Once again a fantastic article! As a former student of Canterbury University I rather enjoy that bad boy Bishop but Clarkson wins hands down!! Outstanding show! Clarkson for PM!!!!

Katy, London, UK

Fantastic! finally an article that is logical, humorous & straightforward about religion. It seems almost impossible to be vaguely critical of religion these days.

I live with an alpha christian who seems to have morals so warped (people who do good will nevertheless go to hell if they A: believe in the 'wrong' god, or B: don't believe in god at all, whereas rapists & paedophiles who 'repent' because they believe in god will end up living it up in paradise....) that it is impossible to have a sensible conversation with her.

If heaven is supposedly full of Jonathon Aitkins' types, I can say I am damn glad I don't even believe in the idea as it would keep me awake at night!

Thanks Jeremy, I started to think that perhaps I was going mad.

A relieved unreligious person, London, UK

Jeremy,
Spot on and you have my vote also. Religion is the longest and biggest smoke and mirrors job ever, and as Brian from Heysham says its " .... fleecing gullible people".

Dave Ainsworth, Glasgow, Scotland

Jeremy mate,I am a christian, that does not necessarily make me religious, there is an often missed difference, and as for old Rowan believing in a man walking on water and feeding 5000 with a couple of sardines, i think you may find that as archbishop of canterbury he has a bit of a struggle with sort of thing!.

Stewart York, Grimsby, N E Lincs

Jeremy, some years ago, when I was living on the Pacific coast, I had a neighbour who was as furious enemy of religion as you are. And he used every opportunity to mock my faith.
One day and earthquake came. I ran out of my house and was shaking in the middle of the street. When the quake stopped and I could see anything, I have spotted right beside me on his knees my neighbour who was still crying: "My God, save me!" After a moment he also stopped, and as he saw me, he bowed his head and in silence disappeared in his home. Never again he said anything bad about the faith.
Man, you need a good shake!

Francisco, Thunder, Canada

I did like the "come out from behind your eyebrows" image.

Mrs. Brown, Fair Oaks,

Once again I say " Clarkson for El Presidente of Le Monde " and put the rabid Christians ( and Muslims etc ) in the asylums where they belong with their repetitive chants.
Do unto others before they do unto you seems to be the philosophy of religions of all persuasions.

David J Blackmore, Auckland, New Zealand

I don't believe you can find more puffed up mess of words and accusations in any respected media as is this one by Mr Jeremy Clarkson. This article really demonstrates the low side effects of democracy - a not very intelligent person speaking rubbish in a way "crowds just love it."

For Jeremy Clarkson, everything is so simple and clear: "Archbishop of England, Church of England, Religions in general, are guilty of killing all those millions in the name of God! So why care about environment? Don't anybody who believes in God preach me about morals!!!!"

Please.

Gogi Andrews, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Hear hear Jeremy brilliant article - How come the religious people believe the scientists about global warming (still to be proved) yet they poured scorn on the scientists when they talk about Earths creation ?

Colin, Buckhaven, Fife, Scotland

Mr. Clarkson,

Obviously you live in some other place than realitry on this planet. Were the doors of the "magnificent" churches to be opened, you could be assured that anything of value not fastened down would be stolen to buy more booze, drugs, even guns for a better ability to rob. The chances of a grown man stealing from a church to get something for his kids? That's a notion we call fantasyland.

Paul-Wesley Bowen, San Jose, California

"We are meant to be the most intelligent species that ever roamed this planet, perhaps we should start acting like that." says Brian May.

Perhaps Mr May would like to use some of his own intelligence to question the mantras he trots out... "Global warming will affect the poorest folk in the poorest countries most. Eventually it will have a knock on effect on those of us luck to live in rich nations..."

Where did you get this "information"? Not, by any chance, from a global club of politico-scientists whose livelihoods depend on spouting the correct message, and whose theories are being shot down daily by people with genuinely questioning minds and no vested interests?

Paul D, Cambridge,

Thankyou - more sense from the tall bloke - the hypocrisy of the Church is only slightly exceeded by the hypocrisy of new labour and the tax payer funded self appointed elite who daily are given platforms by the bbc to opine on how immoral the english and americans are.....

Simon, London,

Clarkson for Prime Minister?

I second that...

Just the rest of the politicians left to get rid of and put in their place people who actually know what they are doing....

Richard Jones, Pontypool, Torfaen

Jeremy at his BEST - as always.

Congratulations for one of the last journalists with "common sense" !

Miha

Miha Music, Trzin, Slovenia

I don't know if we're responsible for the global warming (who knows?), but when i smell the odor of the air that i breath, even in the open country, many times, expecially if it doesn't rain for long, it has an "innatural" acid taste, and i noticed this, growing in the last 10 years. I think that in the next future the most advanced countries will not be those who have the highest economical performance, but those where the quality of the air , of the water, of the ground will be the better possible. Of course i'm talking of western world and industrialized nations. Living in an environment with low pollution will be the difference between rich and poor.

Francesco, Treviso, Italy

Global Warming? Sometimes I really think that human beings are getting more and more stupid by the day...

The earth experienced a NUMBER of extinction-level events long before we were scratching our gills and wondering what banana tasted like. The earth is naturally mobile in it's geometry, it's position in the universe and it's eco and environment systems. Of course the climate will change. It would do that whether or not human beings existed.

I blame academics. Think about it. You're never going to get laid, wealthy or famous if all you have is a skin complaint and an encyclopaedic knowledge of Star Trek. You have to patiently beaver away in a dark room on a new sensationalist theory; preferably more sensational than the previous guys and dream of emerging a professor.

Its our fault because we feed them. If you feed something then you encourage it and feel obliged to take it seriously. Stop feeding academics and solve the dodgy science behind 'global warming'.

EK, Various, Greece, Italy, U.S.

Spot on Jeremy as usual! Keep it going,you,ve got our vote!

John Lewis, glynneath, wales

Brilliant.

A fine point well made.

Sophie, Norwich, England

Jeremy C should be forthwith declared a national treasure! How many others these days regularly parade their ignorance so unselfconsciously?

Fr Louis, London, UK

Thank you.

Amanda, Oxford, England

Clarkson - You have excelled yourself. Thankyou.

Helen Jones, Liverpool, UK

This should have been about religion and turns into a political diatribe. Jeremy is right about the Archpillock and the bloated wealth of the churches, but to call them left-wing and communists is ludicrous. If someone would do a rational analysis of the things that Rowan has attempted to say, that would be more useful.
Furthermore, to belittle the threat of global warming and those who try to prepare for it is just ignorant. I'm told Mr Clarkson can drive a car fast, and there's nothing wrong with that, provided he doesn't do it on the roads or often. But he is not a global philosopher.

Maurice Hill, Alicante, Spain

This was such a good excoriation of the incipid daffiness and yeah-saying conformity of a High Churchman (or any churchman, for that matter, including Muslim ones), that I have recommended to Christopher Hitchens that he include Clarkson's piece in a second volume of "The Portable Atheist."

Edward Cline, Yorktown, VA

Of course, you wouldn't hear such nonsense from The Pope as you do from a man speaking on behalf of a long dead King who invented C of E for his own selfish ends.
But then, the Catholic church let Bliar in.
I say make them give all their monies & valuables to good causes internationally, and then I might consider them to be practicing Christianity.
In the meantime, Jeremy Clarkson for Prime Minister. Or head of the Church...

JezzaBelle, Somerset, ENGLAND

Excellent article and thank you jeremy for not towing the government line stay real your about the only celeb in the world who stands up against the global warming fearmongers.

