大象传媒

PAKISTAN: IS DEMOCRACY POSSIBLE?

Yesterday, Muhammad Asim Munir in Gujranwala sent us this email, comparing Pakistan to Burma:

"My question to WHYS is, "Why do you avoid calling Musharraf a dictator, whereas the same thing is happening in Pakistan as what is being done by the regime in Burma?"

He goes on to say that the double standards by democratic countries towards General Musharraf 'boils the minds of common people' in Pakistan. I've just heard our newsroom announce that corruption charges against former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto have been dropped. Add to that the news that a new army chief has been announced -- does it mean General Musharraf is about to step down as military leader? If he does, will it mean Pakistan is a democracy?

Pakistan's election is on Saturday... and it's going to be ugly whichever way you look at it. Over the weekend, protestors were beaten up by riot police. Today, 86 opposition politicians resigned.

If you're in Pakistan-- do you plan to vote? What would you say to President/General Musharraf if you had the chance? Does the rest of the world have double standards when it comes to Pakistan? Is democracy possible there?

A plea: If you're taking the trouble to articulate your views, why not share them with the rest of World Have Your Say's listeners by coming on air? It's only a global conversation if you add your voice to it. Please include your telephone number when you post below (We'll remove it before we publish your comment... and I promise it doesn't go beyond the small World Have Your Say team).

Bye for now,
Anu

HERE ARE THE COMMENTS YOU EMAILED TO US DURING THE PROGRAMME...THERE WAS A HUGE RESPONSE...AND VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE MANAGED TO POST COMMENTS (HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE FIXED SOON!)

Chester - Lusaka, Zambia

There is not much difference between Richard Dawkins and the Taleban.
Both are extremists and intolerant of beliefs.

Ken in Cleveland

i was raised to be a free thinker and chose atheism nearly 20 years ago. When people learned of my godless ideology, I was constantly berated by Christians trying to shame or convert me. Because of the way I was treated by my peers and adults, I do feel it is abusive to force children into a faith. Religious upbringing fosters intolerance and fear at an early age.

Michael

I have grown up all my life in a Christian family where strong Christian values have been instilled in us and I still think that God exists. However, I think that the world would be a better off place off place if there were no religions. For some religions such as the born again movement around the world which has its roots in America, they have taken this as a chance to make a quick buck out of their unsuspecting and desperate followers. In Uganda, a few months back, all there was in the media were stories of how "pastors" weree fleecing their followers. I think, we should also let children grow up and decide on whether they want to have religion in their lives for themselves and not force them to have religion in their lives, which is like brainwashing a person right from childhood. Besides, which is the right religion?

Isabelle - Belgium

I happen to be an atheist. I grew up in a vaguely traditional family who sent me to a religious school but as far as my memory can go, I never believed in the existence of one or several Gods. I never believed some kind of superior creature(s) who created the universe.

Yet what has always seemed pretty weird and dangerous to me is to believe that superior creature also handed us the 鈥渋nstructions for use鈥�.

The Bible, the Gospel, the Coran, the Bagavat G卯ta鈥� those are all interesting writings, but I find it immensely dangerous to consider them absolute truth and interpret them literally. To me those texts are mythologies, just like the Greek mythology, full of parables and metaphors, with a wide philosophical reach. But they were written by human beings for human beings. Full stop.

I have the intimate conviction that a world without religions would be a better place. Yet on the other hand, the worse totalitarian regimes of the 20th century were atheistic鈥�

I personally consider religion as a perfectly private matter that should in no way interfere with our public life. Therefore, I am very much in favour of the French view on secularism as being a safeguard of what is often called 鈥渓e vivre-ensemble鈥�, the living together, especially in our modern and complex multicultural society. And when I use the word 鈥渃omplex鈥� that is absolutely not negative, on the contrary, the more complex society get, the more it reflects the complexity of the human being.

