@mralstoner: "Hume is correct: our emotions do drive us and reason is their "slave" as he says. Atheists would do well to learn this."

Since Hume was an early atheist and is still venerated by the atheist movement, it's redundant to suggest that we should 'learn' one of his discoveries.

In any case, isn't it the theists who spend their time twisting the real world out of shape to manufacture some 'objective' basis for their desires? All the atheists I know just get on with deciding what they think is best and then doing it.

John J writes

'A world in which four-year-olds no longer carry banners demanding that people be beheaded seems to me a goal worth fighting for, '

Many from the secularist parents would be murdered before they get to 4 years old. Something conveniently forgotton or explained away by pseudo science. No true rational. Thankfully Christ taught us to value life.

But those that DO get to be four years old, Runner -- would you encourage them to carry banners calling for the execution of those who oppose their religion? Let's get your response on record.

I'm sorry Brian, but if God is everything he's cracked up to be in the brochures then Christian faith leads inescapably to religious determinism… So any yearnings about the messiness of life are a waste of time.

Your claim that "What seems to be missing from the atheist accounts of the human condition is an acknowledgement of our vulnerability and frailty, along with our sense of wonder and awe." doesn't accord with the accounts of any atheists – or indeed of any atheists of account – in my experience.

That experience being an honest acknowledgement of our vulnerability and frailty, along with our sense of wonder and awe.

For a mind funking perspective of the scale of individual ego, 'Star Size Comparison' is 2:30 minutes well spent…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEheh1BH34Q

>>For a mind funking perspective of the scale of individual ego, 'Star Size Comparison' is 2:30 minutes well spent…<<

Well I'm convinced. You can have my liver.

But I still think Douglas Adams put it best:

>>Space is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly hugely mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist, but that's just peanuts to space.<<

Cheers,

Tony

Diver Dan come out from the closet it will do you good and you'll find peace.