You and I have some similarities particularly in our belief systems. Yet the concentration of the attacks I see are on you rather than me.

The most provocative stuff I post, like Quintessence and Omega, does not even draw a comment. So I am at a loss to understand the sociology of this forum.

For a while the Creationists were most prominant on this forum. Then came posts from religions like Islam and Buddhism not normally associated with America. I especially enjoyed reading about the scientific interpretations of the Koran such as the prediction of black holes and the big bang, even though the scripture had to be stretched a bit.

The posts on Buddhism prompted me to read the original texts, which I also found by surfing the web. That led to some discussion between the Buddhist poster and myself, and the subsequent disappearance of that poster, for greener pastures I presume. I feel a little guilty for being partly responsible for his looking elsewhere. But I imagine that the recent influx of scientific atheism is as much to blame.

So I am getting the impression that these forums are like playing "King of the Hill". Personally I find it rather interesting and challanging to provide rational reasons for my belief in an afterlife. I do not expect to vacate my little hill as established in this forum. I can see rather well fortified positions across the vale on the mound of atheism. And whenever I see a crack in their armor, I send a barb or two there way, of course in expectation of reciprocity in kind.