> I have for quite some time believed in the existence of a higher power
> following my reading of a book about science and religion by Frank
> Tipler.  Through watching the local Christian TV channel Shine TV I
> have come to the realisation that what they are teaching has resonance
> with my own life and purpose for existing.  I have not been
> brainwashed and I still believe in science, especially evolution and
> the Big Bang theory and there are only a few areas where I disagree
> with Christians such as abortion and euthanasia, both of which I think
> are okay.

Religion evolved from the minds of men. It is a man made concept and
only exists within the realm of our mind. There is no physical
evidence of the existence of any higher power. It is 100% inside our
own heads.

> I believe that the idea of you soul existing beyond your physical
> existence is an old one, possibly going back tens of thousands of
> years.  Note that I disbelieve the interpretations of the Bible that
> the Earth is only 6,000 years old.

Religion was created at first to explain things our ancestors could
not explain or comprehend. Later it was organised to become an
instrument of govt to control people and keep them in their place.

> > In history what was the role of organised religion? Who has
> > controlled religion throughout history? Note that it has always
> > been very organised.  What happened to those who did not follow
> > the religious instructions?

In history the state and religion have always had a very close
existence. Religion is a state controlled (sanctioned) method of crowd
control.

Bear in mind most people throughout history were poor and basically
had very hard lives. Religion was a way to keep them quiet, not to
question too much their lot in life( and paying taxes etc) by
promising them riches after they were dead and eternal damnation if
they did not follow the "rules".

In short it was and still is the biggest con in the history of the
world.

> > Who meted out the punishments? In whose authority? Who gave them that
> > authority and how did they obtain it?
> > What role do you think religion plays today?

Men who had the most to loose meted out the punishment, i.e Church
people and Govt people. Authority was from other men, their peers and
masters and no one else.

> The purpose of religion is to tell us how we should conduct
> ourselves, especially towards other people.  And we should also use
> our abilities to serve God and not to serve ourselves.

As above the purpose of religion is too keep people quiet and not
question why they had shit lives and those in the castle had riches
beyond theirs.

Think of the 10 commandments: Thou shall not covert thy neighbours ox.

> When Christians pray to their God I am not sure if there is anyone
> listening, but whether or not this is true is not important. Prayer,
> like meditation helps the prayer to verbalise their moral thoughts,
> which helps them to become a better person. I personally prefer
> meditation to prayer.

Churches need you to go to church to justify their own existence
otherwise there would be no need for them.

Davin you surprise me.

Do you know what George Bush said about Iraq. He said "God told me to
go to Iraq and free the Iraqi people".

I ask you Davin, please employ some common sense.