My personal bible 鈥� which I do consider as 鈥渉oly鈥� only in the sense that it represents to me the foundation of a moral and just society 鈥� is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Kate - Portland, Oregon

Here are two quotes written in the late 1800's by the famous agnostic, Robert Ingersoll, who speaks my heart when he says:
"I beg of you not to pollute the soul of childhood...by preaching a creed that should be shrieked in a madhouse"...
"I have no confidence in any religion that can be demonstrated only to children."

Kent - Iowa (US)

This is certainly an interesting question. I could probably write an entire essay on this topic alone.

The most interesting thing to me is what would the world be like without religion. To try to answer this question, I'm forced to think of all the things that were done because of religion or "in the name of god" Here's a few things I could think of for a world with no history of religion:

No Iraq War
No 9/11
No WWII
No Holocaust
No United States of America
No Greek, Roman, or Norse mythology
No pyramids.
No expressions of frustration (i.e. god @#$% it)

To think about all the things we wouldn't have because of no religion is quite a task indeed but I absolutely love this question. Its one for the philosophers.

Stephen Clark, Leeds, UK.

Looking back at the 20th Century and perhaps the whole of known history, the three greatest causes of mass death have not been religeous but athiestic. I am refering to the Nazi regime, Satlin's communist purges and Mao's social experiments. Individually these athiestic regimes have killed many millions of people and in total are responsible for 10's of millions of deaths. Religeous wars do not even compare in scale.

Jade Rodgers,

Atheism is an irrational stance. It is a universal negative, there is no possible way that anyone could ever prove there is no God. To know there is no God you would have to know everything about the universe which would make you omnipotent which would make you God.

Rachel P

Elaine made the point that it doesn't matter whether or not we have religion if we all live with "good" morals. However, without the framework of religion, how does one know what is "right" and what is "wrong." Or, what is "good" or "bad." Religion lays down an absolute morality that dictates the way its practitioners feel about it. Left with a relative morality, or more problimatically, an absolute morality originating from an unknown place (or onesself), what then?

Where does this sense of "right" and "wrong" really come if not from "on high?"

Jennifer Bannister

Children should be brought up in the religin of their parents, to take that right away is atrocious just like it would be atrocious for an athiest children's to be brought up forcefully as any religion. I completely understand why athiests are anti religion, when I as a child I went to a once church who said the preachers were the only people in the world who can save people in the sunday school. It was a horrible experience and when I told my parents we stopped going. I don't confuse what happened to me as a child with the greatness and compassion. You atttack all religion, but athiests mainly attack Christianity because they grew up with it and fear it.

With religion, the matter is grace. the one reason many people disregard athiest is there lack of feeling of divine grace and if you have experienced divine grace it is unfathomable that other people haven't. and yes they do seem monsterous.

Athiests are deliberately offense often despite their supposed indifference. Its no wonder they are disregarded and attacked verbally. dThey attack the faith of billions of people as a lie. If that's not offensive I don't know what is.

Steve, USA

Though I consider myself an agnostic now, I was born Jewish, and I cannot tell you how many times when I was in grade school I was told by christian kids that I was going to hell when I died.

Steve, USA

The funniest thing when I think about religion, is how many of the religions have the childish approach of "I'm right and everyone and everyone else is wrong, and you're so wrong that in fact you will go to hell for eternity". If you think about it, Jews, Muslims and Christians worship the Same God. The christians think the others are going to hell, and within christianity, apparently catholics think all other christians go to hell. Why on Earth would God, if it exists, would make things so complicated? IF every religion thinks it's the right one, and everyone else is wrong, only one could be right, and many will be wrong. Couldn't God, if he's so powerful, clarify things a little? And another question for religious people, can God create a stone he cannot lift?

Ian, Seattle

Why believe in any religion or sect if they all preach acceptance? It just negates your views if you accept that others views are right too.

Dean Salvadore

The believers and disbelievers know NOT what they do or do not believe. They have no concept and no frame of reference. Remember, that anyone who claims to know is a fool just for saying so. It is long held that which is sought ceases to exist once identified.

