How come New Zealanders are always leaving Oz behind? That they are rejecting the nonsense called 'religion' shows they are evolving at a faster rate than we are.

I mean, how come in 2014, educated 'intelligent' humans are still believing this anachronistic, 'Pie In The Sky' nonsense.

Even my dog doesn't believe in God or a heaven where dogs have wings and fly about howling hymns. He's not that foolish.

Of course, I have spoken to him about it all and he listens intently only passing wind now and again. "Killer," I say. You better listen hard. I mean there might be 75 bitches waiting up there to pleasure you!"

He sometimes licks his balls at this suggestion but I'm not sure just what he is thinking or whether a flea is troubling him.

Anyway, good on N.Z.! They don't toady to the U.S. either.

Australians, hang your heads and tug your forelocks in shame!

Religion was and is still, the first law and order, going back as far as your minds can think. Do you think it was easy for the first law makers?....I wasn't. The time it took for us to get here...its been a good road of dis..and re..covered...and that's the problem.

Planet3

"By focusing too much on (1) the accumulation of wealth (2) attempts to influence government (3) the pursuit of status and prestige and (4) risible attempts to rationalise all that, Christians have lost the plot. They are supposed to be about spiritual wealth and salvation, that is their raison d'etre, but it is one gig they don't want to personalise."

Claims like this are both divisive and -- in my view -- simply wrong. The vast majority of religious believers of any type are rational, intelligent, well-behaved, productive people. The violent and intolerant behaviour that is contributing -- slightly -- to the decline of religion is generally confined to a few fundamentalists. Far more important in the decline is increasing education levels and the free movement of information via the Internet.

Rejection of religion is not a 'gut reaction' to badly-behaved theists, but a logical position into which educated minds can reason themselves by examining the evidence. That's why the reversion rate from atheism to theism is so low. This claim suggests that mainstream Christians could reverse the flow simply by being 'nicer'; but no matter how nice they are, they can't alter the obvious fact that their religious belief is completely unjustified.

'This claim suggests that mainstream Christians could reverse the flow simply by being 'nicer'; but no matter how nice they are, they can't alter the obvious fact that their religious belief is completely unjustified.'

actually Jon J it shows that people are deceieved into not reaching the conclusion that all human hearts are corrupt. Evidence is totally ignored.

It seems to be a bit of theme of yours, runner...

>>...actually Jon J it shows that people are deceieved into not reaching the conclusion that all human hearts are corrupt. Evidence is totally ignored.<<

The fact that there is corruption in the human heart, as you put it, is no more evidence of the existence of a supreme being than the fact that some people are actually nice to each other.

Runner the other is a bigger myth, show me the evidence of your man written bible.