Guest Pete, Stalin as atheist was an anomaly. He was one in say maybe thousands or even a million. Besides, Communism can be defined as kind of a "religion". And Stalin as a young person had a theological and clerical background. This helped him in becoming a "god".

As to the issue of abortion being "painful" particularly to the fetus at the beginning stages,
prove it scientifically.

Ebbie, rigid materialists do not exist. What you call "rigid materialists" are those who don't accept spiritism or theological otherworldlyness and they are just as capable (if not more so) of nuance and depth. This statement not only doesn't add up but is an intolerant assessment.

As for the exalted "experience" of those who believe, much of this is responsible for wars and devastation in the name of their belief. Bush "experienced" us into Iraq. Bush would have probably referred to his "experience" as "spiritual gifts".

Those who claim "spiritual gifts" as if they were some exalted and privileged few are perpetrating a kind of hoax. This kind of otherworldly superiority is offensive.

Jack, to compare abortion to capital punishment is specious. It's the anti-choice line of propaganda today.