Jezza for prime minister!!!

stan, porth, wales

Stick to cars, Clarkson. Then, at least, you know what you are talking about.

Mark, London,

What a delight to discover Mr. Clarkson. Would you please turn your focus this way? There is much to comment on in "New England".

Barry Bergen, Middleborough, Massachusetts USA

I look forward to the news item showing Jeremy Paxman's home being opened to the homeless and weak. After all he does earn considerably more than an Archbishop and a man of such strong convictions surely isn't just all hot air and soundbites.

Paul Ainsworth, Leeds, UK

Very well put, Jeremy. Brilliant!

Peter, Sweden,

What a load of nonsense. I am surprised at the Times for printing such a sweeping and ill considered article from someone who is entertaining when talking about cars, but should not me taken seriously on any other subject.

Jo Mummery, Manchester,

Great post!
And to all those who say that it was/is not religion in those "religious wars" even if religion is just used as an excuse then it still is a bad thing, why keep and support a fantasy that can be used as an exuse for war!

Hugo, Tienen, Belgium

Bravo Jeremy!!!

Religion is at the forefront of evil.

The bible is a book of chinese whispers.

Gods were created out of a lack of understanding of the universe.

Religious leaders were clever people who saw an opportunity to control the weaker minded.

These days religious leaders pick, choose and change their laws and beliefs to suit themselves or proven science.

Jesus was probably a good early illusionist with the gift of the gab.

Global warming is political science.......and a good government earner!!!

Mark Powell, sittingbourne, kent

AH Coventry. You suggest that the C of E won Jeremy the right to rant without fear of execution. Please bear in mind that it was also founded on the moral values of Henry VIII.

Andy, Biddulph,

How can you take seriously someone who wears a frock and sounds like Elmer Fudd!!

Steve Holley, Exeter, Uk

Clarkson should be careful what he wishes for. It was the CofE that won him the freedom to rant about religion without being burned at the stake for heresy. Still, perhaps the good Archibishop could persuade the the full-on, five-star paid up member of the slavering xenophobes to stand a little closer to his patio heater where he might spontaniously combust starting with his ridiculous hair. Oh joy!

AH Coventry

A Houston, Coventry, England

"Morally, the world would be no worse if religion were abolished. Practically, it would be much, much better."

Perhaps Jeremy Clarkson would like to ask those who were sent to the gulags in the USSR, subjected to forced labour which killed 1.5million people by the Khmer Rouge or saw friends cut down in Tian An Men Square whether the abolition of religion would be a good thing. It certainly did them no favours under their overtly atheistic regimes.

It's also worth noting that from the 19th century onwards nearly all wars and conflicts have been triggered by either politics or economics, or both. Does Jeremy therefore suggest we abandon those as well?

David Ryan, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Perhaps the lack of scepticism seemingly necessary to follow a religion is being translated in a post-religous society into new areas, such as 'global warming'. Sceptics apply the reasoning - if this belief were not true how else could I explain what I/we observe? They will remain unaffected by either kind of belief since there are so many simpler explanations of the apparent than any religion or global warming. But those with an urge to believe, who probably do not understand the sentence before last, may simply be finding secular myths instead of religion. This only matters because they may also wish to impose their ideas on the rest of us and history suggests that they were, are and will be prepared to do great damage in attempting to do so.

Stephen Gorard , Birmingham,

I'm not a fan of Mr.Clarkson but I do agree very much with his views on religion. The sooner we do away with religion the sooner we will have more chance of peace in the world; more chance of the hungry being fed, more chance of the homeless being housed, more chance of the sick being healed. I'm all for the teaching of love for self and neighbours (everybody) as mentioned in the Jesus teaching. As some wise person mentioned "Christianity is a good idea, it's a pity it has never been practised."

Peter Gunning, Mansfield, UK

Jeremy Clarkson for Prime Minister.
At long last someone on this planet with a voice speaking some common sense.
Religion is the biggest con trick the human race has ever played upon itself.
Belief in God is akin to belief in Father Christmas, a lovely idea without substance.
Religion has evolved into tool used to control gullible elements of the population with threats of Hell fire and damnation; Churches of all denominations rob their parishioners of what little money they are left with after the other wolves in our society i.e. Gordon Brown et al have had their share.
As for Global warming, isn’t it lucky for the saner individuals amongst us that these loons weren’t about when Britain was in the grip of the ice age, you can just hear the cry, can you not, the ice is receding and all the hairy mammoths are going to die, put those fires out immediately, what you will freeze to death, don’t worry about that, think of the planet.

Arthur Brown, Maldon, Britian

Firstly as to global warming, the jury is still out, but as to pollution caused by cars, over-commercialism, oil/nuclear spills etc. the verdict is guilty, and that can't be ignored, we are undoubtedly poisoning the planet and radiply depleting irreplaceable natural resources.

Secondly, as to religion, our origin and that of the universe - accidents or a product of an all pervading cosmic intelligence.- is the fundamental question in all our lives, and one that JC is in no position to answer conclusively either.

Religions were all created by prophets and visionaries, and it appears they alone have reached a higher dimension of consciousness, and these "seers" e.g. Moses, Christ, Mohammed, have existed in every culture since history began.

Jeremy Clarkson should take up meditation for a few months and he'll discover there are a lot more mysteries to human consciousness and existence than he has so far imagined, that is, if he isn't too scared, as critics of spiritually often are.

James Anderson, Manchester,

I just wonder which JC the Creation as it then is will be talking about in 2000 years time?

Chris, Preston, Lancs

Jeremy's views on religion are decidedly milk-toast compared with the first JC's. Try Matthew 23.

Bob Johnson, Near Kuopio, Eastern Finland

Oh no, the last thing we atheists need is this petrol head taking up our cause. This article is full of unfocused, air headed, vitriol. For just one example, it's ridiculous to suggest that Prescott had anything to do with determining the targets set at Kyoto. They were set by environmental scientists. Please leave serious discussions to those capable of having them.

Mal, MK,

we need to get rid of ignorance about religion also.....

david harper, Hatfield, Herts

Religion was abolished by Lenin, Mao and Pol Pot, amongst others.
Need one say more?

hilde Ohlemueller, bensheim, Germany

Nonsense. Do some readings in history and how it is evaluated today. Recent (non-theological) studies suggest strongly that for instance the 30 years’ war had political power-play reasons as driving force while religion was only (mis)used as pretext. That we do call it a war of religion is rather inaccurate. Anyway, how would you justify killing when you very holy writings forbid it (this is way the crusades are ever since considered a terrible shame by Christians)? Furthermore, is, was and would there be less killing without religion? Again, a look into history would tell differently. Just think about communism. Religion? No way (at the heart of communism lies the denial of religion and external moral authorities). Outcome? Most likely more than 100 million victims. On the other side, what is it that makes us considering peace something to strive for and war something to despise? Morals, hm, yes - but where do they come from? Some readings in the history of philosophy might be helpful

Samuel Vogel, Helsinki,

Spot on Jeremy! Well said.

Paul Howland, Wassenaar, The Netherlands

Fantastic. There must be millions in this country who agree with Clarkson. Yet every time there is a 'moral' question, the media wheel out 'holy men'- bishops and mullahs and rabbis to pronouce on it. The teachings of koran and the halmut relating to woman and 'non-believers' contradict every tenet of human rights and anti-discrimination, but , its ok, cos they are 'holy' books'.
The churches pronounced on the film of Phillip Pullmans great book as evil because it might teach children about atheism,
The media should reflect he views of 'ordinary ' people , and combat the insidious propaganda of the religious institutions - aimed at reinforcing the fear and superstitions that have kept them in power for far too long.

