why do they say "The Eight"?
That makes it obvious they don't.

Nine.

Because its better to say 'the Eight' than to have your head cut off and not be able to say anything.

This is a horrible strawman argument. They support Talos, but they think his banning is worth it as a temporary solution while they rebuild to fight the Dominion.

Because they are intelligent enough to not throw up the Talos sign where the Thalmor can see it?

Yes, because when you're on the forums, someone will chop your head off >.>

Also, even in game when there are no Thalmor around, a lot of them say "The Eight."

If you were living in nazi germany, were german, yet not a nazi, and not saying Heil hitler meant a machine gun to your head or worse. What would you do? Or, if you were a patrician , under the rule of Julius Caesar, would you have openly berated him, even though you were also secretly working towards his demise? It is only in films, books and games and such where issues are black and white. While i lament the issues behind the implementation of the WGC are not really explored in game, it is a small sign that these small nuances of political intrigue break the surface now and then.

I can do the same thing for the Stormcloaks watch.

If the Stormcloaks support Talos why do they make themselves and others targets for the Thalmor rather then worshiping in secret as its been demonstrated the Thalmor can't enter private homes without cause.

On the forum? I've yet to meet anyone apart from Thalmor supporters who say "8" unless they are speaking of the pre-Talos days. Seriously...how unreasonable are you Stormcloaks? It's like each day you get worse, I wear Talos on my tag ffs.

Not all members of the Aldmeri Dominion wear Thalmor robes or armour. It goes without saying that they have quite a network of series and assassins. And besides, it's not only the Thalmor who enforce the ban. The Empire also has to enforce the ban, even if they turn a blind eye from time to time. It's far safer to worship in private, as we know many do.

And let's not forget once upon a time the Nords gave praise to 'the Eight' as well. No Talos included. The horror of it all!

Yeah, I am no more fond of that one. And I've seen people use it as an actual argument

He wasn't a god then >.>

Ahh, but see, the dragon break at the end of Daggerfall made it not only so Talos was a divine, but always was.

Heretic Nords!

Wouldn't he still be part of the Eight anyway? Since the Eight can be applied to the Nordic pantheon, Shor is Lorkhan, and Tiber Septim mantled Lorkhan, wouldn't Talos be Shor, and thus part of the Eight?

Listen to some imperial soldiers as you escape helgen

A coupe of them mention Talos, something in the line of "Talos mercy, nothing kills that thing" as Alduin keeps flying above.

Something like that, can not recall the exact quote.