to believe that beyond all reasonable doubt

[OurBetty]

there is no god?

I like the idea of a 'Higher power'. That can be whatever you want it to be so long as it brings you comfort

Yes, of course there are many questions unanswered by science and there always will be, surely. Religion and science have nothing in common though!

Yes some find comfort in religion, but that doesn't prove that god exists. It means that possibly vulnerable people are susceptible to suggestion.

I'm confused by Intelligent Design, but it sounds interesting. I've just heard it described as neo-Creationism and theist which rings alarm bells for me! I'll have a read-up about that.

If you don't believe in God, or are of no religeon, (agnostic, 'spiritual' etc) please do remember to mark this on the census form. Unless you are heard information taken will be used to fund faith schools and other religeous institutions.

www.humanism.org.uk/news/view/760

It was looking at my form (another crazy Saturday Night at Betty's!) that triggered my post, LoveLeonardCohen. It also makes me wonder about the stats previously quoted about the percentage of religious people worldwide.

I don't believe there is a God, though I respect that people do believe.

I do, however find it much easier to believe that there are aliens- not 'little green men' 1950s b-movie type aliens in silver suits and flying saucers, but almost certainly intelligent life in some form in other galaxies. In a universe as vast as this, it would seem more preposterous that we should be the only planet with intelligent life.

When you look into someones eyes and see their soul

You see the beginnings of God

Remember you ARE a Soul and you Have a body

Sugarpastefrog - I totally agree with you and support the seperation of church and the state as they do in America and France. I think it is quite antiquated actually that we have faith schools. Surely in a forward thinking, modern, democratic society separation is not only necessary but a logical step. And those parents who suddenly start attending church to get their DCs into the local catholic or church school actaully just make a mockery of 'faith' and 'belief' in God. Surely the preist or vicar (or whoever they are) must know that parents do this. I guess they just want people through the door.

No I don't see their soul.

I don't see the beginnings of God.

No I am not a soul.

Next!

I agree about the separation too.

This week I had a letter about council tax which said (not a direct quote - don't know where the form is) that you are entitled to a reduction if you're a member of a religious group. Why??

SugarPasteFrog, it's frightening.

I wonder what the financial gain for the churches is. Big bucks, I bet!

AND......I just cannot stand that some religious types actually dispute evolution and think the world began 5000 years ago. I would never want my DCs to go to a school where they were taught superstition and fairy tales like that. Or to be raised and taught in a religion which harbours and protects paedophiles and teaches that contraception is sinful in AIDS stricken Africa.

BUT I do respect and perhaps envy a little that the church or religion can foster a sense of community. I often wonder what is the secular version of community is in this modern world.

Same here. SugarPasteFrog - I was in a faith school. It was our local school, so it made sense.

My mum's been a religious studies teacher for forty years and she's an atheist. You don't need to believe it to be able to teach it, as with any other historical or cultural study.

Our Betty you mean you have never looked into anyones eyes and seen the light that shines within

'Light of the world come unto me love is the answer'

Mmmm just catching up with some posts here. I didn't go to a catholic school so actually I don't really know what they teach...unlike you SugarPasteFrog. I guess I am just venting in general about the existence of faith schools...will stop ranting now

Humans have always been spiritual beings, we are utterly unique as far as we know in the animal kingdom - always wondering and marvelling at existence.

We have always thought ontologically. Our wondrousness at the world singles us out and we seek to explain it.

We can't explain this world so amazing so we create or believe in a creator.

Beesima, that's what eyes look like. They're shiney things.

Laurie we do a lot of things that other species don't.

It's also pure speculation that we're alone in contemplating our existence.

We can't explain it, so we believe in a creator? But I thought we couldn't explain it? So therefore we can't possibly believe in a creator?