Brian

Your article was interesting.

However while the belief of many pioneers of modern science that the universe would be lawful (because, as Christians, they believed thatit had been created by a lawful God) was a significant factor in the emergence of successful science, the technological application of such knowledge depended on the liberty that was possible as a by-product of widespread Christian adherence and the separation of church and state (see 'Christian Foundations of Liberal Western Institutions')
http://cpds.apana.org.au/Teams/Articles/EvangelicalAtheism.htm#Foundations

John Craig

...To the post-modern moral reconstructionists above. We await the alternative to the moral code of Christian ethics, so roundly condemned and deconstructed by atheists since the 60’s; replaced by a hegemony of social liberations, culminating in the gay-abandon of homosexuals and feminist extremes.

Hi Dan: here's my alternative --

I. Do what you want as long as it won't hurt somebody else.

II. If it might hurt someone else then think about it rationally and weigh the consequences.

That should do us till the 23rd Century or thereabouts. And look -- I've got rid of eight commandments!

Jon J,
Not an original idea JJ; it is similiar to ideas contained in Hebrew thought and Christian teachings from two millenium BC.
You said "Do what you want as long as it won't hurt somebody else". This by itself is self centered and obsession with onself does affect relationships.
The scripture places importance on love and care of others as fulfilling all aspects of human social interaction [the Law]. Love and the value of the pure and sacred things applied to all human actions is the "Golden Rule".

Though I dislike the bloody history of Henry the Eight his rebellion against the Pope and the Catholic Church initiated freedom of personal belief for a whole Nation; and it happened to be English. Prior to this good Christians were executed as heriticts for opposing the Roman Church.

The development of the freedom of the people to read the Biblical text had nothing to do with Constantine, in fact it was the opposite. Whycliffe an Oxford scholar in 1380's gave us the first hand written English Bible and later in 1611 King James authorised a text that in its time best represented the Hebrew and Greek text into English. It was this new freedom to read and live by the book rather than the religious control of the Roman Church that at that time opened the mind to new and free thinking of ideas.

Words fail me.

Christianity suppresses knowledge and once killed those with an evidence based view of the world.

We're a good 1500 years behind technologically, thanks to Rome and the desecration of humanity.

Imagine the wealth of philosophy and human tolerance if not for the bible.

There'd be no Islamic extremists - as Mohammad formulated his scam using Christian figures and his legitimacy (flying to Jerusalem with Gabriel) was finalised by a Christian Bishop.

Then there's Hell. A Christian concept. Without the threat of damnation martyrs would not be killing themselves to ensure salvation.

What a horrid, appalling book still dividing people and cultures today.

what is clear is the totally dysfunctional society that results from those who have rejected God's Word. All societies that adhered to biblical principles prospered, were largely functional and were clearly blessed. Since secular 'bibles'took over we have lawless societies where kids are sexualised, violence is a regular event, pornography invades most households, vows mean zit, suicide among the young is common and we are more self righteous than ever before.