'Steve said recently that there is plenty of evidence for religion, but he did not specify Christianity."

Yes Keith, this one keeps on popping up, doesn't it? Well let's look at a few examples of the evidence for religion:

Every town and village hereabouts has a church, a chapel or both.

In less rural areas than mine, and I know many, I see duomos, basilicas, parish churches, synagogues, mosques, cemeteries full of crosses, shrines and wayside pulpits.

When I turn on the radio or telly, I get Thought For The Day, Choral Evensong, The Morning Service, the Pope's Easter blessing, festivals of carols and Songs Of Praise.

When I read the papers, I read about all those clerics in the Lords and I read articles by Giles Fraser and all the rest.

Once a month I get a visit from my dear friend the local Jehovah's Witness (he knows he'll get nowhere with me but we always have a really good chat and I always read Watchtower and Awake!)

Now I think we have something there, Keith. Let's call it "religion." Of course, as I'm a scientist, I don't expect you to accept all this evidence that religion occurs without challenge. On this occasion, however, I respectfully request that you take your challenge elsewhere.