Penny Blackmore, Dalyan, Turkey

Beliefs are all very well - I for instance believe that West Ham will one day win the Premiership.. but the problem with religion is not the beliefs written down but the way people use them to force their way of life on others - who could possibly disagree with the sentiment 'love your neighbour as yourself' ?
However German soldiers in WW2 with a belt buckle saying that God was on their side ? Or suicide bombers blowing up unbelievers ? - its not religion - its people
..and maybe global warming will happen and thin them out but comments from the Cof E from their privililedged position are not helping..

Tony, Cardiff ,

From Edward, Nerja:
"[...] I am a Christian. For my faith is not a religion but a belief in a God who once created a beautiful and perfect world which we all have spoilt. "

Really...?. When???. As much as I think about it I don't remember any time in History that could be defined as " a beautiful and perfect world". This is the kind of delusion religious people fall into...

Txus, London, England

Blimey Jeremy! You certainly know how to bring them all out.I hope your taking names and adresses well done, life would be rather dull without you...

John, Perth, w.a

Ernie, You said we should believe in God because if we are wrong and we don't believe in him we are a long time dead....

Thats not belief thats self serving. You are not showing belief in God, rather you are saying well, i don't really believe in God but i want to cover my back just in case, and will feign belief. If there really was a God would this not be worse than demonstrating the conviction of your beliefs. At least this way if there is a God and you show up at the pearly gates, you might get some respect. I supspect that God might find you out otherwise!

Chris, Coventry, UK

Yes I am sure if religion were abolished there would be no war. The skies would be filled with rainbows and we all hold hands while picking flowers.

Roger Black, Sheffield,

A " Jeremy" makes a comment about reading the 4 gospels and then Mr Clarkson might change his mind. Well i have read the 4 gospels and they don't follow. 1'st Archeaology has disproved a number of bibl;e stories such as the walls of Jericho actually not being there. Further the number of inconsistencies in the bible, it contradicts itself on a number of occasions.

Also if im not mistaken if you go back and check you will find that Christianity and in fact almost all religion as it exists today is simply an amalgomation of pre existing religions and celebrations.... Take Jesus as a prime example, The Roman God Mithras (A religion pre dating Christianity) was born on December 25th....Conincidence anyone???

Chris, Coventry, UK

God was created by bored and illiterate shepherds in the Middle East, who spoke of wondrous happenings. With each generation the tales were magnified and finally found form in the superbly literate writings of the Koran and the Bible.
That millions of people take these publications as gospel is nothing short of astonishing. Why do people have so little faith in themselves and so much faith in ancient texts?
I have died twice and was very, very close to it again, yet at no stage did I feel impelled to take religion on board.

Venise Alstergren, Melbourne, Victoria 3142, AUSTRALIA

But where have these morals originally come from? Don't deny the barbaric acts of human kind before the advent of monotheistic religion, because that's basically a denial of facts.

Sarah, london, UK

Perhaps the only time since reading Clarkson I agree with him!

Brian Allen, Ipswich, Suffolk

Jeremy Clarkson lecturing on the morality of having more money than brains. That shows the state of the nation more than anything that Rowan could say.

Lina, Auckland, New Zealand

Interesting that Jeremy Clarkson reckons that 809mn people have died in the name of religion over the course of nearly 1,000 years, but fails to offer comparative numbers of, for example, the number of deaths from disease, or another interesting one, from non-religious wars, particularly national conflicts (what with JC being such a patriot). 15mn dead from world war 1, 9mn dead Russian Civil War, an estimated 20mn killed under Stalin's (atheist-nationalistic) regime, 55mn Second World War: that's already nearly 100mn killed in the name of nationalism over the course of about 40 years. Adds a bit more perspective.

L Barton, London,

Very readable and amusing, as always, even if you are a bit hazy on the nature of religious faith (but then I wouldn't expect a blind man to understand Van Gogh).

Still, you are right that old Rowan should stop wittering on about global warming, in fact he has little useful to say on any subject. Leave it to the Catholic archbishops, who are a lot closer to God.

Clothilde Simon, Leeds,

Leave Jeremy alone! He is my ideal dinner party guest! He looks scarily like my brother. Love them both 2 bits. Both have a great sense of humour, also true is fact that not every word they say should be taken without a pinch of salt. It's a given that they will both amuse and annoy in equal parts

LisZ, Royston, England

I dont think many people would argue that global warming has killed many people at all. Its the potential to kill people in the future through global warming that campaingers are trying to stop. Although I totally agree with your stance towards religion. The Archbishop doesnt even seem to believe in his religion fully calling the nativity "legend", its almost as bad as the vatican suddenly deciding that actually theres no such thing as limbo. Im currently reading "The Dawkins Delusion". Although it does pick flaws in Dawins quotes and his research it doesnt seem to make any arguement for the existence of a god. The closest it has come to it is "How many adults do you know that believe in God". I couldnt help but laugh.

Tom Callard, Oxford,

Here in Minnesota I am surrounded by ritualistic Catholicism, lunatic fringe Evangelicals, bible thumping Baptists, and the like.

They all just love God.....they all profess to either being more god like, or to be the one true faith. All the while.......priests and preachers molest our children, steal money from the churches, carry on adulterous affairs and then preach hatred and bigotry from the pulpit all the while picking the pockets of the gullible.

Religion has simply become the validation some need for why they are so hateful and selfish. Politicians use it to hide perverse lifestyles, The mentally deficient use it because it allows them a false sense of superiority.

If anyone tells me they are a person of "faith" I end the conversation immediately. I already know that they have accepted the preposterous, the irrational, the ludicrous in lieu of reasoned thinking. They are also the most self-centered and vicious people I have ever encountered.

Marti Arionus

Marti Arionus, Watkins , Minnesota

Admittedly I haven't read every single post but it seems that the fundamental issue has not been understood here - 'religion';organised or otherwise. Religion is usually connected with a spiritual connation but this is only one side, the other side may have lost even more lives to that attributed to God following. Roughly speaking from an internet Thesaurus defintion:
a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
We could determine from this that even Jeremy or Top Gear is a religion for some and it most certainly is...

So to the overall 'religion isuue', (Hermann Hesse 'Siddhartha' is essential reading BTW), there are those on this planet who truly understand and make their choices, decisions and actions based on actualitly or as with the masses, actions based on religion. The followers are not the problem but the leaders of 'religions'

Jonathan Squire, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

If religion were abandoned, we might be just as well off. If, on the other hand, it were abolished, someone with crushing power would have to do the abolishing. I doubt seriously that the world would be better off with such a dictator. I think Jeremy has tipped his authoritarian hand.

Dwight Boud, Barnegat, USA

"Roger of Wolverhampton, according to the University of Essex website, "If a word already ends in <s>, then the apostrophe alone signifies possession; no <s> is needed:

In James’ opinion
Their patio wasn’t as impressive as the Jones’
The ladies’ room"

But what do pedant's know."

This pedant knows that you, andrew hammerschmiedt [lower case, sic] are incorrect and Roger is correct. Check out The Times Style Guide on this website - use the search box on this page to find it.

It should be James's opinion, ... the Jones's and, as you correctly quote, the ladies' room. Basically, you put an s on if that's how you say it. Simple. You would not say, that's James opinion, would you? keeping up with the Jones? No, so the extra s is needed. Arguably a stylistic point, but The Times style guide is considered a bit of a rosetta stone by many a fully signed up pedant.

Back on topic. Entertaining as ever Jeremy, but folk do take you too seriously.

