Lorriman: some people believe that Elvis is alive and on the moon, some people believe in god(s) I see equal amounts of prove for both beliefs.

My hamster could “hypothetically” prove to me that he is in fact the creator of the universe, but I somehow think that it is not going to happen.

Ray, Tunbridge Wells, UK

M.williams:"Lorriman typically defines the catholic mind. A empty rhetoric full of dogma."

Dogma means teaching. Genuine atheists teach that God does not exist, which is unprovable and therefore void dogma.

A God could hypothetically prove His existence. Care to contradict my empty rhetoric?

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Lorriman typically defines the catholic mind. A empty rhetoric full of dogma.

Any decent human being should welcome ex-communication from the catholic church.

M.Williams, London,

Burt:"churches ARE NOT above criticism or the law"

They are criticised for having paedo priests, and yet the rate of paedophilia among Catholic priests is LOWER than among fathers of children. They are regularly punched and spat on because of your blessed 'criticism'. The Pope need not apologise.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

The probabilities for any kind of orderly universe are so remote that atheist scientists (Hawkings etc) are desperately inventing multi-universe theories, as else an intelligent creator must exist. So right now, without further data, the scientific probability of a God is 50/50.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Matzuda:"If God can prevent evil, but not willing,then he is malevolent"

..or merciful. The evil is permitted that the evil doer might be saved at the expense of the most innocent who suffer so that the guilty have the chance to be sorry. The alternative is instant annihilation or damnation.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

sanity has prevailed. We are a secular democracy in which religion and churches ARE NOT above criticism or the law. The catholics will have to take their chances as far as protestors are concerned. Thank god our democracy works

William Burt, Melbourne, Australia

alan:" An atheist is simply someone who doesn't believe god exists"

Even your pals on richarddawkins.net disagree with you (see the debate). And all authoritative sources define it as positive belief that a God (or gods) does not exist. It is atheists who are so keen to redefine the word.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Unfortunately, I have no confidence that such a sane ruling would be made in Godist Britain. Christianity, Islam, Judaism (and the rest whom I hope I even further insult by being beneath mention) rely on state protection as much as on fear. None of them can stand on merit as they possess none.

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

I insist as an atheist on putting myself on an equal footing with Godists. Hence If I say that God's non-existence is a 'revealed truth' I am deeply offended if they ask me for proof. He just doesn't..Amen.

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

alan:" An atheist is simply someone who doesn't believe god exists"

Even your pals on richarddawkins.net disagree with you (see the debate). And all authoritative sources define it as positive belief that a God (or gods) does not exist. It is atheists who are so keen to redefine the word.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

What annoys many non-believers is the way in which religious people think that what they see as unacceptable practices should not be allowed by anyone. If you're a practising catholic then don't wear a condom, but don't force the rest of us to do the same.

iain, perth,

Why do believers resort to definitions (their own definitions) when they run out of rational arguments? Maybe you can tell me, Greg.
(Example: An atheist, they claim, is someone who denies god's existence. Wrong. An atheist is simply someone who doesn't believe god exists - "a-theist".)

alan, germany,

The right to swing your fist ends where the other person's nose begins.

Jay, Pensacola, USA

A wise decision. Now the pilgrims and other activise should likewise think up original and effective ways to "annoy" the two women.

Marco Borg, London, United Kingdom

All people believe in God.........some choose to love Him and others to hate Him....they that hate Him do so because He does not hand Heaven to them on a platter,they have to earn it......as far as rights? No one has the right to do,say or think anything that is wrong.The ability,yes,not the right.

Steve Sanborn, Spokane, U.S.A.

Alan"You..say god's non-existence is not provable.
Nor is his existence"

For your benefit I add "Hypothetically", so resolving your quibble.

A God's existence may not be provable (by us), but hypothetically a God could prove His own existence: so we could know, hypothetically <sigh>.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

No individual should be allowed to discriminate against another's religious view, or moral code. I find it hard to believe such protesters believe themselves justified, when in fact they're inciting hatred (albeit "peaceful"). The supplimented picture of "No God. No Guilt", is surely prejudiced.

