Jack, what I wrote about the perceived physicists' claim, I am particularly referring to the text you are quoting in your post of 20 Jul 12 - 06:34 PM. A physicist standing beside me right now confirms my impression that it is a misunderstanding, e.g. of the Big Bang theory.

"Physics has nothing to say about the afterlife or the meaning of life."

Agreed, and I do not know of any physicist claiming otherwise. On the other hand, anyone who wishes to speak about the Big Bang with any authority (including the late pope JPII, excluding me), should know at least as much about it as I do, preferably much more.

"Counting photons which struck a man's face is of no consolation to a widow."

That is the point Freeman makes. Since the text about the funeral is meant as a satire, it goes without saying that nobody of any sensibility would ever perform such a speech in serious, not even an atheism activist.

Now my criticism: Assume a stranger steps forward at a funeral and says "I have studied theology, and I am convinced that your husband will fly in heaven as an angel with a harp!" - would that be of any consolation to the widow, even if she believes it? (Sorry for the pun, but I can well understand that Will Fly would prefer the other variant, if there were no other choice.)

The true message of a religious funeral, no matter what is being preached, is the spirit of being united in mourning as a congregation and with many earlier generations. A (say) rabbi stands for this connection as a person and with his office, not with his individual wisdom. Freeman must know this; if he had fashioned his texts accordingly, he would not provide his opponents with such an easy target.