Another Roger, The Seaside, UK

Pill, the Wirral : "No matter what you believe in, when you set yourself up as an organisation whether that be Catholic, Sunni, Shi'ite, Methodist then your already going against the words of God. "

He also spoke of his Church and appointed Peter as its head. God knows that we need to organise. Organised religion is inevitable and natural.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

"Snow and ice, gales from Siberia and temperatures of -17C "

I wonder which newspaper carried this attention seeking headline today? ! Global warming will happen in direct proportion to the population of the planet. Religeons encourage population to increase the number of people tey have authority over. Having six kids and a Toyota Pious won't actually help.

P S Why do so many foreigners comment on an English newspaper website?

Tom W, Cheshire,

Jeremy I hope that Father Christmas brought you a Hummer and a patio heater, perhaps you can pray to him next time you are in a close call. Of course the more Hummers and Range Rovers you drive the less the need for warm shelters will be heck we may even get to forgo the use of our patio heaters!

Estelle Prinsloo, Fort Mill , USA Fort Mill

Brilliant! And laugh out loud funny. Thanks for making my day Jeremy.

Brad, Grays, Essex

There are many forms of tyranny. The notion of "abolishing" in itself makes the world worse. If something is to pass away, let it do so, not as an arbitrary imposition of opinion, but because a finer state of consciousness makes it irrelevant.

Hugh Malafry, Victoria, Canada

Oh my word Mr Clarkson.

Some outstandingly reactionary views. You ought to try some thing a little less ambitious for future columns - like solutions for world peace or something?

Mind you, you have to love it when the various sects fight for the right to employment!

Steve, Cambridge,

I couldn't agree more with Jeremy that religion should be abolished! I put the exclamation mark there because I am a Christian. For my faith is not a religion but a belief in a God who once created a beautiful and perfect world which we all have spoilt. The Bible is quite clear that we are stewards on the earth and we have failed in so many ways. But all is not lost. We are still "the apple of his eye" of this very same God who loves us so much that he sent his son to be our salvation from the mess we've made. During his earthly ministry, Jesus taught how we can all make this world a better place. The answers to the planet's problems can be found, not Jeremy's words (entertaining as they may be, or the archbishop's words (well-meaning they may be) but in God's word - the Bible. Read it - it is faith inspiring and full of hope for the future!

Edward, Nerja, Spain

As a christian (small C) I agree with Jeremy that the world would indeed be better off without Religion, albeit organised Religion.

No matter what you believe in, when you set yourself up as an organisation whether that be Catholic, Sunni, Shi'ite, Methodist then your already going against the words of God.

Jesus said spread the word of God. Not spread the word of your own select style of beliefs.

Phill, The Wirral, England

Regarding opening church doors at night...

Here in Canada a few of the churches have instituted "Out of the Cold" winter-time programs which involves inviting the homeless to your neighborhood church in the evenings for a sleep over.

Unfortunately this means that said homeless then spend the next day wandering the neighborhood looking for cars and homes to break in in order to cover the crack and crystal meth habits that have them out on the street in the first place.

Not to mention bedbugs, lice etc in the church and the general incompetence of the local reverend, beard and all, in dealing with nut-job drug addicts.

Oh well, global warming should remove the need for these "Out of the Cold" programs. Excuse me while I go and warm up the SUV, we had snow last night.

Steve Uber, Toronto, Canada

one point though, we have never had 6 billion humans on this planet before. So even if climate change only kills off 1% of the Earth's population, then that would still compare badly with the number who died in both world wars.

But, as I'm sure Mr Clarkson would say, as long as the 1% isn't him, his family or friends, then he's not bothered.

Tony Pattison, Darlington, UK

Here we go again the usual half truths of the new secular progressives.

However, note that I said 'half truths' because there is much to condemn in the Church's (mainly Cof E) support for limp wristed liberal ideas of which the environmental 'hobby horse' is the latest.
The notion that religion is responsible for most of the evils of this world both present and past needs looking at dispassionately and historically.
The bloody 20th century which holds the record in depravity wasn't led by prelates although their support was often expected and too often given
It was led by Statist ideologues and the 'isms' that allowed mass murder in persuance of ideology ...colonialism, nationalism, fascism, were state sponsered.
The Church's allignment with the state in the 4th century led directly to their blessings of both sides in the 1st world war and acceptance of Dresden and Hiroshima in the second. this is in total contradiction to the commands of their founder.

George Willis, Maryport, Cumbria, UK

The Bishops do not have barrow loads of cash to invest - the investments they do have are mainly to provide pensions.

In many places it is the churches which are housing the homeless - this is certainly the case in Edinburgh.

On the subject of wars, it is political takeover of religeon that is often a driver.

In the current middle east, the impact of policies to maintain access to oil might be of interest.

Excepting these points, Jeremy may otherwise have a case...

He is certainly entertaining, but his arguments are full of holes!

Graham Scrimgeour, Edinburgh, Scotland

For future generations jeremy will be seen very much as man of his time. The past is a foreign country. The scientists agree on climate change. Jeremy is a petrol head and being the honourable man I am sure he is, will go down with the sinking ship. Rowan's long view approach in a throw-away society is apt to say the least.

daniel, london,

Spot on Jeremy, my sentiments exactly 10/10.

john allen, aberdeen, scotland

Roger of Wolverhampton, according to the University of Essex website, "If a word already ends in <s>, then the apostrophe alone signifies possession; no <s> is needed:

In James’ opinion
Their patio wasn’t as impressive as the Jones’
The ladies’ room"

But what do pedant's know.

andrew hammerschmiedt, coventry,

LS,
The more religion is chewed over the further away the meaning. A believe is personal and so only possible to describe in verse.
The ages old scripts are moralistic attempts to lay down the law, and at best mystic.
To abolish them would be to take them seriously.
Happy New Year.
TV

C M Visser, Oudebildtzijl, THe netherlands

Jenny, mi,US.

Totally agree with your comments.

The church wants commendation for restoring their
buildings, but I've yet to see builders with dog collars.

As for J.C, he has a message for everyone. And I say that
as a sort of agnostic.

Its a shame the JEWS, ISLAMICS and POLITICIANS will
not recognise the basic message.

It would reduce the usual areas of recruitment.

M walker, Nr Bromsgrove, worcs

Hooray for Jeremy Clarkson.

Religion was invented to make up for the gap in understanding once humans became aware of 'self'. No rational explanation was available to primitive man and so a higher being was invented to give a purpose to life. God was created in man's image and not the other way round.

Gwyn Harrison, Porthaethwy,

Yes, lets just paint every religion, all of which are false save one, with the same wide brush. Christianity is the only true religion, countless millions have been killed over the centuries by various communist regimes who are still trying to eradicate Christianity and they never will. The ugly blight of communism and the looming spectre of one world government, is going to kill more than most any religion could in a million years. The worst mass murderers of all history were godless, humanist atheists. Lenin, Stalin, Mao tse tung, Pol Pot have been the torchbearers for Godless atheism and the curse of communism. This blight will culminate with a one world government, the depth of depravity that it will reach is beyond human comprehension.

S. Jensen, Vancouver, Canada/B.C.

As always, Clarkson, you're spot on. The catholic church has a lot to answer for as well. Silk dresses and designer shoes. The archbishop of Los Angeles ignores the homelessness and poverty in his district in favor of building a 3 billion dollar palace to his vanity, and when the bill came due for the sex abuse scandal, he sold lesser church property, including the tiny little house some elderly nuns who worked with the poor, lived in.

I've read the rantings of the archbishop of Canterbury. I wonder if he is aware of how transparent his hatred and intolerance is for all to see. He and others like him in religious hierarchy make me, and I am a Christian, wonder if they actually believe in God, or are truly motivated by Christ's teachings, because they do not act like it.

