There indeed is a requirement for God, for some.
God, every one of them, have given us rules to live by, not always good rules.
God has fed millions of preachers no matter what sex or name that God has.
Those preachers and their servants have used God for power and privilege.
Our governments do and always have, use the Gods to control us and pacifies us.
We march off to war knowing God is on our side, some times both sides.
We know our deaths will not be forever, God sees to that.
If UFO ever lands they may bring a new God for us, may have bought some before.
Those of us who have no God, and there are many, may be happier.
We see the trees the sky the flowers, the works of art and hear the music, for what it is, humanity's greatness.
We sometimes created God in our image, what better way to honor your childhood teddy bears?

DiamondPete “Shocky wrote, "no, they have experiences". Shocky therefore denied outright, in direct reply to my post, that believers have beliefs.”

No I did not.
Your actual statement was “That's ALL they have .....'belief'”

"That's ALL they have". Notice the emphasis on ALL?

I responded to *that* statement, by reminding you people have experiences.

Did I really need to add “too” or “also”?
An intelligent person wouldn't need any superfluous additional words to comprehend what I said.

“science is currently in it's mere infancy.”

And already scientists are speculating on the possibility that a *consciousness* is creating the universe, creating *you*, me, everything, right now in real time.

In 10,000 years these kind of theories will be elaborated and refined.
We won't have “science” and “religion”, we will have The Church of The Quest for Truth.

Ha ha, nice try Shocky. Of COURSE people have "experiences" ...duh !! Do I "really" have to point that out to you with the words "of COURSE" ?? An intelligent person would have comprehended exactly what I meant when I wrote "that's ALL they have". But biblical literalists like yourself can only comprehend literally. Poor boy Shocky .... I'd recommend a good English Comprehension course for you. It may assist you with your written communication ability. Glad I could be of assistance.

Another good one .... you falsely "imply" that science is now embracing Gods. Umm Shocky, I guess you also believe the "science" (ha ha ha) of "creation science". When gullible followers of ancient superstitions don't like what "real" science says, or doesn't say, they create their OWN "version" of science, one that's entirely sympathetic to the ancient superstitions people like Shocky "believe" in. In other words, the conclusion that a deity is real, is believed in **BEFORE** the fake religious science is applied as an attempt to back up the "belief".

Nice try Shocky. You're a funny guy. Keep trying though. I'm waiting .......

Sunday morning, getting ready for it soon.
Sea side market day.
Will come home with more plants and some fresh food.
You can bet your house on this.
Far more will go to that market than the how many? 8, 10, near empty churches in my area.
Dreadful thing to say.
Tasteless and I know that.
But my morning newspapers AGAIN tell of mass rape and bashings.
Of young boys by Catholic Priests.
Is there any wounder they are empty?
What would your God think of this?

Dear Poirot,

Earlier you wrote: <<I'm not sure I understand entirely where Yuyutsu is coming from>>

There are people even on this forum who would be glad to outlaw religion, who care not for logic and wisdom but enjoy mockery, contempt and blind hate of all that others hold in reverence.

Some are just bullies who enjoy attacking others, minorities which they perceive as weak. Against those, no words will do, only a big stick.

Then there are others who join them because they were, perhaps still are, subject to coercion by people who claim to be "religious".

Coercion is not part of religion - it goes against religion.

Yes, religion often calls for austerities, for restrictions, for foregoing comfort and pleasures - but it is always one's own comfort and pleasures that are restricted, always voluntarily and NEVER the comfort and pleasures of others. One can be dragged to church, but one cannot be brought closer to God by being forced to act or not in certain ways - only by free choice.

Those who restrict the freedom of others, even be they priests, bishops, cardinals, rabbis, mullahs, gurus - whatever, know nothing about religion!

It is so unfortunate that those who suffered under the hands of so-called "religious" people, join the bullies and blindly attack religion without even understanding what religion is all about. They fail to understand that in doing so, they also undermine themselves and their own religious path (even when they may not be aware of being on it).

Unless we bring fresh and clear understanding of what religion is - but especially of what religion ISN'T, the bullies and ignorants would be on their way to celebrate together a Kristallnacht against religious people.

I am not here to make anyone believe in what I say.
I am here to defend the people of God from persecution.

Defend the people of god from persecution. Pell is the number one ticket holder of defense from persecution.
Door knockers, out dated rules, scientoligists, the people of god need a good look at what they are supporting.
Religion belongs in medieval days, when the earth was flat and heaven was north and hell was south.
Bullfrogs and whales, walk on water, is that educational.
God botherers need to pull back and say, what in heavens name is going on here, our superiors are are not practicing what they preach.