Great article from Brian Baker, whose book: From Faith to Reason, I have read and enjoyed. Let's face reality: all civilisations have invented their gods as attempts to explain everything that happens. Thus humans have invented notions of souls, prayer, an afterlife, and so on. Why? Because these irrational beliefs are comforting. Humans WANT it to be that way: forgiveness of so-called sins, etc. Only with the dawn of rational thinking and scientific testing has the God delusion been shattered. There are no gods, no afterlife, no answers to prayers. Religious beliefs are an escape from the realities of life. But worse than that, religious beliefs produce nasty effects: people kill each other in the name of their religion. Most religions treat women as second class citizens, and in some cases, as mere chattels (the property of men). They also just cannot accept the reality of homosexuality. They inevitably oppose pre-marital sex, voluntary euthanasia, abortion, same sex marriage, stem-cell research ... the list goes on. They spread hatred, indeed they even murder people, such as stoning women to death for committing adultery. Religion does three things very effectively: it divides people, it deludes people, and it controls people. Brian Baker's article and his book are to be applauded.

Jon J,

“It's not that bad. According to census figures there are about 1500 less religious believers in Australia than there were last week; and that has been going on for a decade.”

Losses to religion in Australia are on a steep increase. And this is demonstrated in the Census results even with a loaded question. The question is, “What is the person’s religion?”

The Atheist Foundation of Australia has just initiated a campaign suggesting that people answer truthfully and not with their religion of baptism if they are no longer religious. The problem is of course that the leading question on religion can elicit a false answer by respondents.

Then, we have children under the age of 14 years. They make up 20% of the population. Parents put them down as the religion they themselves follow. Children have no idea to what they are ascribing. Parents should really mark them as 'No religion' but considering that is unlikely to happen we will have to live with that stat and factor it in when necessary.

And of course, parents may fill in the Census for adolescents and young adults, who have the highest proportion of godlessness of all demographics.

It is well nigh the time that Australia has an accurate count on how many are and how many are not religious.

The AFA Census web site is not up and running yet but our Media Release concerning the campaign is here.

http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/media-releases/mark-no-religion-campaign-begins-2011-census

Brittain and Ireland are running similar campaigns for the same reasons.

David

There are not 1500 less religious believers in Australia than there were last week. There are 1500 fewer religious believers in Australia than there were last week. Fewer refers to number, and less refers to quantity. If you lose five pounds you weigh five less pounds. If you lose 1500 believers you have 1500 fewer believers, and I am glad of it.

Seeking to reduce 'prayer' to a formula which 'works' or does not is really missing the whole picture of the Sovereignty of God.

Let's remind ourselves that Paul.. used by God to do spectacular healings etc.. himself was denied a 'yes' answer to his request to remove whatever it was he described as a thorn in his side.

Folks.. don't look for forumula's..look for faithfulness in your own hearts.

I asked God to heal my cancer stricken mum once.. the answer (audible in my mind) was "Tonight you must lose a loved one"..and I did.

Make of that what you will... but probably best kept in your heart it- won't effect me.

I would be very hesitant to use national situations as evidence either for or against prayer's efficacy

Dear me , we are again afflicted.
There is another contributor has not been influenced by any of the great writings of intelligent men and women and the findings of science over nearly two millennia.

Get used to it runner and grateful, evolution is now as well proven as the theories of gravity or thermodynamics. Medical and disease research uses the certainties of evolution every day. That research is the reason our life expectancy in the last 100 years improved by about 25 years.

As for prayer, open your eyes and say your prayers in front of a mirror; it may then be obvious that you are talking to yourself.

I once saw a woman wearing a head scarf saying her prayers in a train. The contrast was amazing. When the prayers were finished she used her very technical, science based phone, to call a friend!

Foyle you write

'I once saw a woman wearing a head scarf saying her prayers in a train. The contrast was amazing. When the prayers were finished she used her very technical, science based phone, to call a friend!'

Of course she was not dumb enough to think that her phone came about by accident. Some clever designer actually had a part to play in the design and building of the phone. Don't let what is obvious be blinded by your chance god or pseudo science.