the fact that we are made in the image of the genius Creator is not a superstition as David F implies. He has a problem with the Bible that absorbs him, it is unfortunate he cannot understand current societies to base their society on its values.

Does David have a society that he can give that extolls his values?

" founding fathers of the United States were inspired by Lucretius and Spinoza."

They were among the most learned people of their age. I suspect that had multiple influences.

Dear Josephus,

God is a concept that was invented by humans. Humans have invented God, gods and many religions. Some religions maintain there is a god. Some do not. Some religions follow the Bible. Some do not. The Bible is a book written by humans and neither peer reviewed nor fact checked. Muslims follow the Koran. Jews omit the New Testament from their Bible. Theravada Buddhists consult the Tripitaka. Hindus rely on the Mahabarata. There is no reason to rely on any of these documents. None of them have been peer reviewed nor fact checked. As far as I am concerned all these documents embody superstitions.

S116 of the Australian Constitution which you and live under states:

The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.

The Bible is one of many religious books, and it does not determine Australian law which you and I live under. It only has status for those who choose to follow it. Where it conflicts with Australian law Australian law prevails. The Bible states that thou shall not suffer a witch to live. If you follow the Bible and kill someone you think is a witch you either go to the loony bin or to prison.

We live in a secular state, and the Bible has no status under Australian law.

Matthew Stewart's book "Nature's God,"
looks interesting. Thank you David f.

" America's founders intended to liberate us not
just from one king but from the ghostly tyranny of
supernatural religion. Drawing deeply on European
philosophy, Matthew Stewart brilliantly tracks the
ancient pagan and continental ideas from which
American revolutionaries drew their inspiration."

"In the writings of Spinoza, Lucretius and other great
philosophers Stewart recovers the true meanings of
"Nature's God. "The pursuit of Happiness," and the\
radical political theory with which the American
experiment in self-government began."

http://amazon.com.au/Natures-Heretical-Origins-American-Republic/dp/0393351297

david f you misrepresent the Australian Constitution. It is based in the Westminster law and gives allegiance to the Crown, at this time being represented by Queen Elizabeth head of the Anglican Church and those that represent her like Governors General. That is a religious appointment under British law, and when one swears allegiance to this society they swear it on the Bible. Though many atheists are objecting and implementing all sorts of conflicting value systems. So Australia is a conglomorate of cultures and values with allegiances to foreign values and systems.

We are gradually loosing freedom of expression and belief to atheist bullies, and nature worshippers, and proporters of infantercide and sexual/ gender perversions. As new laws just passed in Victoria protect.

Josephus,

Tow Prime Ministers have sworn an Oath of Allegiance
to the Commonwealth instead of the Queen: Kevin
Rudd, and Paul Keating.

Julia Gillard chose an Affirmation instead of an
Oath of Allegiance.

Ed Husic swore an Oath on the Qur-an.

Josh Frydenberg - wearing a skull cap, swore on a
Jewish Holy Book lent to him by former Governor General
Zelman Cohen.

Also, the Queen's position in Australia is very different.
She is not the Queen of the British monarchy here, but the
Queen of Australia. There is a difference in her roles.