""What exactly is wrong with offering a person a carrot and a stick if it is done with a positive intent? We do it all the time with our own children when we're bringing them up.

What Don T. appears to be ojecting to is the very idea OF organized religion per se, rather than the concept of the carrot and the stick. ""

Where exactly did you get that idea from anything I have said LH.

I don't object to religion, organised or chaotic. I simply don't feel the need for it.

Like Kendall, I am a Deist. My communications with God are my own affair, private, and I have no neede of men in black frocks, Turbans, or skull caps to tell me how to reach him.

I have somewhat less than no interest in how other people communicate with him, providing only that they do not try to force their way on me, or teach children their beliefs as science.

I gave my reasons for ditching Catholicism without suggesting or implying that anybody else should follow my example.

I hope that is now abundantly clear!!

As to stick and carrot, there is nothing in the least wrong with a system which offers punishment and reward, and I don't believe that I implied otherwise.

I simply stated what heaven and hell amount to in real and simple terms.

Knowing how you feel about having your words misinterpreted, perhaps you might accord me the right to the same feelings.

Don T.