Daniel, Woodstock, England

They can protest, but should not be allowed to interfere in a religious event. That infringes the rights of the youth. But hey, no one cares about the rights of Catholics. Now if this was a Muslim event there would be no allowance for protest. This is discrimination against Catholics.

James, Washington, USA

A shirt saying 'No God, No Guilt' is a perfect example of one of the many who believe that one can only regret their conduct out of fear of Hell! Not true! Non-believers may have no set moral doctrine, but they can still feel guilt out of compassion. If I offend someone I'll feel bad, God or no God!

Heather, Stockton, UK

A true atheist (OED: To Deny the gods/God) believes that God does not exist which is unproven and (probably) unprovable, as so they are irrational. Less rational than a monkey, in fact.

Faith as "Belief without knowledge" is a bogus invention of modern philosophy. God proves His own existence.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Greg - once again (for your benefit):
You claim that god could give proof of himself.
This claim pre-supposes the existence of a god.
You rightly say god's non-existence is not provable.
Nor is his existence.
To argue (as you do) on the basis of this pre-supposition is therefore irrational.

alan, germany,

Greg Lorriman: "faith is pure knowledge"

Err - I think you'll find that exactly the opposite is true.

Chris, Dorking,

Lyn:"works if you redefine 'knowledge'..other than is usually understood.."

And what would that be?

The history of philosophy has been obsessed by that question, with no definitive answer. Atheists believe without proof: the atheist definition of 'faith'. A lovely irony. Sophistry, anyone?

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

It is every persons right to follow whatever religion they wish, it is every persons right to peacefully protest, You could name specific groups who would take offence to being protested against and the Catholic church is NOT one of them.
Target the gay bars with the condoms, may have more effect.

Sean, Livingston, West Lothian

To the naysayers...Your right to disbelieve is fine, but it you truely don't believe, then why is it that those who have a strong faith in God, seem to upset you so much? Why not just let it go? Also, "Faith" doesn't necessitate "agreement"....you're either IN or you aren't...can't pick and choose.

tony , St. Mary's, USA

Alex:"Tell a 1 year old with aids that condoms are immoral."

The real cause will almost certainly have been the abuse of sex for pleasure. Condoms have a high failure rate, and there will be 1 year old with AIDS with or without them.

This kind of emotional blackmail is dishonest.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Where's freedom of religion here? This event isn't forcing anything on non-believers. Why do you have to be ugly and harass people? Does that make you better or does it just make you feel less guilty or ugly if you try to drag others down to your level? Not Catholic by the way.

K Brooks, oklahoma , US

As for all you who think condoms prevent STD's, think again. They don't prevent pregnancy consistently. Med Lab Tech told me that condoms DON't stop AIDS because virus is smaller than pores in condom. This condom campaign is to stop a panic! Can't prove but ahe know more than I do.

K Brooks, oklahoma , US

Any one who seriously believes that a piece of rubber with holes in it can stop the AIDS virus should get help -and quickly, before his mental condition worsens.

Geoffrey Smith, Manchester, England

"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing?Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing?Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing?Then why call him God?"
--Epicurus

sometimes the invisible n the imaginary are the same...

Jose Matzuda, Madrid, Spain

Tell a 1 year old with aids that condoms are immoral.

Alex, Cork, Ireland

Fantasy = Faith.
Anything that can be so deeply desired that a person can assume its truth can be called true in faith. That faith has always been enough excuse for pounding their fantasy as truth for years, and at the cost of many (non-fantasy sharing) lives.
Its about time all fantasies were =

Jim, Toronto, Canada

Any religion that preaches to others infuriates me. If you look at the underlying events around the rise of Catholicism in history, it becomes incredibly evident how the Catholic church is based upon Ignorance, Fear, and Control. Every year I enjoy explaining the Pagan origins of Christmas to people

Alex, Sacramento, CA, USA

Greg Lorriman, your argument is pure sophistry and only works if you redefine 'knowledge' to mean something other than is usually understood by the word. You are in a fine tradition of casuists but you won't convince anyone who does not believe already. Faith is not knowledge.

