Burden of Proof

[Surtr]

People slaughter each other over lots of things but when someone looks at the causes without bias there are very few wars where religion was the prime cause. Not justifying war for any cause with that statement.

"There have been more wars not about religion than wars about religion, therefore the millions of people who have died in the name of religion don't matter."

Religion must have had some value both to individuals and society as otherwise it would never have evolved or have become extinct as a function surely long before now. What that value was and is can be discussed.

That time has come now. There are finally reasonable explanations for things other than "my god dun it" "no mine did".

Likewise with government ; individuals cannot ignore their religious beliefs and will form their opinions based on this and other factors but on taking the post they have to balance their personal opinions with their role as representing the electorate in relation to the issue being discussed and the application in practice in government but they should have no direct part to play in government itself.

I didn't mean personal beliefs contributing to political opinions. I mean politicians advocating intelligent design and throwing around the word god like it has no meaning. I mean like Bush's statement that atheists should not be considered citizens. I mean people claiming this country was founded under Christian values.