US pessimism makes little sense. There’s likely to be only one superpower in 2100, namely the USA. (View Post)

It’s hard to say that the Jews really existed, as a people/religion, prior to the Babylonian captivity. Prior to that, I’d say they were a number of mostly pagan Canaanite tribes (and even within the… (View Post)

Well, I think it’s rubbish, but you can go to Glastonbury, Totnes, Stroud etc. and find people who think magic, and pacts with the devil *work.* They likely think that (a) 99% of people are hell boun… (View Post)

I find that more of a manufactured religiosity. Similar to the way in 1950's Scotland or Northern Ireland, people would go to work on Christmas Day, to show that they were not pagans. (View Post)

Yes, I agree. I've just returned from Naples. Everywhere, you see little shrines, where people burn candles and lay flowers. (View Post)