Jon Kiparsky, Oregon

There seems to be remarkable agreement among all parties on your program today. All agree that religion, Christianity in particular, is a problem if and only if one believes in it. This is progress.

Jade Rogers

Atheism is a form of religion to, it is based on the faith that there is no God. Atheists also try to convert people to their point of view, and are not tolerant of anyone who does not believe what they believe.

Wrongs will happen inside and outside of religion but I believe more happens outside of religion because those who don't believe in God have no standards to try to live up to. I do believe in the virgin birth, the resurrection of Christ and in the 7 day creation and I believe that there is proof of all of these events, I also believe in heaven and hell.

Tom Ford, US

Religion is the first Great Lie taught to children. It is a boot camp for training people to believe propaganda by government authorities, without question.

I have come to realize that Religion is child abuse in that it trains them to be subservient to Authority instead of standing up for their Unalienable Human Rights and Freedoms.

If you reduce religion to it's basic core, a belief in some supernatural being, everything else about religion is manmade, and available to non-believers; morals, justice, Golden Rule, etc. Religion is not needed!

Scott Millar, Portland

If god does exist he certainly isn't the god any religions worship. Because he/she clearly isn't listening to religious people. How could this god listen to Jews and Christians and Muslims repeatedly asking this god to help them battle the other religions. Muslim soldiers praying, Jewish soldiers praying, christian soldiers praying - all to defeat each other.

It is embarrassing we even have to discuss this and that such a high percentage of the world believes in something so fundamentally ludicrous as religion. This is the biggest con ever perpetuated on humanity. If any company or individual was making the claims that religions make they would be jailed or at the very least investigated.

Anne

The Human mind and heart desire meaning above and beyond the daily grind.
To truly believe in a God or Force that made the Universe Is to believe that we are more then dust on the planet's face.
That we can do better in our lives then act like jackels.

I have KNOWN families of children Carefully raised with no religious education at all.
So that they could decide when they were old enough, what to believe.
And EVERY one of those poor souls ended up spending years wandering from one predatory cult to another, desperately seeking SOMETHING that gave their life a larger meaning.
You have to give children SOMETHING, just so they have a starting place to rebel from.

And my only question to ask is this, Why do Muslims fear and hate women so much?
Why does EVERY organized religion begin it's work with subjugating women and trying to make them faceless soul-less slaves?

TeriAnne Kruse, Oregon, USA

Children have to be exposed to all types of religion to learn to not be afraid of different religions. It seems that many of the large conflicts in the world start with religious leaders that use ignorance and fear to promote their agendas. Without the ignorance and fear the extremists won't have the power they have now. Whether the religion is Judaism, Muslim, Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. . . those that teach only one religion are guilty of promoting fear and ignorance.

My children's school taught comparative religions pointing out the good and bad of many religions including the good and bad of Catholicism, even though it was a Catholic school. My girls came out with an attitude of acceptance that was greater than most of their peers.

Nancy, Oregon, USA

I haven't heard you mention the question of an afterlife. It seems that if you believe there is some sort of life after death, spiritual beliefs and religion take on more importance. If you believe this life is it, then really athiests have it right: live the way that makes you feel good about your life.

Chris Bartolini

Morality without God? Yes it's called the "law".

L in USA

The Golden Rule rules!
For me, as a child, learning the golden rule was a revelation that was desperately needed
to heal the wounds of the world: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you..."

It was the most exciting single idea I had ever learned, and it actually gave me immense comfort, for
it seemed to be an answer to all the conflicts in the world.
It is so incredibly wise, so true, and yet too rare...

I believe that most all major religions have their version of the Golden Rule, but how much it
is truly practiced is questionable.

I went to a Quaker school from kindergarten through 3rd grade, and we were taught that all
other peoples and their religions are amazing and deserve respect, and that diversity is interesting
and creative. We were taught to have reverence for all peoples of the world.

