Several recent threads have dealt with controversial subjects and remained quite civil. I think Mudcat has learned how to deal with silliness pretty well in the last year.

I'm not a believer Khandu, but like you, I've asked questions, and enjoyed discussions about beliefs all my adult life. I have theories and suppositions, and on some occasions have felt comfortable with answers given by others.

Used to have a friend who was a Jesuit. One of the most interesting people I've ever met, and he had as many questions as answers.

Religion (just like sex and politics) has been MADE into a mainstream issue these days, by TV, radio, the Net, and especially by it's current association with politics (especialy in North America). My dad's generation didn't do much open discussing of ANY of those topics, but the floodgates were opened in the sixties. At least around here, you may still get dumped on for questioning someone's dogma, (or defending it) but we've gotten rid of the stocks and the lash.

Rick