Frank "....factual data that is used to elect politicians. I have to remind you that atheists and agnostics never make it to public office which is an indictment of what is supposed to be democracy and a violation of Church and State"

Governments in my corner of the world are full of them (agnsotics and atheists), that's the way democracy works, people vote for what they like (or perhaps politicians' religion is not an issue here when canvassing for votes; I've seen VERY few politicans here standing ona religious platform). One EU commissioner was forced out of office a few years ago on account of his religious views (despite his promises to vote in a secular way or abstain). He was replaced with someone felt to be more secular.

"I have been exposed to some of CS Lewis and I must say that I am more impressed with
Philip Pullman's "Golden Compass" than I am with tales of Narnia. (I really had a personal
problem with Lewis when I saw his PBS special and he was puffing on a pipe throughout.)"

Maybe you didn't like his Narnia books, fair enough. 'The Screwtape Letters' I thought was excellent. Have you tried that one?
As fort the pipe.....well, in those days they didn't think smoking was such an awful thing. We know better now!

Thanks for the tone of your reply though, Frank, I appreciate your candour.