If I believed in miracles, I would pray that his wife would give birth to a black child.

[Daphne – Well, let’s put it this way. If he didn’t have a disabled daughter himself, he would probably be against disabled people too, which is the usual ideology of far-right politicians. But then, perhaps not. I do think the daughter has lots to do with it, though.]

“I personally think most Atheist become great believers when they mature. Seen it too many times and I, myself, passed in a way through it”.

Probably the “atheists” you knew were just passing through a rebellous phase. My atheism has nothing to do with rebellion.

“one needs to understand a bit on who authored the various (inspired) books compiled together in the Bible and the context they were written in”.

I will give you that. That is why I believe that most of the Old Testament (at least) should not be taken as literal historical fact. That is why I believe that if god really existed, he did not order genocide, approve of slavery and prostitution, turn a pious woman into a pillar of salt, etc, etc. At least, not if “He” is benevolent.

“In addition to this, as a Catholic, I have been raised and thought that the Old Testament is – to simplify it – a historical account more than a basis of our dogma”.

But I gather that you don’t believe it is a historical account anymore. Correct me if I’m wrong.

“If it were solely up to me, I would have a Catholic Bible with just the New Testament (and to be more extreme minus the letters of Paul which have complicated and diluted our religion too much)”.

But that would create a big problem, I think. Would that not eliminate the whole prophecy of Christ’s coming to earth?

Regarding your point about atheists becoming great believers when they mature, I would love to see statistics on that. I’m not doubting or saying you are wrong, I’m seriously interested to see if there are any studies done on how religious tendences progress with age.

Anyway, going on to your comments regarding the God of the Old and the New Testament. Let me start of by stating that God is one and one needs to understand a bit on who authored the various (inspired) books compiled together in the Bible and the context they were written in.

In addition to this, as a Catholic, I have been raised and thought that the Old Testament is – to simplify it – a historical account more than a basis of our dogma. Our Catholic dogma comes in large part from the New Testament.

If it were solely up to me, I would have a Catholic Bible with just the New Testament (and to be more extreme minus the letters of Paul which have complicated and diluted our religion too much).

The “trick” is to acknowledge the following:

1. We are all the products of genes and environment. This means recognising that some people (including perhaps myself) can’t help being and thinking the way we are and do.

2. Education is progressive. Nobody knows everything and nobody knows nothing. This also means that nobody is always right and nobody is always wrong.

3. We should never take anything or anyone for-granted. It is always important to hear the “opponent” out before passing judgement. It also includes never assuming anything about anybody.

Of course, everybody (including myself) is fallible and makes mistakes. The important thing is that one recognises one’s mistakes and corrects them. This, of course, cannot take place unless we test truth by means of the evaluation of different opinions, and testing the opinions to see if they conform to the available facts.

I would not expect anyone to agree with everything I say. Only an easily persuaded and submissive person would.

“Would the Labour Party have championed or paraded on its television station a married heterosexual man with children who played the family man in public and who then spent his nights cruising Gzira for pubescent girls to take back to his office for a shag[…]”

Wasn’t it guys he cruised for, Daphne?

[Daphne – Yes. I was just drawing a comparison. Apparently, it’s OK to behave in a certain way when you’re gay, but not OK to behave the same way when you’re not – even though a straight married man trawling through the red light district for girls is a whole lot less hypocritical than a gay married married to a woman, with a family, maintaining a false image, and cruising for boys at night. And those who criticise people like Alfie Rizzo and the ones who ‘protected’ him get accused of homophobia – when it’s not his sexuality that we’re speaking about, but his behaviour.]

I like your logical and respectful arguments…even though I don’t always agree with what you say.

You’d make a good politician :)

Further to my comment above, it is ironic that you ask me to do “objective” research when your screen name denotes an obvious bias.

Perhaps you should note that I was raised a Catholic and only in my adult years (through objective research) I became an atheist. This, of course, does not stop me from reading and knowing the bible more than most Catholics.

It would also help if you clarified exactly what it is that I said that prompted you to give the reply you gave. Were you perhaps referring to the Great Flood story? In that case, do you seriously believe that a benevolent god would kill everyone except one family (killing also children and babies)? Further, would an omniscient god realise his mistake (omniscients do not make mistakes, even though the Old Testament tells us – surprisingly – that god regretted his actions), and make a new pact?