"I comfort myself with the truth of a "simple Gospel for a sinful world" "

Which is exactly why the concept of religion, makes so much
evolutionary sense. Homeostasis of the human brain is critical
for healthy mind function. Stressed, anxious people are not
happy people.

How you feel, is thus critical to your wellbeing. Clearly
religion gives you that comfort, as you admit. Your perceived
truth matters hugely to you, for your happiness.

Wether its really true or not is another issue altogether.
Religion makes you feel good, thats why you believe so
strongly.

All quite simple really :)

Yabby, If you need a crutch in life, use crutches.
Some of us do not need crutches.
Marx said religion is the opium of the masses, i agree, corporate and political advertising is intertwined with religion, and it has worked so well, in winning the hearts and minds of so many who seemingly, are unable to think for themselves, and many actually comforted by the constant messages they receive via media sources.
We are all equal, but some are more equal than others, [Orwell] it was true in the old communist system, and it is true in the new capitalist system.
I have experienced the best and worst of people, i treat everyone as equal, regardless of who or what they are, social values and morals have become weasel words, in todays climate of greed and dishonesty.

annnd...a happy good morning to you Sarah101... up early I see.

You said:

"i treat everyone as equal"

Ummmm... but you call me a 'loony' :) hmmmm I'm not sure if that equates to 'equality' mate.

YABBY...... I see I still have a bit of work left with you :)

*crutch* ? whether 'it' is true or not..... my goodness.

Well.. its very hard to convince a marxist that 'religion is the opiate of the masses' is a very sloppy statement, because they hold that view dogmatically. Just so, it is difficult to convince one like perhaps you and sarah of the truth of Christ.

In reality, its a matter of balance of probabilities humanly speaking.
I seriously doubt that either of you have done even a fraction of the needed study and research on the origins of Christianity to be qualified to make such a statement about its truthfulness or otherwise.. buttt.....I could be wrong :)
I can't see how a serious study of the beginnings of the faith can lead to any other conclusion than that He who said "I am the Way" is in fact.....the Way.

Speaking of research, Boazy - I note that you still haven't been able to provide a reference for the purported quote upon which you based this thread. You know, where he saya 'I hate religion'.

Is this another case of Boazy making claims on the basis of what he thought someone might say?

BOAZ
By posting your topic, you invited comment, it is no good letting your ego overtake you, when you get comments you do not approve of.
I hate religion, and what it does to people's minds. I experienced the full force of an evil universal church, as a child.
You put up a bait for people to take, it seems your bait has stuck in your own gullet and i do not think you are capable or able to remove it.

It was pretty tedious, CJ, but the quote is actually deep inside the audio. You have to wade through the delightfully lightweight Melvin Tinker to get there, but the quote actually comes from another interview entirely, where Dawkins says "I have no hatred of Christians, I hate all religions".

It was a spontaneous and clearly unscripted offering to the interviewer, and is of course internally illogical.

If Dawkins "hates all religions", and Christianity is a religion, he must by definition hate Christianity. Why then does he preface his remark with the statement of exactly the opposite?

The answer, when you think of it, is patently obvious. He misspoke "religion" as "religions".

This is consistent with his books, his speeches and his public persona, where he frequently asserts that "religion leads to evil". Not religions; religion.

[Note also, that he doesn't say "religion always leads to evil", or "religion alone leads to evil"]

However, the careless placement of the letter "s" will no doubt be used against him in many contexts and for many purposes.

But fair go, I am grateful to Boaz for pointing out the Melvin Tinker lecture. It is always good to be reassured that if this is the level of argument against atheism, religion is likely to continue to become less relevant as time goes by.

Which is, in a world where we learn more every day to grow and develop our critical faculties, just as it should be.