Personally, I am an atheist- I honestly believe in doing 'good', but I dont do good to avoid 'hell' I do it because I want to... Good and intelligent people can be very devout... what I was referring to were those that think mindlessly mouthing prayers is all they need to do with their lives.

I have known far to many 'devout' people that think mouthing the scripture and prayers are enough... They think they can be as nasty and vile as they like, but if they flatter god and go to church every sunday then they are somehow holy... (apparently Keith is one of THOSE morons).

If god is so shallow that all god cares about is flattery, well then that is a pretty petty and disgusting god. Getting a degree in the sciences takes years of personal sacrifice, only those that love the struggle at some level will do it.

In short, Tom, I have known many devout people that I have respected immensely- BECAUSE THEY LIVED THEIR FAITH. but I have known far many more that just mouthed the scriptures and prayed and outside of church were vile human beings.

I dont have a problem with those that have one of the many different faiths... I DO think those that dont live their faith and just go through the ritual motions to avoid hell are MORONS.