Lyn, Birmingham, UK

Alan:"..moral dictates of its imaginary deity.."

The non-existence of God is unprovable, while a God could hypothetically give objective knowledge of Himself, which is what religious claim: faith is pure knowledge. So your statement is unfounded, and your belief irrational.

Jesus is God.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Interesting fact,there are now more overseas visitors to WYD in Sydney than attended the Sydney Olympics.
Freedom of speech is accepted as a given right by all. But making a point of insulting and harranging 16/17 year old pilgrims is not a welcome I would expect to give visitors to my home!

Michael J. Donohoe, Warrawee, Australia

John McD, if you want an example of "complete intellectual corruption", don't quote TD. Look instead at the history of the Catholic church. The moral dictates of its imaginary deity haven't prevented acts of violence and perversion by its faithful, especially by its professional purveyors. Shame.

alan, germany,

What diseases exactly are people who have sex exclusively in marriage likely to catch?

Do condomites seriously think we consider the condom prohibition to be more important than the fornication prohibition? Anyone who is enthusiastic enough to avoid condoms will definitely be avoiding fornication

John Bennett, Gympie, Australia

And, by the way, are you sure that devoted Catholics - people, who obey this condom ban - are more vulnerable for HIV? I got a impression, that most vulnerable groups of people are very far from obeying to Catholic Church.

Sergey, Moscow, Russia

Just keep the alter boys a safe distance from him..............

Winslow, Toronto, Canada

I don't think that using condoms is a sin. But condoms are prohibited to devoted Catholics. If somebody is devoted Catholic and obey Church, he or she avoid sex outside marriage and, therefore, don't need condoms to be protected from HIV and so on. Faithfulness in marriage is much more effective.

Sergey, Moscow, Russia

TD,

Therein lies the complete intellectual corruption of your position. False predicates, false conclusions and no logic. Actions, not beliefs, can condemn. Catholic relief in African nations has been more successful at combating HIV .http://www.ad2000.com.au/articles/2004/mar2004p10_1559.html

John McD, San Francisco, ca, USA

Personally I would ban you protesters - you are inappropriate, disrespectful and patronising. But the Pope visits in order to bring Christ to you too.

DL, London, UK

Ed in Calgary, in my view you do not have the right to a belief that condemns others to die or suffer horribly from HIV or AIDS as a direct result of a religious instruction not to wear a condom which will restrict or block infection.

TD, London,

Is it conceivable that anti-islamic demonstrators would be allowed to demonstrate against islamic pilgrims?

Dave, Wrexham,

The Pope talks about love and uses every opportunity to preach and lobby politically against it, if it is outside of heterosexual marriage. It is obscene that the Australian Goverment is so heavily funding a Catholic youth gathering to benefit the cruel politics and sexual policies of catholicism.

David Reid, London, England

You have the right to protest. We have the right to our beliefs.

Ed, Calgary, Canada

As I have said before these man made to fit religions, have little resinance in day to day life anymore when the main religions connect with people on the ground with all their weakness(and sins) then I think there is a case to take note of Scriptures written 2000 years or more to apply today!

Dave Farmer, Broxbourne, England

Am i missing something. If you are a Christian then don't use condom, but practice celibacy until marriage, if you aren't then use a condom. Simple, no argument.

The trouble is non-Christians have trouble using condoms properly and Christians have trouble being good Christians.

Matthew, Norwich, England

Anyone who acted as these protesters do at a Gay Pride event would be branded a 'homophobe' or a 'bigot' - not least by the very same people.

MikeF, London,

how much more suffering and needless misery is needed before the Pope stops banning condoms?

V Smith, London, UK

The cult of the pope should brought into the 21st century or shutdown llike any other cult.

Martin Barr-David, Randwick, Australia