Re: Athesit Thread version 2 (sorry K.O.S.).
The thing about religion is that it cherry picks the arguments that work, and ignores or tries to invalidate the arguments that lead, inexorably, to a conclusion which is uncomfortable for some to deal with. I also don't know why science is downplayed so much.
Science never claims to have all the answers. In that respect it is completely honest (if performed ethically), and is the closest representation of truth we can find. Instead of ignoring lines of thought which disprove or cast into doubt currently held theories, science is about actively trying to disprove them! With each failed attempt, the theory is a little stronger, but scientists are always willing to modify them to reflect observation.
We don't know what happens in a black hole singularity. We don't know what happened before the Big Bang. Science is not about pretending to have all the answers - some may see this as a weakness. I'd be suspicious of anyone or thing claiming to have all the answers to the big questions.
Now, in principle there's nothing wrong with religion. However, it must be handled carefully. Giving people comfort and encouraging people to lead better lives is not a bad thing, but not at the expense of indoctrination through fear and/or ignorance. It's led to some of the most appalling acts in human history. It's this kind of ignorance which makes religion so scary to some. Ethics does not have to come from religion. In most cases it is instilled by parents! I've had some pretty weird things said to me by believers - the most recent was on YouTube. I didn't like someone's video and they said I was going to burn in hell for saying it. It's one example. Obviously not representative.
Those religious 'extremists' who completely dismiss evolution, and science in general, miss the comedic irony of science enabling computers and the internet allowing them to propagate their views!
Let me reiterate, religion is not a bad thing in certain contexts. People who adopt a faith once they're old enough to make the decision themselves is fine. Indoctrinating kids that it is the only truth is not. Maintaining that indoctrination through fear and emotional trickey is not.
One last thing, if there is a God who is all powerful (it would have to be to create the universe) - could this God create a rock so heavy, even He could not lift it?