'Truth'Now.. no 'plans' for destroying your religion.

Xtians have had many attempts to kill the Jews and they were not well received in the end, so we need to keep away from any more final solutions like that.

And in fairness to xtains, many other religions have tried similar moves, although not quite as extensive as the Catholic Hitler's more recent attempts.

I doubt such a move could achieve anything useful, in fact.

Sadly, there are far too many who behave as Pericles described, gormless adherents to the fairy approach to the world-beyond.

But what our society should not do, is to give religion a free kick with special tax status and an unwholesome devotion to listening to the self-appointed seers, like Wallace and Shelton, like Pell and Jensen, like Houston and the Vicar of God, like the Salvo's generalissimo.

And also like that 'hanging meat' man and his Pluto-like acolyte, who was always making excuses for the outrageous comments that man made.

Neither should we pay so much attention to people like Blair, Bush, Rudd, Howard, Beazley and the hordes of other religio-political class who tells us that they speak to their god before making decisions.

That would be an interesting Wikileak, eh? Between the gods and Rudd, or Blair or Bush, just as much as between the gods and Dinnerjacket or Bin Laden.

It's really not hard to judge when religion becomes a danger, is it?

The evidence is all around us, every day, everywhere in the world.

Pericles, yes, we agree then. Thanks for clarifying that point.

As for atheism becoming a danger, I very much doubt it.

Atheism is a name given to those who do not share your illusion, by those who do.

It is not a 'belief' system like yours is, so cannot be used as a tool to corrupt others, or call for soldiers to fight under the flag.

What danger do you see from your own atheism towards fairies? Are you intent on a world takeover of those who do still believe in them?

Oh dear, you do believe in fairies too!

Many people who say religion is a cancer just want to continue to live guilt free immoral lives. No amount of hatred spewed out will make wrong right and right wrong. God denying and hating won't change reality.

Quite right runner, so how about your lot give up all your hate towards others?

By the way, it's impossible to 'hate' gods, since they do not exist.

Might as well 'hate' Pinnochio, or Jack ( of 'and the beanstalk' mythical tale).

Anyway, who says anyone is 'hating' apart from, say xtians hating muslims, and vice versa? Oh, and xtians hating Jews, and Jews hating Arabs, and so it goes, on the magnificent religious Wheel of Hate.

Dear Blue Cross,

You should know better - just because some people disguise their worst behaviours and nationalistic prejudices as "religion" does not make them any religious in fact.

Indeed Yuyutsu, but whilst ever the bigots and nationalists pose under the cloak of religion, and are allowed to do so by those who say they do not feel the same way, it is not unreasonable to then draw a cordon around 'religion', in all its nastiness, and declare 'the religious' to be bigots, nationalists and dangerous frauds.

But I really do not hear much clamouring from this 'silent majority', if that is what you are hinting at, to denounce the bigots and nationalists and frauds.

In fact, I see 'ordinary people' falling over themselves to be close to religious leaders and their statements, particularly our politicians.

Dear Blue Cross,

I suspect you are not going to hear much from the silent majority - for by definition, they are silent...

There are millions in Australia who ardently apply themselves to come closer to God. Many among them are not conscious about this; many among them cannot put words to their inner urge to unite with God; and many among them are agnostics or atheists who do not even acknowledge that God exists (for God to exist is an inner contradiction, because that would have placed a limitation upon Him and reduce Him to the level of an object, but never mind this subtle detail for now). While the later may name their urge, and their actions that arise from this urge, in different terms (they could perhaps use "Truth", "Love" or "Nature"), they are still seeking the same. Many among those do not call themselves "religious" - yet they are!

You should therefore be very accurate with the terms you use, unless you actually mean to call what the silent majority does "a cancer".

A religious person seeks closeness to God, not to "religious leaders", but then, whom were you referring to as "religious leaders" in the first place? did you mean people who lead others on the path of religion? or people who lead others on the path of pretense (of religion)? or leaders who also happen to be religious?

"it is not unreasonable to then draw a cordon around 'religion', in all its nastiness"

Go ahead then and draw a cordon around 'religion' - but please don't forget the quotes!