Quakerism is very misunderstood. It is very different from being Amish. It is a religion that evolved
as spiritual solutions to the conflicts and misunderstandings caused by other religions.

Will Ferguson, Michigan, USA

What I don't get is: Since when is it a "tennent" of Christianity, especially, but any religeon really, to CONVERT? I read the Bible, and find nowhere in it the precept of Conversion, or the mission to "convert."
I see Informing, spreading the "good news," telling forth the gospel of the Christ, etc. but CONVERSION? Nope. Don't see it, and don't like it. I am an adult, and have, presumably, already made up my own mind, and I don't need ANYBODY involved in that.
As for children, I think the same thing, i.e. TEACH them about all, or most, or even just more than what you personally believe, and teach them HOW to make, and then to make, an informed decision, as it pertains to themselves.
Atheists would go a ong long way if they would quit saying the "God doesn't exist," and start saying "I -- I -- don't happen to believe in God. At least: not YOUR God."

Joey Givan, Colorado, USA

This is a huge topic, that is very relevant to today's globally shaped world. My only suggestion is that if one spends 2-3 days of doing conversations/programs about Burma, this topic needs about 2-3 weeks of well thought out guests, and scheduling that allows some kind of sensible plan or debate to be thought about.
Looking forward to something more coherent in the future!

Ayo in USA

Not take kids to school because they cant understand the theological concepts???!!!! How about not sending them to school because apart from them not even liking school, the concepts presented in school are not easy??? By the way, why not ban compulsory education because educated people have done the world wrong in so many ways, Enron officials, politicians etc鈥�. Why not raise the children to decide when they want to and if they ever want to go to school???

Shelly, Oregon, USA

Frankly, I've noticed that all the Abrahamic religions charge a fee to get help, consult, or associate with them - and this cost is your soul. The more I associate with them the more I see them doing all the things they accuse of "satan" doing - everything has it's price. While I understand that there are those that need such controls in their lives, not all of us need a "great white father" to tell us how to live compassionate lives. In fact, I've noticed that their compassion is limited to their own religion. I am spiritual - but not religious - and Daoism is making more sense the older I get.

The Abrahamic faiths believe in a heaven - yet are the most fearful of death. They are terrified of death - yet it is supposed to be the ultimate goal. Children are raised in fear and terrified by their religous leaders when confronted by someone who doesn't follow their "rules".

I am dying of a rare cancer - yet am content with the years I have had and do not fear death. It is just another part of living. Notice, it is the non-abrahamic faiths that accept all others religious paths and wish they would give us the same freedom.

Steve in USA

I do really agree with the child abuse comment. The most religious people I know were seriously messed up with their indoctrination at church or by their parents, and they develop, serious, serious, serious issues, especially sexual issues. I don't think the caller literally meant they physically abuse their kids, but the indoctrination leads to mental problems which technically is psychological abuse. Though of course, religious or non religious people could be child abusers. A close friend of mine's mother was raised by a religious fundamentalist, the very judgmental type, and he would sexually abuse all of his daughters. The mother knew, but did nothing. The father is now dead, but the mother is still alive, and preaches to her grandkids about sinners, and immoral behaviours, meanwhile her religious fanatic husband would rape his daughters and she did nothing about it. If there is a hell, I really hope she and her dead husband go there, and I have told my fiend that I hope his grandmother goes to hell, and he says he hopes that too.
He of course is an anthiest, because he despised the hypocrisy he saw from religious people.

Melissa Dow, Seattle, USA

If a parent is not properly grounded in their own belief system (whatever it may be), that is, so secure that it is not necessary to discourage curiosity and questioning - then I could imagine that if a child comes to that parent with questions, the insecure parent might cling to religion (or whatever belief system) in order to fend off what they have not yet clarified for themselves.

Max Lent, Upstate NY, USA

Spirituality is an essential to humans. Religion exploits our need for spiritual awareness by imposing dogma. Religious dogma is a mental disease that is curable. Religious dogma results in hate, wars, treating women as second class citizens. Religions are abusive to its followers and others.

