Discovery Channel: "The Lost Tomb of Jesus".
Five of the 10 discovered boxes in the Talpiot tomb were inscribed with names believed to be associated with key figures in the New Testament: Jesus, Mary, Matthew, Joseph and Mary Magdalene. A sixth inscription, written in Aramaic, translates to "Judah Son of Jesus."

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

"You have missed the point"
Have I? Burning down churches was not to do with religion? What makes you think that? Churches were burnt down, amonst other acts of violence, because of a irrational hate of religion which some, not all, atheists hold! Marginalisation is what drives a Muslim to violence

Steven, Buckhurst Hill,

Little children believe in Father Christmas because they believe what their parents tell them.
Big children (adults) believe in the god because they believe what preachers tell them.
Little children abandon their belief in Father Christmas when they're big enough to think for themselves.
Why don't big children (adults) abandon their belief in god? Because they haven't learned to think for themselves.

alan, germany,

"I'm sorry but Atheists have burnt down churches..."

You have entirely missed the point. When atheists have committed acts of violence it is nothing to do with religion. When a theist burns down an opposing church it is in the name of his own God.

Paul, Northampton, UK

George Sign, Nice, France. Please do not refer to Catholicism as a faith in its own right. It is merely a denomination of Christianity, not the whole of Christianity.

M.Robinson, London, UK

Paul, I'm sorry but Atheists have burnt down churches, you should read more and not just assume. They believed religion was evil and took action.

Evidence? It of course it depends on who you are reading Paul. Many Physists, not all, see the design and elegence in the universe.

Many relgious people use reason, to work things out and weigh the evidence. What is extraordinary about saying God exists? Nothing thats what!

Steven, Buckhurst Hill,

Paul,

If there was no evidence then we would not believe. We believe becuase of the evidence, both from then and from now. It is not unreasonable to do so.

I would also suggest that you are looking for the wrong kind of evidence. God is not like the Loch Ness Monster, he presents himself in other ways to us. If you can't see that, then your mind is probably as closed as how you think the minds of the religious are.

Chris, Epsom,

"I have my PhD in business and management, I'm not an unintelligent person, and I am proud of my beliefs.
It is very disturbing that so many people don't have faith.
I'll pray for you. Catherine, N.Ireland"

I find it disturbing that an intelligent person can leave reason behind on a single subject and accept a concept for which there is no evidence.

Extraordinary Claims require extraordinary evidence. God doesn't even have ordinary evidence.

I also find it disturbing that opposing faiths join together against atheists. Surely 'abstaining' from picking a religion is better than actually joining the ranks of the 'enemy'?

Atheists are concientious objectors. We don't attack people and burn down their church / mosque / temple in the name of a God. We leave that to the believers.

Humans are not the centre of the universe. If we really are the product of God then he is definitely an underachiever.

Paul, Northampton, UK

In my humble opinion this is an interesting time in the UK. People report that the UK has become increasingly secular. Though this may only reflect personal experiences over the last five or so years I have noticed a significant shift away from secularism. (This may be partly to do with a poor, disillusioned methodist now teaching in a "Catholic" school coupled with the fact that he married a Hindu, and that his son is not allowed to eat beef) Religion is, in my world, not left to the odd ones, but is a tempting way of life. As an outsider, I have been amazed by the support goups and contacts that these groups offer to there kin folk. Could religion be a career move? It is tempting. I currently resist the temptation. But I would l would love to be religious, to really believe. Wouldn't that be something? add eternal life to the nod and wink in job interviews!!!!!!!!

bob, york, m

Europe’s anti-religion/faith/church posture of today as a response to how the Church’s history in Europe, and how different religion is viewed in the US here because of the first Amendment. In Europe the Church was and in places still is part of the government. Some governments even collect a tax to support them, oversee the appointment of clergy and bishops, or make civil appointment based on church attendance. None of these or similar practices are allowed by the US Constitution. Europe’s making a church/religion a branch of the government forced it to serve two masters. In that situation only one will be served well and history shows all too often it has been the Master controlling the purse strings. Because of that the Church could not or would not speak truth to power. All too often it instead stood by and just watched, enabled it, it supported, or promoted it to the detriment of the those Christ appointed the Church to serve.

Phil, Washington, DC

The press in America treats the Pope as if he is the spiritual leader of the world.ght to stay in his one square mile city state where he belongs.

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

How can anyone who has studied or even perused the history of religion believe that faith and reason go together. Quite apart from the horrendous acts perpetrated in the name of religion, and in particular christianity, one only has to examine how the catholic church has manipulated the gospels to understand that all of it is man made. Furthermore how any catholic can claim that the style, behaviour and actions of the catholic clergy are about as far removed from the teachings of christ as they could posibily be.

The churches and in particular the catholic church started out being about control and it remains the same today.

