[Paul]

Interesting article, but really I don't need faith to comfort me when situations like those discussed arise. Being an atheist I am really confused by the resistance to euthansia and assisted suicide that comes from the religous. One would think that if you indeed believed there was an afterlife, then these areas would not be of any concern, but time after time the strongest opponents to these, what I feel are extremely merciful acts, are usually those that hold the most zealous religous beliefs. And the idea that you should live a good life now due to some form of judgement after your death is really poor. Surely you should just live a good life now because that is the only one you will ever get. It seems a lot more significant to do so due to making your own choices rather than behaving so due to the threat of eternal damnation. Maybe that is why over a third of New Zealanders are good without god. (Fact taken from the last published NZ census) Have a good life now everone!

[judy chrystall]

Paul it was interesting to read your forum submission. I appreciated that you were honest in what you had to say. Have you read "Tuesdays with Morrie", certainly really worth a read. When you are looking after someone who has a terminal illness and so far there is no cure for it then things can be a little different you see things from another perspective. For me it was really good to know that there is a God (and I'm not wanting to tell you to believe in God) one whom I could talk to and put my trust in that whatever happens in the future it would be okay, he knew all about it. For me there was a peace that passes all understanding that was my strength and hope through the hours and days and weeks and months of looking after my husband as he suffered the same debilitating disease as Morrie. Our understanding of what it is like to be with someone in that situation certainly changes and as I have said gives a different perspective on life. Go well, Judy

[Paul]

Hi Judy, thanks for your comments, but I would also have to ask you, have you read "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins? I have to admit that I was an atheist before reading, but he has caused me to look again at the passive role that many atheists take with regard to religion and the religious. Grapevine obviously has a religious agenda, as can be seen by both this article and those posted in previous issues. So, although I haven't asked for this publication, it appears at regular intervals in my post box. What Dawkins has made me realise, is that we atheists should respond to these attempts to promote a religious perspective. Luckily for me, Grapevine has chosen to have an on-line forum such as this, so rather than grumble everytime one arrives, I can now challenge those very views. In addition to this, I would suggest you and anyone else who is interested take a look at http://www.youtube.com/user/richarddawkinsdotnet?blend=1&ob=4