Cruiser, I think you would agree that the problem is people
trying to apply their beliefs in everyday life. I have a
great deal of respect for "believers", as long as they don't
try to force it on others under pain of death.

However, your scientific objections are not applicable.
How can God overcome the (excruciatingly slow) speed of light?
How can God hear our prayers, or direct our lives?
They have only to say "God is omnipotent" -- or "Allah hu akbar",
and the questions are answered to their satisfaction. God, by
DEFINITION, can do anything, including over-ride the laws of
nature and science.

Fear of God has done a lot to keep people in line -- that's the
part I respect. Evidently it's not enough to say No Stealing.
It has to be "God says, Thou shalt not steal, or else!"

However, millions have been slaughtered In the Name of God.
What we atheists need to do is just get them to STOP THE KILLING.

Back to science for a moment. I believe the "Big Bang Theory" is
a pathetic attempt of scientists to redeem themselves with the
religious mainstream. It just happens to correspond (loosely)
with Genesis. It's valid AS a theory, but there is just as much
empirical evidence against it as for it.

My own cosmological belief is that the universe is infinite in
space and time. One inescapable conclusion this leads to is
that everything that can possibly happen, has already happened
an infinite number of times.

I'm just hoping that this time, we can survive.

Love, Johnny in OKC