It is possible to be spiritual without religious dogma.

Steve Coral, USA

Do those that believe in God also believe in the toothfairy, santa claus, or any other fictional character written in a book?

Sunny, Singapore

I am a believer of god although I disagree with the definition of "god" that several religious people I have met believe in.
To address the topic in discussion, I believe that religions by themselves has never been a problem for mankind, but institutionalisation of religions have caused all the negative thinking that we have about other people or people of other faiths.

Ronald, Philippines,

I believe that it is important to recognize a God that created us, for us to realize how limited our lives are, and for us to live our limited lives in best possible way. And religion is necessary to facilitate it, because we need to realize that we share this world with other people.

As a child, religion and belief in God gives a foundation on how to make good decisions to what to do with their lives, which also includes their dreams and ambitions in the future.

In my personal experience, I believe that religion is a personal dialogue with God. As I was growing up, a lot of times I began to question faith and the God to some point however personal experiences had drawn me more to be believe in His existence. My parents brought me up with freedom of choice, and I choose to believe because I see God in my own personal experiences. I think that atheists would also choose to believe when it comes to the point that God touches their own personal lives.

TLH

Religions should be taught in schools as part of sociology and history without prejudice or preference toward any religion.

Parents should instill their values, including religious values, in their children through daily life and actions.

opinion from a seeker, not a believer.

I am too moral to belong to one religion!

Spirituality and morality are fundamentally human, and not religious dynamics. Religions are
written out belief systems about these dynamics.

Tom Ford, Oregon, USA

The three ways of lying are Deletions, Distortions, and Generalizations, and your Religionists are using all of them.

Ato Biney, Ghana

I can't imagine what would happen if there were no religion at all! Even there are numerous confessions of faith toward a divine authority who is seemingly watching and ready to mete out punishment there is rampant disregard for human life, nature, etc. It is important therefore to instill in children the sense of love for humanity. It is only way we can raise a responsible generation. Whether we bring the children in a religious way or not they grow to practice because religion is innate!

MK Ko

1) Bringing children up without religion in the home would effectively sound a death knell for all organized religions. The phrase 'until they are old enough to decide for themselves' is a veiled attempt to make total destruction of religion more palatable.

While it may be true that religion appears to have caused many wars, and countless acts of violence, I personally believe that these acts would occur anyway. Religion has been used as a proxy for other disputes, much more rooted in tribal, racial, or ethnic conflicts. People have always seen those that they feel connected to, be it by tribal ties or religious ties, or other bonds, are somehow 'More Human' than those they feel unconnected to.

In a purely practical sense, true isolation from religion is impossible. An understanding of all religions, in the very least an academic one, is absolutely necessary to understand most of history.

As a person who was raised in a Catholic house, and who went to both Catholic and public schools, I believe there is a clear and obvious difference between those educated by purely secular means, and those raised in a religious background. The people I went to Jesuit High School with were some of the most accepting and caring people I have ever met.

That aside, religion provides, to many people, a clear framework within which to set their moral values. Not everyone is capable of making the right moral decision simply because it is right. There are many many people in the world who still base their actions of lower level principles, such as punishment and reward, or law and order. See for more information.
Basically, I believe that people are naturally hateful, bigoted and violent. Religion has been attempting to change this for many years, but not even religious leadership is perfect. Many religious leaders fall prey to the same human weaknesses that we all have. Many others abuse the trust people have of religion for their own personal gain. That said, just because the execution is poorly carried out does not necessarily make the goals and beliefs wrong.

Whether or not God exists, and I do have not fully decided that for myself, religion has had an overall positive effect on human life. I certainly that athiest fundamentalists can be just as damaging as other religious zealots.

Bradley Zane, California, USA

I am amazed at the number of people who choose to emerge them self in superstition then find fault with others who find faith in either other superstitions or choose to ignore religion entirely.

As well the concept of religious schools alarms me. As an analogy, other then as a reference of conceptual development, I would find it astounding to discover a school teaching my child that the world is flat.

