A thoughtful last sentence 2011, very nicely put as well, not ignoring the issue but putting it in perspective.

Maybe this article should be entitled, tolerance for fellow men and women grows in the US as people live their own live,s not pandering to those who tell them how they should be living.

Branddon Howse,, I get his newsletter (can't think why) won't be suprised if one day it claims that Jesus is the anti Christ.

"Science is a wonderful thing, philosophy is a wonderful thing, but neither give any meaning in life." -Richard Morgan ...I have no problem with that, but science is an excellent platform on which one can forge meaning and come to an understanding of ones life, place in the universe, and destiny.

Yep, and God will most likely be coming to join us to get away from them.

Amadeus is an excellent film, I go to the flicks once or twice a month, I love it. Best movie so far this year I've seen: Never let me go, great soundtrack as well, downloaded as soon as I got home. Not sure how you know families come out empty, but speaking from personal experience, when my kids where young we loved family trips to the cinema, good times.

Not sure what the shock value of the movie is, unless you think that soembody trying to play the white and black swan and the affect it has on them is shocking.

No idea about the bit at the start.

steveh20 steveh20 What we hear much more frequently, and openly is : "Man (or woman) becomes atheist because Christians hurt their feelings." That is much closer to the truth.....I'm not saying that does not occur because I accept you are more up to speed on that point than me, but could you bring forth some of these frequent examples? Thank you, Steve

I would not take to much notice of the polls at this moment in time (being in goverment is not a job that normally makes one popular no matter what you are doing), once the race gets going for real and debates and press interviews occur, then they will mean more.

Thank you 2011 (got that right at least) you are correct, but let us hope that, that is what prophet actually understood it to be, I'm sure he did. Bw Steve

In the UK in school (in religious studies) I studied the Bible as literature along with the other major world faiths texts, never did me any harm, really helped me to place the Bible in its world cultural context, I'm sure that that is what the people pushing this want. What other faiths texts are also being studied in the same manner, to help the kids understand this better like I did?

This has nothing to do with whether I think Obama is good or not, but being a pragmatist and looking at the possible Republican challenges so far, he has 2012 sown up, he is a very good debater and orator, and puts his thoughts over in a very clear, cool, competant way, that will count big time. Now the outlook for 2012 might change but looking around, not at this time.

Thankyou for your replies 2010, having asked you to clarify your point of how people are forced and giving you ample chance to do this hat you cannot. A lesson to learn is that if you make assertions here you must be ready to back them up rather than avoid them at any cost. Bw Steve

A true atheist who actually believed wholeheartedly in their position would know that there is absolutely no point at all in arguing about the existence of God, ....Not really, its nice to talk about all manner of things over a pint with friends down the pub there is always a point in friendly debate with those who might disagree with one. I hold strong views on a number of matters but that does ...more

A true atheist who actually believed wholeheartedly in their position would know that there is absolutely no point at all in arguing about the existence of God, ....Not really, its nice to talk about all manner of things over a pint with friends down the pub there is always a point in friendly debate with those who might disagree with one. I hold strong views on a number of matters but that does not stop me argueing with others concerning there validity. I accept it might you of course.less

I would like to assure you I am not mangling your words, its not my style but you did write....No one can read a book such as The God Delusion without seeing 400 pages of militant atheist beliefs being forced on others.....I wanted to know, how if somebody chose to read a book, what ever the subject, be it militant atheism or whatever, how could that subject be forced on them if they read about it...more

I would like to assure you I am not mangling your words, its not my style but you did write....No one can read a book such as The God Delusion without seeing 400 pages of militant atheist beliefs being forced on others.....I wanted to know, how if somebody chose to read a book, what ever the subject, be it militant atheism or whatever, how could that subject be forced on them if they read about it of their own free will? I see no mangling in that question what so ever. I have read the book by the way.less

1020, you chose to read the book, so nothing was being forced on you and the same would go for these"others" (who they?) who chose to read the book, nothing is being, forced on them as you stated, so it is difficult to understand what you actually meant. Would you like to clarify further?

LSC....but the fact is it isn't enough for most atheists to simply "not believe in God" they have to get in the faces of theists and try to convince others they are right....and some theists especillay around here don't do that to others of different persuasions ? Why is it okay for one group to act in such a manner but not another, that seems a tadge unfair to me. Bw Steve

Of course I meant, school. LOL.

Watcher, remind me how somebody is forced to read the book, as far as I know people are free to read or not read books in our culture (aside from scholl where they might be studied), can you give me some examples where people are being forced to have this occur to them. Thanks.