It's validation of Christ's reasons in warning people against putting priests on pedastels, because they are as prone to sin as anyone else. I'm of the mind that they should be stripped of their palaces and wealth

Jenny, Grand Rapids, MI, US

So Clarkson thinks that churches across England should be open at night so that theives can steal their irreplacable contents? Great idea! I bet he'd also love to see all historic motor museums open their doors so that drunken hoodies can steal the classic cars and then drunkenly joy ride them around before setting fire to them. Who cares if Britain's greatest cultural and historical treasures found in it's churches are all lost and destroyed eh? And as for global warming then I wonder how excited Clarkson and his wealthy chums will be seeing how fast 'The Stig' can get around a track that's 20 feet below the sea.....

Tom Ronan, Perth, Western Australia

Ahh, well then. Mr Limbaugh's rhetoric has reached your shores. When Rush had a TV show, he would show news footage of snow storms to prove there was no global warming. That was during the 90's. Sadly, Mr. Clarkson takes this tired old tripe and rehashes it. I say sadly because he makes several other good points. But he tries to do too much here. He could have easily skewered the church (any church really), but decides to press on against the Loony Left. Apparently in England, that means environmentalists.

I understand we have different views that need airing, but culling old American (has Clarkson really become a radical right Yank's mouthpiece???) tripe to aid his arguments doesn't do anything for him.

Larry Herrmann, Oceanside, CA/USA

Amen, Jeremy. You have hit the proverbial "nail on the head" once again!

Why don't all churchmen adopt vows of poverty, sell all their worldly possessions and use the proceeds to fund as what they perceive as God's works rather than rely upon the poor chaps who really can't afford it? Oh yeah, because it is much more comfortable for the priestly class to live in palatial estates surrounded by artistic masterpieces, and to have the masses do as they say, not as they do. Such blatant hypocrisy makes me want to re-read Voltaire once again.

Besides, the whole of the scientifically literate class knows anthropogenic Global warming is pure political science, not hard science. So until the Anglican Church is willing to fully embrace and promote the science of Evolution, it should keep its nose out of other areas of science. It cannot pick and choose the science it likes just when it's convenient.

Scott, Durham, NC, USA

I seem to recall Hitler was a Catholic and certainly used his background to incite hatred against others. The world would be a much better place without religion.

Mike Ansell, Reading, Berkshire

To Andrew Hammerschmiedt of Coventry ..... Pedantic indeed ! There is nothing grammatically wrong with Mrs Miggins's front room.

Roger, Wolverhampton, UK

Clarkson is right to rasie the subject of how religion is treated in society. I am not religious but I do not object to those who enjoy it. However I object strongly to the HMRC taking 40% of my salary, then 17.5% (or more) of my purchases when there are so many tax breaks for religious institutes. I have a friend who lives in a church hose where they pay no rates, yet they have to pay board at the local going rate. That is an abuse.

Richard Groke, Beverley, East Yorks

Hey Jeremy,
Read all of Your readers 110 comments and have taken an
opinion poll about your article and here's the results.

Agree 43, Disagree 45, Out of the box 19 and Funny 3

Very few from this side of the pond. Interesting reaction to
your writing. I find, by their comments a latent form of anger in
their thoughts; by those that agree with you though.

New World Reader, San Antonio, USA / Texas

"unfortunately it is not the Archbishop of Canterbury's opinion on Global Warming so much as the entire scientific community's that Jeremy Clarkson needs to consider. Only an idiot would choose to ignore the compelling evidence of possible - but avertable - disaster through climate change .."

Who is this person who states that the entire scientific community's opinion is for anthropogenic climate change? It's a political consensus that has little to do with science - very little actually. Try Thinking for yourself! Take that media drip out of your arm and allow your brain to digest something other than media hysteria. Look deeper into it - get some factual "Facts" - not the AlGorian facts. Only an idiot would choose to accept the evidence of politicians/bent scientists and the media. Read "Scared to Death" by Booker and North for a start - that gives loads of references for further reading. Nice one Jeremy - wish there were more like you. :-)

Paula, East Yorkshire, UK

Poring scorn on the views of others is easy, isn't Mr Clarkson, and undoubtedly very lucrative, as your lifestyle attests. You have missed the point, either deliberately or because it doesn' t suit your own agenda. Global warming will affect the poorest folk in the poorest countries most. Eventually it will have a knock on effect on those of us luck to live in rich nations as those people migrate. A few border guards and the odd Lighting stuck in ones front "garden" will not protect us or more importantly our children in the end. Possible not a worry for the self centred amongst us. We are meant to be the most intelligent species that ever roamed this planet perhaps we should start acting like that.
PS I still love Top Gear. The funniest programme on our sadly depleted viewing schedules.
PPS Mr May as the voice of reason seems to be the butt of the jokes. Maybe that explains it all!

Brian May, Cilgerran, Uk

Maybe it would just be easier for no one to care whether there is a God or not and still try to help the enviornment - whilst it would appear that the comments of the clergy have not been well received - and understandbly they could do much more to help those that are in real need do the comments really matter.

We have sufficient enough evidence that we could do more for the planet - and I don't agree with all the scare tactics and hype the damage we are causing I suspect is more slow working than we are often led to believe - but all said and told it is damage all the same.

So how about we ask the church to stop talking - and we all make and effort just to do the right thing?

After all every person has a choice to be a good or bad person, irrespective of religion

Dominic Lambert, Witham, Essex, UK

Religion yes, the Truth of the Bible, NO, faith in Christ is /was the driving force for the majority of good done in the world, most of the main scientific advancements throughtout recent history were achieved by `Christian `scientists, (evolutionary ideas are of course not true science). Mr Clarkson only knows of religion not the Real Christ of the Bible. (remember mans opinions are of no consequence measured against the absolute truth of the bible).

Michael, Tandragee,

Religion has brought nothing but intolerance and mayhem to the world.

-It's time to abolish religion once and for all. Adolf Hitler was religious, btw.

Johne Edder de Lima Hilário, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I think he's right, but only because so much in the name of religion has been hijacked by politicians - with armies. What he has identified is politics masquerading as religion. So much religion reflects the nature of the society that maintains it.

John Castleford, Harborough, Leics, UK

Is Jeremy Clarkson now joining the ranks of the hatetheists?
He has a very jaundiced view of the C of E, which provides a centre of community in thousands of towns and villages up and down the land, helps the poor and inspires all sorts of social good works. But Clarkson just pours vinegar over all this so he can cock a few sneers at Rowan Williams.

I'm a Catholic, not an Anglican, so I have my own reservations about the C of E. But they are maintaining - at great expense - many of our finest architectural buildings - the great cathedrals and parish churches - which form our townscapes, and which would not have existed by for the Christian - mostly the Catholic - religion.

"The world would be no worse if religion were abolished" - violent militant Islam perhaps? But your godless atheistic regimes killed 85-110 million in the communist countries. How does Clarkson add up 1.5 +7.5 + [x ]million = 809 million. I challenge him to list and prove the other 800 million.

Rev Dr F. Marsden, Chorley, England

While in an Asian airport waiting to depart on a long flight back to the USA I bought your book - TWATC - Vol. 2. Never heard of you and I spent 20 pounds which is about $423 in USA currency. Reading it made my journey bearable. Actually I laughed quite often. I am so happy that a link off the Drudge Report sent me to your page and offered me another opportunity to laugh. I am currently trying to use my grill after a snowy December - 29" in the Boston USA area. I blame this weather on the Arch Bishop of Canterbury. I used to think it was Al Gore but now I see it's a worldwide problem. We need faster cars and more CO2 to help the plant life grow. Because of global warming there are deer in the back yard eating my ornimental bushes. I'd pop 'em and eat 'em but hunting season is over. The dream of grilled venison will remain but a dream. (I'm going to buy a Dodge Viper right after New Year).

