Nice summary, but not the evidence that most [isecular[/i societies consider homosexuality to be socially unacceptable that I requested.

All Abrahamic religions consider homosexuality to be a sin, and have done since the earliest forms of their religious texts. Hinduism and Buddhism are largely accepting or at least neutral. Sikhism is formally against homosexuality although this stance is not popular with large numbers of Sikhs. Confucianism and Taoism don't really have a position on it one way or the other. After that we're into the territory of minor religions and cults. Given the numbers of active worshippers in each faith it's fair to say that the majority of believers belong to religions that proscribe homosexual behaviour. I sincerely doubt the same can be said of secular societies.

rlAs Michael Gove backs more religious schoolrl, rlothers deny girls protection against cancer on religious grounds.rl

Thoth, I would disagree with your statement that I am not free thinking. I went to church schools all my life and was taught in science about evidence that totally went against what was being taught in RE. I took in both points of view and came to the point of view that the bible was bull as there was no proof for creationism and that there was evidence that tended to disprove it. I subsequently embarked on a career in science gaining qualifications upto PhD level. Every day I have to "think outside the box" to overcome technical problems. I am constantly reading of new theories and discoveries in my chosen field in academic literature, some of which I believe, some I don't. Over the years science advances as researchers find evidence supporting or disproving various theories they come up with. To a religious person the bible/koran/torah cannot be proven to be untrue as it is the word of their god and as such must be undeniably true, even without any proof. I believe that religious stories, used in the right context, can be very good at teaching children how to behave in a civilised society, in much the same way as Aesops fables, but Genesis, for example , should not be portrayed as an accurate description of the creation of our planet.

Although I am no expert on the bible I do know that there is something in there about it being an abomination for a man to lie with another man as he does his wife. This is where all the bigotry stems from. Personally I'm not gay and as I said earlier cannot understand why anyone who is gay would want to be in a religion that demonised their sexuality. Equally I cannot understand why a religion would condem homosexuality.

Quote: dr_feelgood "Equally I cannot understand why a religion would condem homosexuality.'" I can. Fancy using a mass murder to promote creationism. www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyat ... witterfeed

Quote: dr_feelgood "Equally I cannot understand why a religion would condem homosexuality.'" I can. Fancy using a mass murder to promote creationism. www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyat ... witterfeed

Speaking of promoting creationism, the National Trust are reviewing their decision to discuss the 'controversy' surrounding the formation of the Giant's Causeway in their teaching materials at the attraction's visitor centre. Hopefully they'll reach the correct decision and make no mention of the unfounded creationist ideas surrounding their formation.

Moron, Morons

"Peace in a world free from religion,
Peace in a world where everyone gets heaven".

A good read here newhumanist.org.uk/2841/ending-the-wedge

A good read here newhumanist.org.uk/2841/ending-the-wedge

If you want to learn richarddawkins.net/articles/6465 ... -594516097

If you want to learn richarddawkins.net/articles/6465 ... -594516097

Now, if rlthis is correctrl (via Ben Goldacre on Twitter), should he be banned as some are requesting?

A short spot of Ggogling supports the claims on use of violence.

One thing's for sure, if I ever get testicular cancer I'm not going to get that bloke to heal me.

Surely he should be kept out on the basis of his sex attack conviction

Though he did the time etc. Should you be punished all your life for something for which you have paid the legal price, particularly when done as a youth)?

Peter May, a prominent Christian GP who served for 25 years on the Church of England’s ruling General Synod, and has investigated spurious faith healers for more than 20 years, said. I would urge people to keep away from him.’

At least they got their humour.