Victor Marriott, Sarasota, FL

Belief in the supernatural and reason do not go together,common sense tells us this.

Iain Rae, Tunbridge Wells, U.K.

What Americans do around the world matters. We can do
much good or cause great evil. The judgment to determine
what is right or wrong must be tested against some standard.
We, Americans, do not and have never trusted government so
we use our faith as a standard that is the reason the political
classes and the political left hate region -- we judge them.

The English have much less ability to cause evil in the world,
hence much less need to set a standard to judge your political
classes. I do judge my political leaders by the standard of my
faith. I am catholic. However, I would disagree that Americans
and the Brits are very different. We, Americans, like a good
fight whereas you Brits like to get along so I think there are
many Faithful Brits who keep quite in fear of being considered
low class.

PS I was glad to see Brown come over. I hope the Queen
we come soon. I remember her prior visit to California. I will
cheer for my Queen as much as I cheer for my Pope.

John, Placentia, OC California

Humanity without religion is like a serial killer without a chainsaw.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

Now it's a funny thing with religion. If you are born and brought up in a Muslim country you will most likely believe in the Muslim faith. If you are born and brought up in a Catholic country you will most probably believe in the Catholic faith. If you are born and brought up in Israel, guess what, you're probably going to believe in the Jewish faith. Now what do you think this tells us? All religions are MAN made. As for the Pope wanting everyone to be more open: what about opening up the secret Vatican archives.

George Sign, Nice, France

You should be grateful that religion is considered untasteful to brag about in the public sphere. It's easy to simply look over and say "Look at the Americans! Look how honest they are about their faith!" and not see the culture of fundamentalists and other kinds of overly-obsessed and puritanical whackjobs.

Brett, Salt Lake City, USA

I have to disagree with this mischaracterization of Americans as "doing God." I was born in the Midwest; have lived in California all of my adult life ; and became a Catholic in my 30s because it was a requirement for my child to attend a private school. I do not know anyone who talks about their religious beliefs outside of church. Frankly, very few people I know even attend church on a regular basis and those who do may feel it is more an exercise of duty or tradition. Everyone I know would think the subject embarrassing and private. I would immediately edge away from anyone who seemed even remotely evangelical and I believe most Americans would behave likewise. The images we attempt to paint of each other across the pond are interesting, but often skewed.

Shari, San Jose, California

Donald, Baltimore:

The sad thing is, you can't. The demographic who would consider it an affront to God will probably arrive on this comments page in droves proclaiming that America is a Christian nation and separation of church and state is a lie.

Martin, ST. ANDREWS, Scotland

When you see the calibre of the politicians who dwell on it, you can't help wondering if religion, (rather like patriotism) is becoming the last refuge of scoundrels.
You can be quietly religious as you can be quietly a family man, a supporter of a particular sports team or whatever, and that would be nobody's business but your own.
But whenever politicians make a big deal of such things it smacks of desperation - as if those involved have done nothing of merit.

Stuart Hartill, Ramsey, Isle of Man,

""The Anglosphere, the greatest civilizing influence this world has ever known" says Mr Meadows in the States.
Not sure if most Iraqis would agree with that. Hurry up and ask them now... before they're all dead!

Mike, La Rochelle, France"


They are predominately killing each other and incidentally providing a wonderful example in Islam of an uncivilising force.

J, London,

""The Pope: let's be more open""

Yes, lets. You first.
What percentage of the Catholic Church's wealth go's towards helping the poor and needy?

Phill , The Wirral, England

If someone starts talking about god I would have to reconsider voting for them a) I am not religious and find the belief god difficult to tolerate b) there is quite often the implication in american politicians that god is on their side like some sort of mystical cheerleader. I would make clear that I am not dogmatic in these views and clearly there are exceptions, but I vote for those I generally agree with (which I beleive is the basis of democracy) and if someone is putting forward a world view which is contary to mine then I support someone else.

This is not to say the British have it right. I think we should seperate church and state. I also think religion should be more out in the open - that way I can disagree with it openly.

John, London,

The real problem is not the private belief in a Supreme Being, or lack of it, since this unprovable either way. The problem is organised religions and their doctrine much of which is provably without provenance and some of which is against the law. Belief is not fact and doctrine is not the same thing as morality. You cannot run a nation on the basis of multiple versions of the unproven. Since we are discussing the comments of the Pope there is no proven evidence of the Apostolic Succession and therefore no evidence for the Doctrine on Celibacy, Contraception or even authority for ordination. There is no proven evidence that Peter was ever in Rome, only a burial place and a body based on supposition. From what I see organised religions are effectively political parties with more interest in power, money and the self aggrandisement of the heirarchy than in promoting goodness. Organised religions are also divisive in the community and if they are not about goodness what are they for?

Keith, Rayleigh, England

The point in the last sentence [that Britain has a state religion and is largely indifferent to that religion] should merit reflection.

