>>I'm beginning to get worried here: am I really the only atheist on the list?? Colin, I know you're no fan of organized religion, but you believe in a higher power. I don't, or at least I'm agnostic regarding that. I wouldn't want to say that everything we see is all that exists. But I also find a belief in god (in any traditional sense) as basically superstition.<< Hi Sarah, you are not alone. I am an atheist, as is well known here, and there are many more I suspect. It's just not a thing that people come out with and say because it is generally not pertinent to the discussion per se. My atheism is unrelated to my political/religious views on Northern Ireland/Six Counties (protestant/catholic), to Palestine/Israel (muslim/jewish) and certainly not to wider political issues (right/left). All of this means that I believe my atheist views 'work' for me and I accept that other people's religious views 'work' for them. I do not have the least problem with people worshipping or believing or practicing their religion. It's their right and their lives. I suppose other possible atheists here on the list may feel like I do and not feel the need to declare their views. Maybe they'll come out and maybe they won't. No big deal either way. Sorry if you feel alone, or worried. You are not, so don't. mike in barcelona
PS good to read that you propose some solutions rather than just indulging in name calling and 'you it it first', something that I am occasionally guilty of, as are some others here. I do not think all your proposals are likely to work or even logical but they may have the basis of something to work on. Thanks for sending them.
