Greetings and how thrilling it is to finally have a GREAT and I do mean GREAT scientist to tell it (Evolution) as it really is. We have been mired in a torturous and agonizing society of religious wars, rule,and dominance for thousands of years and the results for humans, animals, and even plants, has been globally disastrous and wicked. I know that time was limited on the radio show tonite and there was the expected quackery call-ins, but I do wish Dr. Dawkins would have expounded more on why the God-Jesus Delusion and why the Christians and Muslims have been sucuccessful forover 2000 years. No matter, anybody with a computer, memory or good library can access themselves to the powers of the church, Rome, Middle East etc., and how they took their domain worldwide. Surely some of us remember, as did Europeans, the Middle East and especially the indian tribes of South America when the christians arrived, that you would accept their god or die. Millions died and many accepted the European Christ...by force. And the Inquisition was a damned long tenure of 'Dirty Deeds' that would shake anyone; timbers. Just thinking of the Holy Wars (Crusades) and the ravaging, torture of women both physically and through holy writ is more than enough to turn my stomach. And the beat goes on as the good doctor said with our politicians and their lust to win power. Any wonder that this once powerful nation will be reduced to slime and murk just as those of the past? No doubt if we can't get it right and be proud we have a life to live, produce, create, love and pursue happiness along with being good stweards of this planet.

Every single person who called Moderator Holmes tonite can't escape the fact that they are religious because of geographical birth, parental beliefs, state beliefs, state rule or just plain programmed throughout their formative (or later in many cases after spending time in prision, a difficult, divorce, lost loved ones, alcoholism, drug addict, ball players (Whoppee)) years by creationist preachers, Omans, Moolahs, and whatever other charlatans have spit their own brand of religious fervor into their gray matter. The precepts and so-called truths of religion cannot even meet a single viable test of proof. Deprogrammed? No chance in my opinion, it was difficult even with a few Moonies.Very few of us can make the claim to have escaped the wrath and hatred of religion.
Sure we have intelligent people who are religious. Most wouln't have a career if they didn't in the society we have made since Jefferson, Paine, Wahington and Adams, etc,. Many scientists have major grants from religious orgainizations and that is big moolah. Many religious colleges have creaed and hired scientists and their paycheck is tied to religion.Do they eat and take the easy way out? Would they dare to learn the truth (Most likely already know Darwinian Evolution) or be sort of cowards and stay the course and enjoy the benefits of their own good life? Would they recant just a centimeter as did Galileo? Pasteur? or would they be a Giardano deBruno (Religious but seeking the truth) and tell 'em, "I'd rather be burned to death alive than to live in ignorance?" At the Campo de Fierro in 1400 he was burned alive. And torching Joan of Arc? Once to see her clothes burn off and gleefully see her naked? A second time to dispatch her? Bastards all. Do they use the scientific methood in their daily lives and occupations. Would they go to a court hearing without doing research? No, of course not. So why are they willing to leave their intelligence on the doorsteps at the entrance to the church?

If heaven (sic) is such a great place, why was there trouble from the beginning...a fight among the angels and one kicked out to be called Satan?

Age of Reaoning? Not hardly.