Great read, Chrys. Nice to know there's a voice out there who can politely express my offence at the intolerant who vilify my profound acceptance of reason and evidence while simultaneously bleating the injustice of their own superstition and bigotry losing the privileged position it never deserved in a secular country.

Rabble rousers of reason unite!

Ozandy

Your ignorant rant says a lot of hot air. The discovery of vaccines and other advancements have absolutely nothing to do with the farcical belief that we evolved from apes and you know it. The only ones deriding science as you put it are those who deliberately twist observations to fit their faith theory. Evolutionist are masters at that.

You may sprout your hatred despite the fact that many medical breakthroughs have been made by humble men who rely on God. In fact many doctors today treat patients knowing their limitations. Most of the early hospitals were built by Christians despite your distorted view of history. No doubt you don't want to hear a list of scientific discoveries by believers.

You write
'but remember when you go to a hospital, the science that may keep you alive'

Yes true science might well increase my life span but what has that got to do with the farcical belief in evolution. Man has absolutely no knowledge without God and twisted knowledge when not retaining a knowledge of him. Just look at the ridiculous 'science' used to justify man made gw. I will thank God for any knowledge He has revealed to man in order to bring healing to my body.

I suggest it will be you calling on God's mercy rather that me 'sucking on the teat of modern engineering ' when the time comes.

You might have to deny creation every time you look at a forrest or the sea of the landscape but your mocking of those who don't certainly does not enhance your 'science' qualifications. In fact they make you look pretty silly.

Pretty silly, you accept vaccinations but don't understand why you need a flu shot every season.

Its not to late for an education runner

I wholly support "rabble rousers or reason" against the "believers in stupid things". You'll find believers and non-believers in both camps. But let’s not pretend that because most of those who attended the conference were atheists that it is mainly atheists who are on the side of reason. What Chrys's article failed to highlight were issues that were ignored, and even made light of, along with the capacity of non-believers to be believers of stupid things.

Non-believers are at their best when it comes to finding flaws in claims advanced by some religions, charlatans and frauds. However, they are flawed in blindly extrapolating experiences in one religion, namely Christianity, to all religions. My religion is Islam and non-believers believe some very stupid things about my religion, in total disregard for the evidence, simply because it is convenient to do so.

Many, but not all, non-believers have serious blind spots when it comes to dealing with serious social issues such as alcohol and sexual violence and its impact on society as well as individuals. As with many non-believers, Chrys's article makes light of these issues:

<<As far as I know, the weekend involved no binge drinking sessions, no orgies and no crime sprees - at least none to which I was invited! In fact, the organisers of two very well attended “fringe” events held in Sydney pubs lost their deposits because the sceptics simply didn’t drink enough alcohol!>>

What were the kids doing while their parents were away feeling good about themselves? The stats would suggest they were likely to be engaged in less wholesome activities.

So why do many non-believers fail to take these issues seriously? Perhaps because it would demand of parents behaviour that they are not ready to accept...even for the sake of their children. It’s easier to go chasing charlatans.

salaams

What were the kids doing while their parents were away feeling good about themselves? The stats would suggest they were likely to be engaged in less wholesome activities.

What stats? I do not think anyone needs to explain what their children are doing. It was an article on TAMOZ that is it, nothing more or less. Not writing about abuse or violence.

'but remember when you go to a hospital, the science that may keep you alive' Why write this? there is no need.

Considering my GP is a Christian, most people I work with are believers. I just happen to not be a believer. Science does not equal atheism or even being sceptical.