intelligent less likely to believe in god, page-20

Xerxes

Interesting scenarios you put forth.

"There were remarkably few athiests on the Western Front during such conflicts as the battle of the Somme"

Naturally when one is looking death fair and square in the eye you want to believe in the hereafter and God. Human nature.

"The Intelligence / God argument is really a furphy and has little validity ... imo."

Agreed. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs as long as it does not negatively impact on others. I have known and know many very intelligent and successful people who are firm believers and attend mass every Sunday.

"How does one axplain the amazing harmony and balance and diversity of life on this planet?"

It's the theory of order and chaos - balance and imbalance cancelling each other out to create... ahhh "harmony". It's not just on our measily speck of sand you call our planet - it's the way of the universe and beyond.

"What about the so-called near death or 'death experiences' of people that have been carefully documented?"

Tunnels of light and seeing dead relatives - So ? Does this prove the existance of God ? Or is it something else ? Or indeed is it just hallucinations from a dying brain ?

"What about cases of miraculous healing and allegedly 'answered prayer'?"

Sorry I have yet to see any conclusive evidence of miraculous healings. Have you ? I do remember a friend who died aged 27 - he became a Christian when diagnosed and some of his freaky born again mates said "It's a miracle - his tumour has shrunken because of our prayers - and then he died anyway. As long as it helped him on his journey that's the main thing I guess and I would probably do the same.

Call me a cynic if you will.