""What amazes me, Don T, is how hard most people look around for ways to disagree, rather than looking for a means to reach an accord and a common understanding, and mutual respect.""

Putting it on a purely personal basis, I don't really give a toss what Pete or Jack the Sailor choose to believe in, be it Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, or the Cosmic Pixie, who gives a damn.

But taking your comment about looking for points of aggreement, that is exactly what I have done, and it has led me to the conclusion that, apart from belief in a Deity (I do and they don't) I find many more points of aggreement with Steve, Mike, Ian and yes, Dawkins too than with any of the Bible Literalists, Creationists, Evangelists and men who preach in Fez, Turban, skull cap, backward collar or black frock.

That might surprise some, as Dawkins would see me as subscribing to the God delusion, but you see what Dawkins thinks of me is his problem, not mine.

If that makes me a militant, it is as an individual, not a religion.

Ditto Dawkins, Steve, Ian and Mike. Individuals all!

I know that Jack feels victimised by those who don't believe in God and reject Jack's views.

His frustration with that situation is very plain, as is the extra animosity and name calling I receive as a believer who still rejects his and all other religious views.

I don't understand what it is about Atheists and non religious types like me, that is so insulting to him that he must keep picking at it like an itchy scab for months on end.

Don T.