Mondoray, Greater Boston Area, Taxachusetts, USA

For what it's worth Clarkson, you've just found yourself a new fan. Now if only you would embrace the smart car....

hfdu, Reigate,

Good for you. Brilliant to read such common sense. Thankyou for saying it all so thoroughly

ana, cheltenham, UK

On balance I have always found my relationship with God to have a slightly more long term warming effect than a patio heater! If in years gone by I had been a hell fire type of preacher, rather than trusting in the grace and mercy of God kind a guy, I may even have been tempted to suggest that Jeremy has a lot more than the heat of a patio heater to concern himself about in the next life- Come on Jeremy get a real life more abundant in 2008

Timothy Blake, Basildon,

Great stuff Jeremy - perhaps you should start your own religion?
But be careful what you wish for!

At the last Census, a load of us declared our religion to be "Jedi" - and allegedly did enough Jedi's thus create an OFFICIAL religion, in the eyes of Her Majesty's Government.

Unfortunately, it's all backfired - Yes, "The Force" is with us, but it's usually armed with a Speed Camera.

So may the force not be with you!

Gelert, In a distant galaxy, far, far away (OK then, Bicester UK)

Amen to Mr. Clarkson!

Louise, Liverpool,

Clarkson :"Meanwhile, I reckon the number of people killed over the years by religious wars is around 809m."

Religion has often be used as a pretext for war, but the usual underlying motive is not religious: rather greed for power. In anycase if God exists, and I think Clarkson may be presuming that he doesn't, then there is no better reason to go to war than against His enemies, so long as we love and pray for them first.

This is just a bit more stirring up of the secular against the religious, but by someone just copying the masters, such as Dawkins.

Anyway, the real question is whether God exists, and does He want us going to church. Clarkson needs to address that before he abolishes religion. But he'll have a tough time: no one has proven the non-existence of God, and it's atheists saying that there is no evidence of his existence. Meanwhile religious believers claim that He proves His own existence to each individual if persistently asked, trumping the agnostic.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

I agree with the writer in the sense that I don't need religion to be a nice person. If I pay my taxes, help an old person to cross the street and line up in the post office if there is a queue then I needn't to have the religion around me. Religion is a primitive man's need and it is bound to be fade away day by day.

erhan erdag, balikesir,

100% agree with you, Jeremy.

Religion is the root of all evil.

Not God, mind you, which (who) has nothing to do with organized religion and even less to do with the "holy" church.

Gustavo, Newport Beach, USA / California

Jeremy quite clearly does have a religion - himself and his own lucrative self image as an erudite plain-speaking buffoon - which as in this case sometimes go beyond parody and amusement into just plain oafishness.

Perhaps he should ask himself why all those born with a moral compass chose to kill and die for religions in the numbers he cites. Or maybe when he refers to people born with a moral compass he actually means 'people born with my moral compass'.

I was given a box set of his work for Xmas and I've got to say he is basically a one trick pony, well maybe a half a dozen trick pony, trotting out the same pieces and opinons endlessly recycled in what he would probably cheerily admit is a cyncial rip-off of those who are foolish enough to pay and read him.

Thompson, Stevenage,

This Times article expresses a devastating view of religion with a special condemnation of the Church of England.

I am especially struck by the endorsement of a view that has previously appalled me: the Archbishop is a hypocrite "Who campaignes for gay rights but wouldn't actually appoint a homosexual as a bishop." He is not making that appointment because he is playing a numbers game with his African constituents, not on the basis of a moral or even a theological judgement. To lose the Africans would diminish his membership numbers to the point of saying that the Church of England is essentially "abolished".

The author of this article speaks for me in many ways; but, he is theoretically and practically wrong to say "the world would be no worse if religion were abolished".

Bill, Alabama, USA

Well done Jeremy for taking on two religions at once, Christianity and human induced Global Warming. To claim that there is universal scientific agreement that humans and C02 are causing global warming is just not true. The earth has been cooling since 2000 and it is far more likely that the whole thing is a natural cycle like previous cycles that caused the Roman warm period and the little ice age to name just two. Many Solar scientists are predicting that we're in for a cooling future given what the sun is up to at the moment, and I trust them far more than the politically driven IPCC, or the insanity driven Archbishop.

Nick, Melbourne, australia

"I genuinely believe we are born with a moral compass and we don’t need it reset every Sunday morning by some weird-beard communist in a dress."

So is your problem with Christianity (i.e. Catholicism) or Socialism? Is a Milton Keynes hoodie born with a moral compass that doesn't need resetting? If our moral compass is so reliable can we do without laws as well? Should we abolish every form of government and every culture that has seen war? How do we do so in a non-violent way? Isn't this article a form of preaching?

The author doth protest too much, methinks.

Kevin, London,

When you think about it, atheists only exist because God exists. As GK Chesterton said: "If there were no God, there would be no atheists."

Interesting viewpoint Vincent.

Let's take that logic a little further shall we? Then we'll see that if there were no god there would be no murderers, rapists or child molesters either.

Phew. Lucky thing we have god eh??

Sharman Karosvicek, Sheffield,

A bit of a cheek with a smoker criticising the religious. After all, both make you poorer unless you are a supplier, are illogical, have major detrimental effects even on those who are not users and have killed untold millions. The only difference is that we no longer have smoking stuffed down our throats all the time. How long before the same goes for religions?

Whether global warming is a reality and, even if so, it is caused by human excess is still up for proof. I must admit to a few doubts as weather forecasters can't even tell me what it is going to be like in 24 hours.

Derek Smith, Brighton, UK

Good on ya Clarkson! AT long last someone (in public notice) has guts to say whats REAL.
Now if only you'd like to become Prime Minister, maybe this country could go back to being Great Britian!.

Eve Arnold, Edinburgh, Scotland

"Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist that there is no God."
--- Heywood Broun (1888 - 1939)

When you think about it, atheists only exist because God exists. As GK Chesterton said: "If there were no God, there would be no atheists."

Webmaster/Editor: Catholic Messages USA

Vincent Bemowski, Appleton, USA - Wisconsin

Hey Jeremy; what about, "... through the windscreen, through the Pearly Gates and be half way across God's breakfast table"

Huh? Huh? Eh?

David, Pemberton, Canada

I think the whole basis of this article is stupid. He sounds like he is against religion and for global warming. What he is doing is trying to be provocative and sell papers. Suppose religion was abolished? Well, it would be one thing if it were abolished by decree from above, which has been attempted and usually failed. It would be another thing if people somehow outgrew it. But maybe people need to have respect for and faith in something beyond conscious understanding, some benevolent force. If you look at our current understanding of the universe is this such a bad thing? It doesn't have to be a God. You might just believe that we are part of the universe and have a certain faith that what Christians call the Kingdom of God can be created in this universe. What you wish to call this Kingdom is up to you.

Christopher Hobe Morrison, Pine Bush, Ulster County, NY, USA

As much as I agree with JC I feel he has missed a key argument.

Why exactly does Williams care about the environment as a xtian. Surely his time on earth is merely transitory until he gets his reward in the afterlife. What does he care if the ecology of the planet collapses and results in the widespread death of humankind. Surely this would just mean that there was more chocolate icecream to share in heaven.

