"I think you got the initial sounds of your Mudcat name reversed."

Bingo - you got the joke.

"Where you got the idea you are able to give ANYone a clue is beyond me. That has to be the single-most puffed-up and egocentric remark I've read on this site."

Haven't read much then have you? I apologise if my remark came across as holier than thou, perhaps I misunderstood your point. I'm full of shit but at least I admit it; after a decade posting here I'd be a fool not too. Especially given some of the crap talked on here.

"Science is one, mathematics another, ethics also another, philosophy yet again another. If you stop your thinking in a single area of human research you cut yourself off from other truths. "

Agree. But science and religion can co-exist only if each other side agrees to disagree, and then what's the point?

"If religion is about morality and not power, then it can be used to help keep the misapplications of scientific research from being put to nefarious/evil purposes."

This is the bit I must have misunderstood Guest 999. So clear this up for me:

1) How can religious morality be used to stop misapplications of scientific research?

2) Can science provide a framework for a moral system?

3) Which religion should be allowed to exercise it's moral authority over science (or anything else for that matter)?

4) What is the ultimate source of that authority?

5) Is it possible the source of religious moral authority might not sit too well with the people who are being directed by it?

6) Does politics have a role in this?

Make it so even a pompous fat twat like me can understand.