I suppose, achmelvich, it depends on whether or not you believe in a God who does tricks. You know, the man behind the screen, the magnificently mustachioed magician who makes wonderful things happen for those who pay the price of admission. Well, only people who don't believe in God, believe in a God like that.
And only people like Mr. Dawkins, believe in the God that Dawkins defines.
Bad things happen. That's the way life works. Part of the wonder of life, is the ability we humans have when we're at our best, to confront these bad things and prevail over them.
If people commit appalling crimes, then it's people -not God- who have to resolve those crimes.


Don't like my tying you to Richard Dawkins, fellahs? Well, I googled some of the buzzwords you folks use time and time again. "Imaginary friend?" - Dawkins. "Brainwashing" and the Jesuit "Give Me a Child" quote? - Dawkins. The buzzwords always come up tied to Dawkins.

Why don't you stop talking in buzzwords and take the time to read and think about exactly what I've written? I really believe that civil and fruitful discussion of any topic should be possible between religious and non-religious people, but only if they can respect the other for having a different but equally valid perspective. But how can I carry on any sort of discussion with you if you say I base my life on an invalid faith that you proceed to define according to your own specifications?

Musket says, I have yet to come across a person who uses a religion as their moral guide accept that some of us can be comfortable with our morals without needing such a crutch.. Twice before he made that statement, I said that I base my morals on rational thinking and not on faith. As I said above, morality is societal conduct and values that make sense for the health of society. And you know, I learned that in moral theology class. Now, if you're an ideological person and incapable of thinking for yourself, that doesn't work. And if you have not advanced beyond the ideological level, you cannot even comprehend that some people are able to function quite well by thinking for themselves - even if their thinking is different from the "correct" ideology.

Now, settle down and drop the buzzwords, and see if you can come up with some answers to the questions I ask.

-Joe Offer-