h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We quite obviously disagree on the faith/science thing, but that's just one aspect of the big wotsit that is life. There's much more to it, and there are many things we've probably got in common, so this is a little 'can we still be mates and stuff, despite our differences?' message.

You know, I did call in on you with a very similar message. Maybe a year or so ago.

I know that you have your own perspectives. And if you might allow me a smidge of theorizing? It's not so much how 'abrahamic' religions treat women, infidels or abortion. It's that most of Christianity sees your lifestyle as a choice, bad-bad-BAD, as opposed to biology. I know that you are a good man, with a helluva sense of humour and measures of compassion. And most days, I really enjoy seeing your posts via the INFO page. (I can't go in here and post during work hours) But your very spitey and hateful bits about anyone with a belief or faith ... They do irk me.

As I have said before, I don't have 'em, (the beliefs and faiths) but I love and respect some folks that do. And so really get a bit pissy, because I see it as an all-out attack on them. Even though you have never met them. Can you see that bit of a defence?

I really have nothing against people of faith but, as you gathered, have a problem with faith itself. Any bile has been largely directed at one person who's faith is largely irrelevant to her postings: I've called a bigot a bigot, though I do regret some of my postings which were less than considered and far from gentlemanly. For the most part I'm dismissive of faith without, I hope, being dismissive of people with faith, though I know I do regrettably cross the line sometimes.

I wish I didn't get so het up about it!

I was born into a very small farm'ish village of Roman Catholic folks. And so I know how they have learned and felt the world from earliest days. Until the churches fade out, there are going to be such folks who find comfort in the "Big-G" as some call him/her. That's life in our generations, eh?

I do know exactly who you are speaking of, and in my earlier days thought of calling on her. To stand a bit of moral and ethical strength, because I saw her as being so badly out-numbered. But I read enough of her posts ... I don't think she actively seeks conflict. But subconsciously? She does seem to thrive on it. So nope. Though I will literally fight to defend her right to believe, I will not fight to defend her ways.

"Until the churches fade out, there are going to be such folks who find comfort in the "Big-G" as some call him/her. That's life in our generations, eh?"

This is why people appear to be worshipping Dawkins. We're not worshipping him, but he has helped raise atheism's head above the parapet and, for my part at least, given substantial reasoning to the feelings I've had for years. I wish Douglas Adams was still around as I'm sure he could have condensed The God Delusion into a couple of pithy, witty and focussed sentences!

(I wish DNA was still around for other reasons too, but I think he would have been in his element in the current theism/atheism climate.)

Yep, in some directions and ways, DNA made his own atheism and revilement of religions clear. But in his writings, he kept it subtle. You alsmost had to be 'there' or looking for it. If he was still around, and try to expound on it, I think he would have lost much of his following. His HHGTTG, Dr Who, the whales and the albatross ... They'd all be washed away by his stance on 'beliefs'.

He was a very witty and funny man, and very smart. He knew when and where to stand a point of perspective. He wouldn't mix his writings with his beliefs, any more than he morally felt a justified need to. That's my take of the man.

Ya know, I'd kind of like it if you'd call on e-mail. There is an address on my PS, that looks like an envelope. We might discuss a thing or three more easily ...

Bear in mind that The God Delusion is dedicated to DNA, and starts with a quote of his:

'Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?'

I know that one can't assume DNA would have been part of the atheist uprising, but his feelings were quite clear and he was a close friend, and admirer of, Richard Dawkins (the feelings were apparently mutual) so I think it likely that he would have chipped in at some point.

Still, that's by the by. Check your mail dude!

To be honest, I wouldn't know. I've not been to a book store in months, and Dawkins isn't someone I'd be looking for as a mode of release or entertainment. Perhaps Mr Adams would have expounded that way. I'm content to just know him from his humour in the HitchHiker and Dirk Gently books.

And sorry for a delay, I was on the phone with the President. (She IS a lovely Lady, btw)

Whoot, and toot, and barely bended knee. Tops and tippled of the season to you, mate. How-ever you meet it, etc. It's the calendar closing of a year, and the beginning of a new one.