quickduck Wrote:

What!! You don't believe in fairies...
Well, I'm shocked...

There's much to be learnt from fairytales.
Actually, I think atheism is more likely to keep the peasants in line; faith can move mountains where as doubt maintains the status quo.

How exactly would Atheism keep the peasants in line? What great promises does Atheism offer? That when you die there's nothing for you whether or not you were a "good" or a "bad" person, that all that awaits you is oblivion? I'm really not sure how that's going to motivate people to obey some king, priest, pastor, imam, lama, or rabbi. Perhaps, instead, not believing in an eternal reward and or punishment would instead motivate people to treasure this life and do their best to make it better, to improve their standard of living, to tackle inequality, to promote our understanding of the universe, to enjoy life. Maybe your faith can move mountains, but while you sit there before the mountain, strong in your faith, we'll be digging away at it with something a little bit more substantial.

Atheism offers no great promises…it also offers no great hope.
Instead creates doubt and uncertainty leading cynicism and acceptance of the status quo.
A divinely inspired man (lets call him Jesus) once challenged a king, a priest, a rabbi--founded a religion--who’s followers tackle inequality and promote understanding of the universe. The same could be said for Buddha, Lao-Tzu and other ‘disreputable’ characters.
Very little is ever achieved without faith; there’s nothing wrong with putting our trust in something bigger than ourselves.
Religion is the very stuff of life--and in my experience it’s spiritual people who treasure life most.
Be careful as your “digging away” at that mountain you don’t cause a landslide and find yourself neck deep in rubble.

wow quickduck...wise words

LOL Thanks Lucie...I suppose if I spout enough drivel, sooner or later I’ll say something that makes sense to someone.