Well, since I share your experience of not being able to choose my sexual orientation, I won't speak for those who claim that they have indeed chosen their sexualities. I'll wait for them speak up for themselves. But, even if they have made such a proactive choice...they shouldn't expect everyone else to necessarily have that same capability. The two of us (along with millions of others) are living proof of that.

You are absolutely right that many people are indoctrinated and influenced into subscribing to specific religious tenets. I'm not referring to them. Rather, I'm talking about those of us who have thoughtfully weighed all of the possibilities, and we realize that one of the possibilities simply makes the most sense to us.

Of course, that doesn't give any of us the right to pass theocratic laws or attempt to coerce/bully others into believing in the same religious/irreligious tenets as we do. But neither does it change the sincerity or authenticity of our religious belief (or lack thereof), itself. And yes, just as you've pointed out -- some people do evolve from one (ir)religious belief system to another, during their lives. That's up to the individual to speak out about how/why that evolution occurred for them, if they so choose to share those reflections. Were they really "closeted" with a certain worldview while pretending to subscribe to a religious sect for their own safety or mental health? Did they legitimately shift perspective at some point(s) during their lives -- as you've previously cited how people have -- from one religious stance to another? Were they confused or undecided in terms of what they believed, and new beliefs gradually formed? I don't think it's fair for us to assign a one-size-fits-all formula to the religious/irreligious dimensions within the lives of complete strangers.