Worse, in the US religion has become a political movement, often attacking religious groups that remain secular. Witness the Government threats against a church in Los Angeles which preached against the war.

Sam Horwich, Brooklyn, USA

Religion is a far reaching phenomenon. While it is used for much evil, it helps people on a daily basis. The silent majority uses religion for comfort, and why shouldnt they?

Scott Millar, Oregon, USA

If atheists have fervor it is because they are such a small minority against such an enormous repressive majority. This certainly is not evidence nor can it be inferred from this "fervor" that atheists are fundamentalists. It is like saying people trying to stop racism are fundamentalists, because they have fervor!!! How stupid.

Chris, Seattle, USA

Atheists may be their own form of religion and certainly there are those who are fanatic about it, however it is the only 'religion' who can back up its beliefs by centuries of hard earned scientific knowledge, other religions purely are basing their theories around the teachings of only a few ancient men with no concrete basis for their teachings.

Stephen Reynolds, Oregon, USA

To hold that children should be reared without religion, so that they can decide for themselves when they become old enough (and just when is that?) whether to adhere to a religion, and if so to which one, makes every bit as much sense as to hold that they should be raised without learning to speak, so that when they become old enough they can decide whether they want to speak, and if so in which language.

Mithril

Children should certainly be taught objectively about your religion. However, you should not sugar coat it with fair tales an lies in order to get them to accept it. for instance, telling them they should be nice in order to receive presents on Christmas from Satan Clause is a brain washing technique. it develops acceptable feelings by association.

Janice Schulwitz, Oregon, USA

As a Christian, making a decision to accept Jesus Christ is considered to be the most important decision of one's life. As such, as a Christian mother of four, it was very important for me to share the gift of Jesus Christ with my children, just as it was important to have them be educated (they attend public school). God does not force Himself upon anyone; it is up to each person to accept or reject Him.

It might be interesting for your atheist listeners to read Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ. Mr. Strobel was an award-winning reporter for the Chicago Tribune, educated at Yale, and an avowed atheist when he first investigated Jesus Christ. He asked tough questions and did systematic research on historical, scientific, and psychiatric evidence. He ended up finding compelling evidence for the claims of Christianity.

Your atheist speaker seems to put down religion as a whole due to the immoral acts of some individuals who claim that faith. The truth is that all of us are sinners and that is why Christ died for our sins. This does not mean we advocate or encourage sin, only that we have received grace.

Colin,

Atheism seems to have become yet another religion. That is the firm belief that there is no God is pretty much the same as believing there is, neither can be proved scientifically or otherwise. Surely would it not be better to believe that anything is possible and therefore open your mind to that fact. Richard Dawkins it seems to me treats science as his particular God and he, like most prominent scientists, trusts it to answer questions he has asked himself. It is true that most wars are rooted in religion and science provides the tools for them to cause massive death and destruction.

Steve, USA

The funniest thing when I think about religion, is how many of the religions have the childish approach of "I'm right and everyone and everyone else is wrong, and you're so wrong that in fact you will go to hell for eternity". If you think about it, Jews, Muslims and Christians worship the Same God. The christians think the others are going to hell, and within christianity, apparently catholics think all other christians go to hell. Why on Earth would God, if it exists, would make things so complicated? IF every religion thinks it's the right one, and everyone else is wrong, only one could be right, and many will be wrong. Couldn't God, if he's so powerful, clarify things a little? And another question for religious people, can God create a stone he cannot lift?

Jack, USA

Religion is dangerous. True believers in the major religions think this life is a dress rehearsal for the "Real Life" that is to follow. As a result there is no real incentive for them to overcome the injustices of this world, to improve thier own lives, or to protect the environment. As an athiest, I know that this life is all I get, one brief flash of sentience in an eternity of uncaring darkness, and I resent having to share my one chance with people who think it does not matter.

