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This website is being renovated throughout 2008.
Pages and the content of pages will continue to change until the end of the year and
there may be some inconsistencies and missing links. Please
do not quote from or link to specific pages (apart from the home page)
without contacting the webmaster first.
We define ourselves through our community, and we define our
community through religion. It is difficult for many people to
reject their faith but maintain their sense of community.
Apologies, but this section is not ready.
Some of the issues are covered in
Parsley and salt water.
The topic will be fully explored on this page in
November 2008.
Next:
Chapter Four: Section 3
Peer pressure
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The deep roots of belief
Despite reason and evidence indicating that God does not and
cannot exist, billions of people across the world continue to
worship him in one of his many forms.
Belief in God draws its strength from a wide range of sources
and provides a sense of security and wellbeing for many.
Transforming that belief into an understanding and respect for
rationality takes time and much effort.
4.1: In the genes?
Are we programmed to believe?
4.2: Community and identity
Defining ourselves through faith
4.3: Peer pressure
Go with the flow
4.4: Death and despair
There must be a better world
4.5: A sense of justice
Evildoers must be punished
4.6: Meaning
God gives us a purpose
4.7: The power and the glory
They reflect on us too
4.8: Against the tide
For natural-born rebels
4.9: Nature calling
Does God call from the mountaintops?
4.10: Pick 'n' mix
What are your reasons?
Finished this chapter? Move on to
Chapter 5
Faith in action
People create God in their own image.
What happens when they not only believe in God but put their
faith into action?
The results are predictable: good people do good things in the
name of religion and bad people do bad things. They act in
God's name but God is irrelevant.
Not sure what you're looking for?
If there's a word that you don't recognize, it might be defined
here.
If there's a topic you're looking for, check the Search box at
the top right of this page.
If there's something you want to ask, send an
e-mail.
We can't guarantee an answer, but we'll do our best.
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Email us, pasting the URL into your letter with the comment
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If God existed, he would...
admire the beauty of a universe that he did not create
recognize that eternity is meaningless
deny both heaven and hell
disown all men and women who speak in his name
denounce the harm caused by religious "morality"
help the human race to thrive without him
If God existed, he would be an atheist.
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