Doesn't mean I find the fact that so many people believe in myths and fairy stories any less startling though. I can understand why they might want to think that, for that reason and that reason only (the fear of the unknown), but I still think it's slightly crazy.

If I came along and said that there was a 6 headed talking snake under my desk some people would rightly question my me; there is no difference with believing in an all seeing, all knowing man in the sky, who in the words of George Carlin, "Always needs money."

strut moves on dance floor -> merk bint upon arrival -> go back to dancing.

Due to his lack of posting I assume Cora has either killed himself or is on his way to Blackburn to kill Keane.

It's something that people want to do, it's something that they might enjoy doing. I wouldn't laugh at someone for volunteering at a Church or a Mosque or a Synagogue, I know some of these places do good work for their community.

Your pat on the back is in the post.

strut moves on dance floor -> merk bint upon arrival -> go back to dancing.

Due to his lack of posting I assume Cora has either killed himself or is on his way to Blackburn to kill Keane.

Doesn't mean I find the fact that so many people believe in myths and fairy stories any less startling though. I can understand why they might want to think that, for that reason and that reason only (the fear of the unknown), but I still think it's slightly crazy.

If I came along and said that there was a 6 headed talking snake under my desk some people would rightly question my me; there is no difference with believing in an all seeing, all knowing man in the sky, who in the words of George Carlin, "Always needs money."

You can buy all the fancy houses you want, we still remember you in a bath covered in ketchup for a free copy of CSI.

That is quite a bleak world view there Denster though I suspect its just the way you put it. I think the fact that the human mind even has the ability to comprehend its own existence is quite a comforting thought whether or not its the result of a creative force. If anything the lack of a creator makes us even more unique.

I do pity you if this is all you can see in life. I do genuinely pity that you're not more open to possibilities.

You're agreat guy denny, But your post there really ... Bullshit in my opinion mate.

I am not a religious man, I simply believe in God. As for the Big Bang theory, it's fake I'm afraid. Can't believe in that. Way too simple and it doesn't even make sense, if everything blew up then how could it exist? Those people on the Internet should have thought of that when they came up with the Big bang theory. Besides there would have to be a god, the world is too great for it not to be.

Some nutters say that there is no evidence for god but there clearly is, it's everywhere, we see it everyday. It's those little things in life that make the world so great. Not just things like the birds whistling in the morning, those beautiful sunsets or a warm breezy wind on a summers day, but things like drinking some Carling™, eating Coco Pops™ on toast, reading The Sun® and about to watch some real American wrestling. Deep in everyone's hearts, we all really believe in God.

Im sorry you feel that way - although you're pity would be far better applied elsewhere. As i have said. This is not a bleak outlook. I love life and love my life but dont need the additional support that it has to mean something in the grand scheme of things. I accept that my life is just on of billions and the universe will not notice when i have gone. Thats self awareness and its a marvellous thing. Far more miraculous to me than myths and ancient chinese whispers dressed up as fact.

An Italian comedienne who said that Pope Benedict XVI would go to Hell and be tormented by homosexual demons is facing a prison term of up to five years.

Addressing a Rome rally in July, Sabrina Guzzanti warmed up with a few gags about Silvio Berlusconi — her favourite target for her biting impressions — before moving on to some unrepeatable jokes about Mara Carfagna, the Equal Opportunities Minister and one-time topless model.

But then she got religion, and after warning everyone that within 20 years Italian teachers would be vetted and chosen by the Vatican, she got to the punchline: "But then, within 20 years the Pope will be where he ought to be — in Hell, tormented by great big poofter devils, and very active ones, not passive ones."

The joke may have gone done well with her crowd on the Piazza Navona in Rome, but not with Italian prosecutors. She is facing prosecution for "offending the honour of the sacred and inviolable person" of Benedict XVI.

The Christian world may have been dismayed, even outraged, at the Muslim reaction in 2005 to Danish cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammed, but Italian law enforcement appears to have had its own sense of humour failure. Giovanni Ferrara, the Rome prosecutor, is invoking the 1929 Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Vatican, which stipulates that an insult to the Pope carries the same penalty as an insult to the Italian President. Prosecution requires authorisation from the Ministry of Justice, for which Mr Ferrara has applied.

The incident has strong political overtones as Mr Berlusconi has been at pains to court the Vatican — and the Catholic vote — since returning to power for the third time in May. Last weekend he accompanied Benedict to Cagliari in Sardinia and attended mass there.

The July rally was called to protest against alleged interference by the Vatican and the Catholic Church in Italian affairs, from abortion to gay rights, but also to attack the Prime Minister for passing "ad personam" laws to protect his own interests and avoid prosecution on corruption allegations.

Mr Berlusconi, who owns Italy's three main commercial television channels and as Prime Minister also wields influence over RAI, the state broadcaster, has been accused by the Left of using his media power to muzzle critics and satirists.

Three years ago Ms Guzzanti released a widely praised film, Viva Zapatero!, about the suppression in 2003 of her late night show RAIot in which she had satirised the Italian Prime Minister. At the 2005 Venice International Film Festival Viva Zapatero! was given an ovation.

The move to prosecute her over her anti-papal remarks was praised by some on the centre Right, including Luca Volonte, a Christian Democrat, who said that "gratuitous insults must be punished".

However, many people were strongly critical. Paolo Guzzanti, Ms Guzzanti's father and a centre Right MP, said the move was "a return to the Middle Ages”.

"Perhaps my daughter should be submitted to the judgement of God by being made to walk on hot coals," he added.

Antonio Di Pietro, a senator and former anti-corruption magistrate, who organised the rally, said that Ms Guzzanti had only "exercised her constitutional right to freedom of thought.

"You can agree or not agree with what she said — and personally I didn't — but to put people in prison for what they think is reminiscent of a time when those who thought differently had castor oil poured down their throats" — a reference to the Fascist era, when the Laterna Treaty was enacted.

Dario Fo, the Nobel prize-winning playwright, said that applying the treaty more widely would even have led to the prosecution of Dante, since "he put a Pope in the Inferno as well, namely Boniface VIII". Marco Travaglio, a left-wing writer who also addressed the July rally, said: "At this rate Aristophanes and Rabelais would have ended up in prison for being satirists."

Even certain sections of the Church are unimpressed. Father Bartolomeo Sorge, a Jesuit scholar, told La Repubblica the move to prosecute Ms Guzzanzi was incomprehensible. "We Christians put up with many insults, it is part of being a Christian, as is forgiveness. I feel sure the Pope has already forgiven those who insulted him on Piazza Navona."

Condemned to Hell by Dante

Dante’s Inferno condemned Boniface VIII to Hell even before his death. As Dante approaches the circle of those sinners who have committed simony – the buying and selling of church offices – the soul of Pope Nicholas III mistakes Dante for Boniface:

“Shame of the Papal Chair! and art thou come,
Hollow and dismal from the fiery tomb,”
He cried – “a later doom the Prophet told –
But come, Seducer of the Spouse of God,
Who rul’d the christian world with iron rod,
Come! thine eternal revenues behold!”

Translation: Henry Boyd

Are you religious?