Hey Joe,

Thanks for your interesting and thoughtful post. I know I come over as very anti religion and some extrapolate that to mean I have bigoted views about a lifestyle, (following a religious belief) whilst trying to promote lifestyles, (being gay or anything else that offends some religious teachings.)

The conundrum can be explained, (in my head anyway..) by having an overall concern about a religion having influence on the laws and customs I am expected to adhere to. i didn't vote for the party (s) that won our government election earlier this month, but accept that as a democratic voter, I am expected to live with the decision and abide by their laws.

With religion, I am not a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or in fact anything. I am Steamin' Willie, or whatever. What's more, I am not even atheist. Because that would mean I have a stance having thought it through. I haven't bothered thinking it through any more than I have thought it through about joining the local pigeon fanciers' society. (Ok, sorry, for those not familiar, breeding and racing pigeons, popular where I come from..) So not even the term atheist applies to me, as I see it as a negative description by those with belief.

You know, I actually envy people with belief. My Gran, on her deathbed, was content because she was going to meet again soon with my Granddad, my Dad, her sisters etc. She really believed that, making the final curtain that much less traumatic. When my time comes, all I have to look forward to is

I have officially joined The Church of The Flying Spaghetti Monster, but that was because I do some work for the government and they survey the population make up of those who work for them, some forms include asking your religion. No surprises then that I reckon being a Pastafarian is better than being an atheist....

Sadly, if something is said in terms of religious interpretation, it is held by some as being true, despite evidence to the contrary. That is the, if you like, tangible issue I have. As a scientist, (my PhD is in physics) I am used to holding a stance or belief but dismiss it out of hand when evidence is shown to demonstrate it no longer holds.   For many people, proof denies faith and that just about wraps up the reason and logic in threads such as this one.

Akenaton has just tried saying that incest has less health risks than homosexuality. The only thing missing in that is proof, as there is none. But stupid statements such as that fit in with his / her / its awful views on life, so say it often enough and there are enough shallow idiots to believe it, or at least print it in their newspaper.....

Come to think about it... defending incest... Ok, it all comes clear now. the lack of logic, the irrational stances, the grudge, the fast replies, (that extra finger comes in handy when typing eh?)