I just wonder, would this kind of shite be considered a form of religious oppression? I mean, Ireland is a democracy, I have the automatic right to believe what I want to believe, especially in terms of a god.
Yes, you are right.
I believe in God, and I am involved with religion. I try to worship the "ceiling" as much as I can.
But I also experienced the same thing when attending CCD classes, when I was 8 years old, from a Nun who wouldn't answer my legitimate questions. So I relate to you.
I just want to encourage you, to disregard peoples behavior, and separate them from who and what God actually is. The 2 don't really match. Especially when its so clear that their behavior is in no way a representation of who Jesus is. To be a Christian, is to be like Christ. Or at least try, and accept it when we can't.
I think if you forgive those people, you will be one more step closer to finding God. God forgives all of us, so try to look at them the way God does. Then your acting like a Christian, even if you don't believe, which I think is fine.