Poor frantic West demonstrates exactly his brand of dominating religious confused ideoplgy. He says he upholds democracy in one sentence "as a firm believer in Democracy" and denies it in another "Religion is the polar oppositte of democracy". West is rather an impulsive dominating angry man. He has no place for others opinion - just his own.

Religion is the personal values that make us human and distinct from other forms of life. That some prefer to be angry sadists who wish to impose their sad values on others is rather tragic. A value system that impose death upon the innocent unborn, the filth of anal sex upon a healthy society, and macarbe science to suit their immoral and vain ends. Dr David Nicholls, there appears something rather psychotic in Wests response that needs counselling attention! His experience with Religion has so distorted his view of reality.

Philo your religionist propaganda is tired and defunct.

I have questions for you, how is it you must fight against democracy and freedom in order for your cult to take over, why is your god not capable of doing so himself? Why didnt god simply create normal people in chains and Christians with savage dogs for hands?

If freedom and democracy is blasphemy then why does god need you to figtht for him rather than leaving such to the likes of you?

If Jesus teaches morality and you behave this way, what is the point of Jesus if your behaviour is the outcome?

Why must Australia submit to the Christian yoke when every instance of Christian domination has meant terrorism and failure?

Do you honestly believe that Christians taking out their frustration that god does not exist on all other people is spiritually rewarding? What if Australians do not submit to Christian domination? What aqre your plans for this insubordination?

How is the spirit not self obsession ?

How is faith not superstition?

Without proof of God what justification have you as Christians got for your assertion you are the master people? How can you be Gods chosen to rule, when you have not got a true god in the first place?

I think we are all aware by now that your definition of religion is all-encompassing, Philo.

>>Religion is the personal values that make us human and distinct from other forms of life<<

Unfortunately, not only I but also the Australian Bureau of Statistics disagree with you. This is from the 2001 Census:

"For a group to be included in the Australian Bureau of Statistics' classification of religion, it would have to show that there was an underlying belief system or philosophy, and that there is also some form of institutional arrangements or organisational structure"

You can bluster away all you like, Philo, but religion, in the way the vast majority of Australians use the term, involves a common set of beliefs contained within an organized framework.

Have a great day.

"Religion is the personal values that make us human and distinct from other forms of life" is Complete nonesense. Unless you are Doctor do little you cannot know that. Infact there is much evidence gathered by biologists to suggest Bovines, Primates, parrots and Canines will mourn their dead. This suggests animals are not above superstition and above delusions as your statement suggests. Through sign language conversations with Coco the gorilla testify that there is a fine line between the minds of gorillas and men.

The definition of religion has nothing to do with values, the religious differ from the normal community in that they 'must' follow precise rituals to navigate through their fantasy world of superstition , fearing the wrath of gods or broken mirrors if there is any deviation from the narrow line of ritualised life. Perhaps religion will one day be treated as an illness because what is the difference between the compusion to worship and the compulsion to gamble? That day can only come when we as a society are mature enough to admit religion is a disease the same way we have admitted that smoking is a disease. Smoking was once regarded as having health benifits.

West,
Obviously you mix with very few genuine Christians; their religion has everything to do with values and nothing to do with superstition. In fact the term atheism has everything to do with superstition and nothing to do with values.

I ask what rituals do I perform to navigate through my day to avoid the wrath of God?

What religion teaches that broken mirrors will affect one's day? You are filled with superstition and negative bigoted brainwashing.

In case you had not realised the laws on banning advertising, display of cigarettes and smoking in NSW were formulated by the notorious Rev Fred Nile. A man upholding his values that man is made in the image of God and ought to keep himself free of all addictions

Well if religion has nothing to do with values, then you have lost the debate. Because those upholding values have every right to be involved in politics wether they be religious or not. Because politics is about upholding social values. So stop denying the right of people of religious faith to be involved in politics.

Of course you won't buy that argument will you? Because Religion has everything to do with values you may or may not reject.

I suggest you try to bring in a four day working week with every fifth day a rest day so it does not represent a Jewish - Christian - Islamic view of Creation. According to you a religious superstition. I suggest you try to change the Calander to a date representing an atheists view of the world and not a reference point to Christ. You see these are laws established by religious values.