He should be welcoming 4x4s as a means to attaining rapture, the same way as nukes would have. Let us face facts, the guy believes that some supernatural fairy controls our lives so surely when the planet is on the point of collapse his god wil pop along and save the believers, problem solved.

At least all of athiests will be experiencing a warming of sorts.

Stewart, Preston,

Well I see where you're coming from, but unless your religion calls for death of all those who aren't on "that side of the line" then sure. Otherwise, you cannot put it all down to religion. Most condone peace, people however, just seem to do what they want in the name of it. Even if we were all one race, with the same beliefs morals and motives, same gender and sexuality, there would still be differences, which we won't seem to do any better then to fight about- somewhere. And its because we're individuals. God made us that way. (not that he condones us fighting anyway) :)

Jenee, London,

Clarkson the voice of the real man? That brings Sid Viscious's quote to mind...

Sean, Manchester,

All very entertaining - only unfortunately it is not the Archbishop of Canterbury's opinion on Global Warming so much as the entire scientific community's that Jeremy Clarkson needs to consider. Only an idiot would choose to ignore the compelling evidence of possible - but avertable - disaster through climate change because of an attachment to 4x4s and patio heaters.

EB, leeds,

Archbishop's tongue, so glibly green,
Sees whereof our sins are glean.
Perhaps the truth, so oft unseen,
Occurs at home where tis always been.

John Bentz, Detroit, Michigan

I somewhat agree, only i think it would be better if it were abolished. I say this because religion like race is a huge factor in discrimination, no matter what religion it is people do immoral things to others based on religious beliefs. I also believe that larger religions have a total hold on our world, especially in America... look at the presidents, and the current candidates.

Josh Williams, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Brilliant!!

I'm leaping aboard the Jeremy for PM bandwagon!!

Emily, London,

J Clarkson will say anything to justify driving his low kilometres per litre cars and trucks. If I had the money and fancy car, I would too! At least until I die or the worlds gas supply ran out.

Evan Devine, Orillia, Canada

As long as they include the new religions aswell.......

neoconservetism,

Oh lord of the of the basic instinct.

Win and defeat. Amen

M walker, Nr worcs, worcs

Brilliant Jeremy. Rowan Wlliams and his ilk remind me of classmates who you just knew would end up in some weird job and have to wear long frocks and fancy jewelry in order to make their presence felt. Religion in todays world is the fetid stench of all the deaths and suffering in "Gods" name since time inmemorium. To be lectured by anyone in its pay is offensive.

Chris, Aberdeen,

""it's worth pointing out that belief in climate change is no longer the preserve of the 'looney left' - it's been taken up as one the main causes of Cameron's Tories""

I've heard Global Warming blamed for everything...but blame it for the Tories?

Phill, The Wirral, England

And this from the man who has a, scrapped by the RAF, lightning fighter adorning his backyard. I agree with some of his sentiments, but Clarkson the scientist??? giving us his opinion on the reality or otherwise of global warming?

It's enough to make one weep

Derrick, MK, UK

Jeremy, I read your column with enthusiasm and and enjoyment every Sunday - after returning from a Church of England service. You are absolutely right to criticize the bishops - they really are a complete waste of space - but not the real grassroots Christian church. Without it, we Brits would be uneducated, illiberal and living in miserable poverty.

David , Cheltenham, UK

The Archbishop of York lives in a modest flat situated in the upper corner of the old palace, the rest of the building is open as a museum. This article sounds like a bit of a rant. Does Clarkson really care about the environment, the homeless or truth?

John, York, UK

I definitely enjoy reading Jeremy's views. A lot of people seem to believe in god 'just in case' he exists but surely that's not a good enough reason. I'm not religious but I am a good person and care about the world and I believe in people.

Sarah, London,

Sometimes I just thank God that I'm an atheist .

Gordon Fulthorpe M.D., Dundas, Ontario, Canada

You forgot to point out that global warming is also a much better future for us than global cooling. In the 1970s the scientific consenus was the opposite to what it is now as they all predicted a global cool-down. But warming is far better than cooling! If you want a problem then try living underneath a 1km thick glacier! Thankfully, global warming will save us from a new glacial phase.

Glaciation is the nightmare, not global warming.

Richard, Wales, Swansea,

I know that The Archbishop of York lives in a little flat above the old palace, the palace is open as a museum. Check your facts Dr Clarkson.

John, York, UK

Funny in places I grant you, but mainly a petulant rant Mr. C. You take umbrage at Arch B's comments yet retaliate likewise -displaying a limited knowledge of your subject matter and laying the blame for the world's woes squarely at the door of 'them others' (in this case religious nutters), making sweeping generalisations as you do so. Religion has long been a poor disguise used by mankind for self gain, but surely you're big enough not to tar everyone with the same brush and give God a quick kick while you're at it? Your view is sadly tainted. True Christianity is about unconditional love, extravagant grace, boundless forgiveness, unquestioning acceptance and freedom of choice. Who wouldn't want that for society?! Seems the only unacceptable lifestyle in our PC mad country is that of a believer in a God beyond the realms of human understanding. Remind me again who the bigots are...

Tara, Nottingham,

What oft was thought and ne'er so well expressed!

Malc, Bowdon, England

Clarkson as a scientist could be disastrous, not to mind as a social moralist. We all saw what happened when an amateur goes into the field of experts, as happened when The Hamster tried to break a record. Funny how this has been the fourteenth record breakingly hot year in a row, sodden as it was (refer to Met Eireann for details). Britain is currently fighting a war of resources in Iraq; fewer resources (food, water, fuel) means more war. Would Clarkson be so confident as to holiday in Baghad, to get a taste of the future? And it would be a good idea to take his followers with him.

Sue, Waterford, Ireland

Mr Clarkson, I think I love you.

IanF, London,

I find it difficult to take this one of Clarkson's rants seriously and unfortuntely it devalues his other opinions which I can no longer have any respect for.

The UK's churchs leaders do not all live in palaces and are not excesively rich for the size of organisation that they run. They are looking at selling off some of the palaces off to raise more cash.

While in any year the weather in any one country may or not be more extreme the number of unusual events and world records is dramatically rising.

If we all adopt Clarksons attitude towards China and the USA then no one is ever going to start to tackle a global problem so lets all go down the tube together. I do not worry about myself, but for my grandchildren and generations to come.

So its alright to steal from Churches. If people did not steal then I am sure that the churches would stay open for respite as the used to.

The motives of the Archbishop were for the benefit of others unlike Clarksons selfish rant.

Ian, Harrogate,

The 21st century religions have already been born, with the following characteristics:

1. Great leaders who you cannot criticise.....
2. Social gatherings which hoover up to 10% of your wages in tithes....
3. Naughty little lies perpetuated as great redeeming truths.....
4. A promise of better things to come, no matter how crap things look at the moment......
5. An intolerance of those not of the same faith, although there are degrees of intolerance from petty goading to absolute blackballing depending on the differences perceived....
6. Money as the driving force for all the great leaders....

God, Jesus etc were useful larceny tools for a couple of millenia, unfortunately the mask is now wearing thin.

But new masks have emerged and, for the moment at least, people are still just as gullible as they were 2000 years ago.

It's just that they are gullible over other things.........

Rhys Jaggar, Leeds, UK

Jeremy

Thank you for bringing the matter of patio heaters to public attention. Try putting 'LPG surplus' into google and you will find plenty of material about the estimated 4 million ton unsold surplus LPG produced every year in the North Sea alone. What happens to it? It is burnt off at the refineries so it actually makes more sense to do something useful with it and use it in patio heaters. Keep up the good work!

Bob Henson, Ulverston, UK

If anyone could breath entertaining new life into climate change scepticism, it's Clarkson....

