Well said Gervase.

The place of religion in modern world politics is largely (but not exculsively) to blame for the mess we are in now. Religion encourages us to abandon rational thought as the main method of deciding our actions. It cultivates intolerance amongst people who otherwise might be able to live together in harmony. It is a tool for manipulation and control of large numbers of people. It enables leaders to justify actions which are morally repugnant.

The terrorists who flew the planes into the WTC were (in their minds) going to paradise as martyrs and would be welcomed by God. The same God that 'told' GWB to invade Iraq, and drives the rise of the right-wing in the USA. The same God that as Gervase points out, the Israelis and Islamicists invoke to justify their continuing conflict. The list goes on . . .

I love the diversity of the world's various religions, their clothes, music and architecture. But this is a high price to pay for the conflict and misery religious influence has brought over the centuries.

You don't need religion to create a moral framework for our societies, to understand and learn about our world, or respect the right of every man, woman and child on the planet to live in happiness within a fair and just society of their choosing without the threat of violence.

Amen. (doh!)