Wow, things have got harsh on here. I find some of Pete's comments rather insulting as they imply dishonesty amongst scientists, which is total bollocks and which he doesn't apologise for. Has he ever even been to a scientific conference to meet the people he opposes so vehemently? I've spent a lot of time in churches (being brought up Cof E, then off to the methodists and finally a free church that I quite liked as it had much better hymns), I was educated in state schools that sang hymns, prayed and read lessons, and I attend church services when people get married, christened or die. I have read the new testament from cover to cover. I have considered the subject deeply. I then became interested in Buddhism, but that's a different story. Let's just say I like to take nothing on blind faith.

However, personally insulting the chap is taking it too far. I find religious extremists of any ilk disturbing but we have to try to engage with them. Pete's constant evasiveness is frustrating and implies a lack of ability to research his subject properly; chucking in the odd scientific term is not enough. Still, I'm not interested in calling his personal integrity into question, despite the fact he obviously feels people like myself have none at all.

Science needs to establish a meaningful dialogue with people of all religions, and in some cases this is happening but parties on both sides are guilty of being too entrenched to open up meaningful discourse.