Would it not be appropriate to consider withdrawing the statutory endorsement of any specific religion, as being incompatible with 21st century Britain?

Why should the Church of England receive the backing of the state in a way that, for example, other forms of Protestantism do not (or non-Protestant belief systems)?

Andrew, Hong Kong,

Religion and superstition have no place in government

Gavin, London, UK

Camille, USA: "We don't do God "is a direct quote from Alastair Campbell during Tony Blair's incumbency. He was, I seem to recall, deflecting press curiosity as to whether Bush and Blair had 'prayed together'.

K Parker, Norfolk, UK

"The Anglosphere, the greatest civilizing influence this world has ever known" says Mr Meadows in the States.
Not sure if most Iraqis would agree with that. Hurry up and ask them now... before they're all dead!

Mike, La Rochelle, France

Thankfully people are awakening to religions hypocracy, realising they can think for themselves and getting on with things. People will eventually chuckle and politicians will lament at what a beautiful political tool it once was.

However, it is now time to rebuild and reunite communities and introduce policies and initiatives that fill the gap religions exit is leaving. Of course, the reasons for community decline is more complex than religions exit: Increased immigration, changing family structures, increased time pressures.

Mark, HH, Uk

I have my PhD in business and management, I'm not an unintelligent person, and I am proud of my beliefs.

It is very disturbing that so many people don't have faith.

I'll pray for you.

Catherine, N.Ireland,

Unfortunately you are wrong. We do do religion over here, but it is covert. The Church of England has a privileged position in our political system. The monarch is also head of the CoE and some bishops are automatically given positions in the House of Lords. The church has a separate legal system administered internally (even down to planning laws which are handled by faculties rather than the usual planning procedures). It is time we swept away the link between the state and one particular church completely. The CoE should return all the land and property it has acquired from the nation over centuries and be put on the same basis as all other religions in this country. The church should loose its political and legal privilege. Then religion becomes what it is, a matter of personal choice. 95% of the population have already decided they don't want it and you would be right to say we don't do religion.

PeterK, London,

I far prefer the British way; frankly, if you openly admit your belief in tooth fairies, unicorns, gods, devils and mythical kingdoms, you are a bit weird. Keep it behind closed doors. There's no such thing as an intelligent person who believes in a fairy/unicorn/gnome/god.

fenya, UK,

Camille - faith is falling in this country and it is a great thing - we are no longer held to ransom by the religious minority, who demqand that we live out lives according to their guidelines, no matter how odd and fanatic.

Simon Albion, London, UK

"The Pope suggested that a secular state like the US, where all religions are welcomed, is a positive model from which Europeans can learn."

I would not agree with this. I have seen the ugly faces of religions operating in parts of America. For example, I suggest
looking at what happens in the the Bible Belt than at big city like New York. In about a few decades, Catholics would in greatr number thanks to immigration from South America, and the picture then would be different.

Norman, LONDON,

It's interesting in that it seems no candidate running for political office above State level can afford to say he, or she, does not have a religion or faith. I just wonder if we could ever put up a candidate for President, who happened to be an Agnostic or Atheist

Donald Hart, Baltimore, USA

It's a good job we are different and we have people of the calibre of Richard Dawkins to tell us the truth - that god is a delusion - he exists only in people's imagination.
Interesting that by and large, the more freedom people enjoy , the better educated they are, the less they believe in god- no surprise then that the Scandanavian countries exhibit the highest levels of athesim, even higher than Britain.
Science cannot currently explain everything, but free from religous presecution, scientists over the last couple of hundred years have done a pretty admirable job in uncovering evolution, DNA, Stem cells, Black holes - the list goes on .
My faith is with science and that eventually, we will unravel the remaining mysteries of the beginnings of the universe.

David Maxfield, Auckland, New Zealand

For your guidance, dear author, the Pope is actually a head of state and therefore protocol dictates he be met by the President. It is as simple as that.

This same protocol means the President could not receive Mr Brown, even if he had nothing in his diary.

David Williams, Eastnor, England

You say that you don't "do" God. What a disgusting way to get a laugh or a smirk out of some (not all) readers.

No, it's true, faith is failing in England and your media has no doubt helped that along.

Camille, USA,

Your comment that Americans are not like us I do not believe applies to the great majority of British people.
I would go further,the peoples with the most in common on this planet are British,Americans,Canadians,Australians,New Zealanders. All of these plus a few South Africans I met in my wanderings around Europe forty five years ago which eventually led me to California.
Here you may follow any religious persuasion you wish unless you try to impose it on others,that is forbidden and rightly so. Separation of Church and State is taken very seriously here.
When you speak of sneering political classes you must be referring to lefties,they are not real British people.
Real British people created the Anglosphere ,the greatest civilizing influence this world has ever known. I am very proud to be both a British and American citizen,

John W Meadows, Los Altos Hills, California