious people, think the way they do, because they are not ready to "come into the light."  Another reason why non-religious folks may think that religion is nonsense, is because they were not brought up in a religious background.  And if they were, they were not properly educated about their religion.  Also, one might feel that religion is nonsense because they are confused of the many religions out there.

Tibob, yes you were helpful, but you don't have to belong to a certain group to call yourself religious.  I could go worship God anywhere i want to.

  Stephanie, i have to disagree with you,  a non religious person do have a religious background, they might decide not to follow any religion, but it doesn't mean they don't have a religion. 

I believe a non-religious person try to avoid a religious person because most religious person tell you if you're not part of their religion  you will not go to heaven.  Some of them act like they are God.  As soon as you visit their church they ask you to join so you could be saved.  I think that 's why the non-religious people stay away from the religious ones.

   The bible tell us we are all children of God, it never say that you have to belong to a certain group to call yourself religious.  

I grew up Catholic, but i visit, study with a lot of other groups, Jehova Witness, Mormon, pentecostal name it.  It doesn't matter to me. 

Tijou, my second paragraph above states:

"If you believe in God, adhere to some religious teachings (Christianism, Islam, Buddhism, etc ...) ONLY to help you understand better the way to God, you are a religious person but not in the pejorative context we're using the term here."

You may ahere to different religious teachings without BELONGING to them. We do have people who GO TO different groups because they don't have a problem with their doctrines or they adhere to their teachings. They're doing it only to better understand the way of God. And I did say above, you are a religious person if you fall in this category.

Tijou, on your very interesting comment above, why do you think it's wrong for a religious person to ask a friend who is just visiting his/her church to accept Jesus?

And everybody is welcome for input.

I never said it was wrong, i believe the person already accept Jesus by accepting your invitation; Now you have to study with this person to better understand the doctrine and he/she fully understand will become a member of the congregation and eventually baptise.

People shouldn't be force to become a member of that congregation right away without understanding what they getting into. 

Tijou, I did not say that non-religious people do not have a religious background, I said that it is one of the reasons why some may not accept God.  The term "come into the light," refers to everyone.  When someone follows a religion, they know that there are going to be things that they have to sacrifice, and rules to follow. 

I believe that as a christian, one's main purpose is to have a personal relationship with God and focus on having eternal life.  Heaven is real and near, we do not know when Jesus is coming back, therefore as christians, we need to send that message across.  Many people think that everyone is going to heaven.  If you do not accept God in your life, you will not see eternal life.  As dissaproving this may sound, that's the way it is. 

To be brief, I believe in the bible and I believe in God.  I try not to focus on religion too much.  There is nothing wrong with religion, as long as you follow God's word, and not focus on traditions.  I think traditions hold a big part on religion.  Also when you give your life to christ, he will open your eyes and reveal himself to you.  Although, you have to be patient, and really want to seek him.