Setting up the archbishop as a straw man for an ad hominem attack, and throwing in a few cherry-picked anecdotes about local weather.

Maybe next week JC can employ the full force of his logic and intellect to attack Darwin and put paid to this silly evolution myth?

T Kitchin, Bedford,

ahem, better off actually.

paul, london, uk

Jezza,

Please tell me you have read Richard Dawkins God Delusion, as it seems you have managed to condense the entire book into one page.

As always you manage to wind up the 'hard of thinking' without too much difficulty, and noticably in this instance our American cousins more than most.

And to all those who say you can't abolish religion I believe QE1 tried that with Protestantism didn't she, oh and she was a Catholic.

In the case of Hitler et al. they were generally all mad, which accounts for their crimes. Religion doesn't require you to be mad to commit the same, just to have faith!

Paul, Swansea,

Just brilliant. Williams, a man of intellect - I think not. A man of intellect would not allow his life to be sidetracked by a facile tissue of obvious lies. He may know a lot - but that is something different. A lot of fools know a lot.

Steve, Cambridge,

just like to say wll done to jc and the times, good to hear some sense about all this religouse nonsense that will probably get us all killed anyway
cheers from a man with no god but himself.

craig, kings hill, england

Dear Jeremy

I love you and I want to have your baby. My boyfriend sends his greetings and says the same goes for him. Even though none of us have a drivers licence or a patio heater.

M, DK,

Thank you Jeremy. Not bad. To Becca of Bath may I say that 750,000 on line rather than with their families probably means 250,000 families on line together. Not a recipe for harmony it is true, but argueing together is what families do is it not?
As for the people in the Phillipines with no shoes, the main reason they have no shoes is that they are told by their main brand of religious nutter, the catholics, that even if your children have no shoes god wants you to have more and more and more children. It is no accident that the world over overpopulation and hunger coincide with extreme religion telling people not to practise contraception. Those who have such power over the minds of simple, needy folk and who deny them a solution to their plight have a great deal more to answer for than the occasional westerner smoking under a patio heater.

D.L> Stephens, York, England

Sorry to spoil the effect of your article but you cannot expect to be taken seriously if you get facts wrong. Bishops do not live in vast palaces with banqueting halls, churches are used for many social services and many have shelters for the homeless. Stop being lazy and sort the facts out. Because religion is part of a violent situation does not mean that religion caused the situation, sometimes yes, sometimes no.
This constant droning on about not being religious has become a bore. I am an anglican priest but I do not enter a party proclaiming that I am religious. My eldest son is an atheist, his two younger brothers are the opposite, we each enjoy Christmas in our own way and feel no need to batter the other with our view point. Even my eldest is fed up of hearing people project rediculously fundamentalist opinions onto his family.

Battersby David, Bampton, Oxon

"Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Tito, and Gengis Kahn all despised religion just as Jeremy does here in this article. I believe they were responsible for quite a few deaths, were they not?"

DT you may be right if any of these people did what they did in the name of atheism. They did not (Hitler was a Catholic by the way). What they did all have in common however, were millions of credulous supporters and a meek population become so from centuries of tedious religious indoctrination. Besides that you seem to be saying that religion can't be that bad if it has resulted in only as many deaths as Nazism or Stalinism. Now that doesn't really seem to me to be a particularly praiseworthy achievement.

James, London, UK

How exactly does one go about abolishing religion? And how many would die in the process?

Richard Heslop, Lompoc, USA

Brilliant piece.

Hilarious as ever and at the same time a few good points made for reflection/discussion

Keyvan, Sydney, Australia

Mukesh Shah, you are so right.

JJ, Toronto,

Jeremy, the glaciers are melting in the Alps, in Chile, in Kashmir and in Greenland. I agree that God isn't to blame for that. We're also running out of oil, which is not God's fault. But if He won't protect our future, who will? A snarky news columnist? I am not reassured.

Alan Unsworth, Rochester, USA/New York

Should be circulated to schools as set reading for GCSE

Jon, Bath, UK

Jeremy is right that Rowan is a nuts, but abolishing religion is not the answer to stop the problems of the world. Jeremy's proposal is a bit late, too. Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Tito, and Gengis Kahn all despised religion just as Jeremy does here in this article. I believe they were responsible for quite a few deaths, were they not? It doesn't surprise me that this type of pedestrian commentary is coming from a talking head from an auto TV show - or from the U.K. The rest of the world needs moral lessons from the U.K. and their B-list TV presenters -- not.

DT, Frankfurt, Germany

As usual, I wish Jeremy would stop beating about the bush, and say what he thinks.
I'm pretty envious about the patio heater, my tight-fisted publican hasn't provided us with one yet; and I wonder if the medical bores up there in Scotland will shortly be confessing to a 20% rise in hospital admissions for pneumonia since their own smoking ban, to compensate for their claimed drop in heart attacks.
I've already got my eye on our cathedral in St. Albans; what a splendid and central multi-storey carpark it will make, come the day - sort of Tesco "rural" superstore, with altitude.

MikeM, St. Albans, England

Jeremy is right that Rowan is a nutter, but abolishing religion is not the answer to stop the problems of the world. Jeremy's proposal is a bit late, too. Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Tito, and Gengis Kahn all despised religion just as Jeremy does here in this article. I believe they were responsible for quite a few deaths, were they not? It doesn't surprise me that this type of pedestrian commentary is coming from a talking head from an auto TV show - or the relatively godless UK. As if the rest of the world needs moral lessons from the U.K. and their B-list TV presenters.

DT, Frankfurt, Germany

Jeremy for President.

Voice of the real man.

Well done.

Robin, Alicante,

What is Jeremy doing working for The Times? He would make a great press secretary for Hugo Chavez or Kim Jung Ill.

RT, Wiesbaden, Germany

Religion may be useful to somebody who needs (moral) support if they are more sensitive to it than to other available forms of support. I don't believe in god, neither I can prove he doesn't exist. I don't want to abolish religion, just I don't want it to change my life for the worst, if I don't want it (taxes, corruption etc). There is good and bad everywhere, but it's not constructive to criticise something to justify something else. As far as what the archbishop said about global warming is concerned, there is a 'good' part of the message to be kept. As far as his 'authority' to lecture us, he should have no more power than anyone else expressing their very personal opinion. Corrupt people 'oppress' in small (or big) pills and somebody does it by polluting excessively without paying for the remedial actions necessary, others by making decisions on your behalf and spending your money on things useful to them in the name of whatever excuse...

me, Hull,

Here in America we have a clear discrimination against atheists. It seems like not believing in god is not within the tolerance span of an average American.

Rodion, Bloomfield Hills, USA

To Murray of Theydon Bois: yes, evolution does explain mankind's and other animals' development. Certainly not any mythical magic man in the sky. And in answer to the religious question of where life originated on earth: liken the Earth spinning in a universe able to receive any living organisms from space and sustain life to a freshly tilled field. If you visit that field in a year's time would you really expect it to be still just soil or have all sorts of vegetation growing in it? The fact is it is inconceivable for an environment that is able to sustain life to be not sustaining life, with no barriers to that life being deposited here.

Nigel Davies, Manchester, England

I am slightly left-leaning on many issues. But Jeremy is spot on regarding global warming. The odd thing is that Tory leaders in Europe, UK and California also seem to think Global Warming is a vote winner. In my view it just shows that politicians , and clergy , are intellectually lazy.

Oscar Hillgaar, Sandefjord,

Of course, Clarkson employs science when it suits him and ignores it when it doesn't.

Science, on one hand, shows us that the existence of a supernatural God is highly improbable but then provides