Dear Jay,

For many years, it was widely felt that as science
progressively provided rational explanations
for the mysteries of the universe, religion
would have less and less of a role to play and would
eventually disappear, unmasked as nothing more than
superstition. But there are still gaps in our
understanding that science can never fill. On the
ultimate questions - of the meaning and purpose of
life and the nature of morality - science is silent
and, by its very natire, always will be.

Few citizens of modern societies would utterly deny
the possibility of some higher power in the universe,
some supernatural, transcendental realm that lies
beyond the boundaries of ordinary experience, and in
this fundamental sense religion is probably here to
stay.

Few citizens of modern societies would utterly deny
the possibility of some higher power in the universe,
Lexi,
I fully agree with you on that one. As long as we don't really know what's going on we have
to give every opinion the benefit of doubt.
Where the problem arises is the interference of religion hijacking faith. The Bible bashers & other fanatics demanding that their superstition be accepted as Gospel whilst others of a more sober mind aren't afforded the right believing in their superstition. There is no difference between Faith & Superstition in the absence of irrefutable proof.

As an atheist I feel like I have just been mauled by lions in another attack on atheists.

Humans by nature are mostly good. Without that foundation there is no basis for an ethical framework religious or otherwise.

There are many atheists and Christians who quietly go about working for their communities. It is not a competition but a shared human goal that can be achieved without the threat of Godly vengeance.

One of the problems I personally have with religion is the negativity about sin and punishment and efforts put into worship are not always translated into compassion or charity, but into obedience. In the Third World efforts of conversion and disrespect for local culture sometimes overshadow the good.

And forgive me but this paragraph is just verging on silly.

"When Nero wanted a scapegoat for the fires of Rome, he covered Christians in the skins of wild beasts, set the dogs on them then opened his gardens for the people to watch. ...there will be angry lions salivating at the prospect of tearing apart religion yet again at the upcoming Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne."

It could easily be re-written along the following lines:

When the Church wanted to make an example of the non-believer or those with enquiring free minds - there were the Inquisitions and the 'witch' burnings. No doubt there will be angry lions salivating at the prospect of tearing apart atheists yet again in the backdrop of the Atheist Convention in Melbourne.

Yes that would be silly too. But aren't we all getting a bit tired of this tit for tat, my belief is better than your belief. Yes atheists have beliefs and values too, many shared by Christians. Read Alain de Botton's 'Religion for Atheists' - a much more considered approach.

A great quote by Richard Rayner about the book:

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/08/entertainment/la-ca-richard-rayner-20120408

"He removes the terrors and wonders of God from the equation (the parts many of us cling to, actually) and examines what might be plucked from the smorgasbord of Christianity, Judaism and Zen in order to fulfill our "soul-related needs."

>>I'll be there. A Christian, I've paid my $270 to sit among the lions.<<

At $270 a ticket? Are you crazy? Who pays $270 to go to some boring talk-fest? Don't these atheists have better things to do with their money? David: don't you have some needy to help? I hear $270 goes a long way in Africa. Jesus would be disappointed.

Cheers,

Tony

"Few citizens of modern societies would utterly deny
the possibility of some higher power in the universe,
some supernatural, transcendental realm that lies
beyond the boundaries of ordinary experience, and in
this fundamental sense religion is probably here to
stay."

Lexi, I don't 'deny the possibility', just as I don't 'deny the possibility. What I DO deny is that there is any evidence for it, and hence any reason to consider for a microsecond that it might actually be true.

If this is all it requires to satisfy your 'fundamental sense' of religion, then you have set the bar pretty low.

Lost something in translation there... here's what I meant to say:

"Few citizens of modern societies would utterly deny
the possibility of some higher power in the universe,
some supernatural, transcendental realm that lies
beyond the boundaries of ordinary experience, and in
this fundamental sense religion is probably here to
stay."

Lexi, I don't 'deny the possibility', just as I don't 'deny the possibility' that invisible pink unicorns are responsible for ingrown toenails. What I DO deny is that there is any evidence for it, and hence any reason to consider for a microsecond that it might actually be true.

If this is all it requires to satisfy your 'fundamental sense' of religion, then you have set the bar pretty low.