No one receives a "reward" for every situation they pray for and about. I don't know where that comes from nor why you would think that.
You brought it up with your bible verse- "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." . Perhaps I just misread what you meant.
You bring up Mario and The Matrix, however, those 2 aren't up for debate on being "God" and being worshiped, and have no comparison with God. Neither do Santa Claus and The Easter Bunny, etc.
Sure they do. They're all fictional. The Matrix even has some religious elements and god-like characters in it. When you can draw simple parallels from these things, they are alike.
Some children are encouraged to believe in them as children, and when older, are either told the truth or they figure it out. It's sort of like a "magical" part of childhood, including fun and excitement of certain holidays.
You don't find it peculiar at all that parents dont do this with religious tales? "Santa Clause going around the world in 1 night? Ha! Proposterous! My god flooding the entire world? A talking serpent? Totally legit."
On the other hand, God is who is up for the debate with being real or not. I've already mentioned there are reasons, testimonies, situations that happened, God's Word, historical situations, and more, that prove to some people that God is real and so they place their faith in Him.
But I've proven before that these are either flat-out false, inconclusive, anecdotal, cherry-picked, romanticized, or lies. Personally I don't care, but when people push them as truths and suddenly they're teaching creationism in science classes, the line has been breached.
but they shouldn't be intimidated or belittled for believing something they know or perceive to be the truth for them.
Except when they force it upon a free society as Sigimap has pointed out. Let's not forget (historically) the blood spilled in the name of your god either.
Some disbelievers tend to get over-zealous, as well, and attempt to coerce believers to give up believing in God, or some try to make believers appear schizo, delusional, or otherwise, for believing in God. Yet, the Constitution protects both sides, and some people on both sides tend to forget this when coming down on others for their personal choice.
The fact is that it
is delusional and sometime schizophrenic behavior. Heck, we've had schizo's on this forum before who believed in god and heard voices! This is a friendly debate. I'm not trying to take down the first amendment or anything-- that's ridiculous.
Why the big concern for others if they believe there is heaven or hell after death?
It's not a major concern. Ancient afterlife concepts are silly though. If it comforts them on their deathbed, I'm sure nobody has any issues with it. Besides, everyone goes to heaven besides those rotten serial killers. Or maybe it was those people who didn't accept Jesus? Or perhaps they needed to take more action with their beliefs to get to heaven? Etc. etc. etc.
then who is anyone else to try and tell them otherwise that there is nothing after death?
Who's saying that? Nobody knows what happens. Anyone who claims to know is ridiculously arrogant.
Believers shouldn't have to cower in fear and intimidation from others who don't agree with their choice of worshiping God. And likewise, others who deny God exists, shouldn't have to cower because believers don't agree with their choice.
Correct, though it's unfortunate your beliefs have claimed so many lives and chained so many people for just those reasons.
In today's society, more people, on both sides of the issue, are tending to mind other peoples' business when it comes to an individual's personal choice of believing or disbelieving.
Yes, though I find it interesting that religion is slowly disappearing in 1st-world countries while this concept you speak of has been promoted in all of them.