I agree with the general thrust of the argument - that Christianity is not the sole domain of the West. And it is a shame that the stereotype of Arabic equals Muslim or Arabic does not equal Christian exists.
Indeed, if Jesus were around today, with His long, full beard and dark, swarthy skin, I wonder whether He would be routinely rounded up by police on suspicion alone?

TruthNow78-

It is better for society to die out with integrity than to continue on living a neurotic lie. It is better for a person to live and die honestly than to go on living a fantasy. As Mel Gibson told us in Braveheart – “Every man dies but not every man truly lives”.

I would hate to be one of your children knowing that you only brought me into the world to further your own neurotic needs. I wouldn’t feel loved but used and abused. It is like sending your kids out as prostitutes in order to make money for your drug habit.

Religion needs to stand on its own merits. If it can only have credibility by out breeding the opposition then it must be a very insecure way of life.

Thanks for the article. I grew up Belmore/Lakemba and many classmates were Christian Arabs. It wasn't until I got older that I realised not all Arabs were Christians (who would have thought it).
As an adult I have a hard time understanding the finger pointing, hatred and blame games that go on amongst all types of people. Stereotypes are more of a threat to our society living peacefully than any religion (in my opinion). I think it was Monty Python who once said, "Why can't we all just get along?"
If people can find the strength to leave their stereotypes at the door then we'd all be much happier.

Let's see...

An agnostic mate of mine from highschool has three kids and another on the way, precisely because he wants to balance out the bogans and religious maniacs who breed like flies.

A Swedish friend of mine is one of seven, born to fiercely atheistic parents. He and his partner want at least three kids, who'll be raised as atheist rationalists.

Truthnow's beliefs about demographics are woefully mistaken.

Moreover, the extremists who represent the real religious threat will always drag their countries backward because they don't accept science or rationality. Luckily for such savages, they're able to inhabit secular societies in which unbelievers will prevent them sliding back into barbarism.

Hi Stezza, my understading of what TRUTHNOW78 means by ""quantum physics shows the limitations of science and the need for belief"
is this:
One of the benefits of understanding the basics of quantum physics is that you can finally see clearly how your thoughts, ideas and beliefs control the outcome of your life.

Quantum physics is the study of the building blocks of the universe. Let's use your body as an example. Your body is made up of cells. These cells are made up of molecules, which are made up of atoms, which are in turn made up of sub-atomic particles such as electrons. The study of quantum physics has proven that everything is made up of 'large groups' of sub-atomic particles.

Your body, your car, plants, trees, thoughts, light, everything else, including the entire universe are 'concentrations or large groups' of energy or sub-atomic particles. The only difference is in the way these particles are grouped together into building blocks.
The sub-atomic particles are energy packets that are sometimes called "quanta".

Knowing how they work and knowing how they are drawn together is the KEY. Everything in this universe is made up of energy, and these energy packets behave in the most amazing way! To put it simply, they have intelligence, this intelligence is "spirit" or for a better word GOD. You can thus see were science ends and spirit continues.

The reason they appear as certain things and arrange themselves into an automobile or a table, for example, is due to our individual and collective thoughts which is driven by spirit.

Spirit and Mind shapes this energy into physical form. If you can see what I see, then you will understand the relationship between spirituality and science much more clearly now

Dear jakkelaas,
There is a big difference between dust particles and living tissue.
There is an equally big divide between quanta which performs under strict universal rules (OK, some of which we don't currently understand - ie Heisenberg uncertainty principle) and self-aware human beings, so I cannot understand how you can pull these two together to provide a quasi-religious interpretation of matter.
My Spirit or your Spirit doesn’t "drive" my car - a tank full of diesel does.
God is God and particles are just that - particles. Particles don't have any intelligence. Like a faithful mutt they do what they’re told.
How does the universe exist if I don't give it one second’s thought during the day?
Sorry, doesn't wash with me.