I attended Catholic high school and know the Bible better than most believers, just as I know Zeus's parentage, and the way Mithras killed the solar bull.
None of these fairy stories have made me a better person. Religion has outlived its usefulness and it is time for humanity to shake off these vestiges of its collective.

Adrian, Israel

Yes religion has caused some of humanities greatest pains. It has also caused some of humanities great achievements.

However I do believe there has to be more. Where did god come from? We are trained to believe all things come from something, if so again where did god come from..

Adil, Washington DC

There is nothing wrong with religion. The problems that one of your guess has said, is that Religion has been used a political tool to divide people. There is not difference between a Hindu or a Muslim in India. But political parties in India use Religion as a tool to gain power over others. I am a Muslim and I do believe my faith is true and right. But I also respect the other beliefs. The people in power use what ever is at there hands to control that power. They will use Gods name or anything other idea at hand. But over all religion has done the world more good then bad.

Susan, Oregon

It's not religion itself that promotes war and hatred. It's intolerance under the guise of obeying a higher power. I am loathe to describe myself as Christian given the intolerance and smugness that has become associated with the term due to the religious right in the US.

If we regard Jesus of Nazareth and Buddha as avatars, we should follow the example they set rather than the words in the Bible that were written by people who may or may not have had their own agendas.

Bart, Oregon USA

As a life long athiest, I find other athiests to be more trustworthy and honest than the religios. We will never advace as a species until we treat all religions for what they are, old myths.

Jocelyn Reed, OR, USA

How it can not be obvious to anyone who has read a history text book that religion leads to war, killing, oppression and hate is beyond me. It has been obvious to me since childhood that one of the world's biggest problems is formal religion. It is unfortunate that the world can't just live by most "profits" message, be good to one another. It seems when a major religion is formed around that concept in only leads to the opposite. The world is a strange place.

Melissa, Washington state, United States

Regarding the email comment from someone in the US saying that atheists disbelieve in God so as to escape moral responsibility, that's just idiotic. How does he explain, then, all of the so-called believers who commit terrible acts of immorality, sometimes even IN THE NAME OF GOD!? That's exactly the sort of arrogance and self-righteousness that Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins and others take issue with when discussing religion. I am an atheist and am certainly NOT immoral, nor am I trying to escape his God's moral wrath. How dare ANYONE generalize me as immoral and irresponsible simply because I do not believe in God.

Jitendra Khare

Nobody has yet answered the question that has been set forth in front of the panel. I would like a straight answer from someone. Also, some of the panelists were saying that the interpretation is the cause of the problem. I don't see how anyone can get off by not interpreting the answer. Unless there is a hugh image up in the sky of a particular God, there will always be interpretation as far as I am concerned.

Brodie in the US

Religion fuels hatred and war, didn't John Lennon say something or other on the subject 20 years ago? It was true then, and it's true now. Imagine that.

anon,

religion is a necessary fantasy that should be firmly kept in the realm of adults. In other words. It has done wonders for solace, for things we don't understand. However religion like Disneyland as foundation, for understanding oneself and the world, is dangerous and does not allow a child to make the distinction between what is real and what is fiction.

Jade Rogers

Religion promotes charity, created the salvation army, and DOES NOT encourage war, but instead encourages peace and love for your neighbor.

Nathan Starr, Portland, Oregon, USA

Religion isn't going anywhere any time soon, so it's useless to discuss whether we should all be atheists. That said, it is useful to discuss how religion can be helpful and what we can do to ensure that it is a positive influence.

I agree that children should not be raised believe a particular religion unquestioningly, but also should not be completely insulated from religion. Religion is a part of society and will be for the foreseeable future, so children should be exposed to a multitude of religions. They will then be able to make informed decisions for themselves and have a frame of reference for interacting with people who practice religions that they don't.

Jenny

Secularism is our greatest protection against intolerance and bigotry. It gives us all maximum religious freedom in our private lives by keeping religion out of the public sphere. Where religious people gain power, women suffer. That reason alone is enough to make me want people to give up religions.