I enjoyed your piece and will remember the wise quote "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence". However, I do feel this should be used with realism or we may all still believing in trolls, fairies and pink elephants. Having an open mind is a blessing but not to the extent that our brains fall out.

I have read "The God Delusion" and agree with Fergal Walsh's post on November 10th, 2006 12:22 am. Richard Dawkins does say that he wishes not to offend religous people and hope that they will continue to read the book. He writes with passion about his thoughts that may offend or some may infer his view is absolute but this is not the case.

I don't believe he did step over the mark. I do believe that it is time that religion makes it case as science is continually doing not not rely on belief.