Ah! But once again, GUEST,Pastinaken, you fall into the error of assuming that all religions are monolithic in their beliefs.

They are not!

Yes, I think it IS legitimate to criticize particular religions for their particular beliefs and their particular actions. But you, like many, "infidels" (used in its literal and non-pejorative sense:   "unbeliever."), condemn all religions for the beliefs and actions of only some.

Now, I jump on Pat Robertson's case for his asinine remark that the Haitian earthquake was God's punishment because they practice voodoo as ignorant, stupid, mean-spirited, and very un-Christian. But to condemn all Christians—or all religions—because to the emissions of one horse's ass is neither accurate nor just.

And your litany of offenses:   ". . . discrimination against women and the demonisation of homosexuals, campaigns against condom use in AIDS stricken Africa, campaigns agaist the rights of terminally ill people to die with dignity instead of in terrible pain - etc, etc, etc. . . ."   Not all religions are guilty of these things. In fact, not that many churches are! In fact, there is a substantial number who advocate none of the things you condemn and speak out against them themselves.

The matter merits a bit of re-thinking.

Educate yourself and—    Be fair!

Don Firth