Dear Isak Dinesen,

You seem to be suggesting that we terminate our conversation at this point. I hope that this is not the case, as I would hope much more can be learnt from the discussion. In any case I'll continue my thoughts on the Little Book of Atheist Spirituality.

In case this is the end, however, here are some observations on your last response.

I was surprised by your use of the term "definitive substance”, since quantum physicists, who are at the vanguard of modern science, says that there is no such thing, that matter as we perceive it is an illusion, it is merely shadows. Several of them even go so far as to say that the 'material' universe is being thought into existence, by some creative intelligence. I would be happy to call that God, or at least some aspect of God. I know you don't want to think in terms of a deity, but do you really think that the paradise you describe can have come into being by accident?

You seem to be preoccupied by one story in the Judeo-Christian story, the bloody sacrifice, which may not even be true. It has had a profound influence on your thinking. However, can one story be allowed to stand as significant evidence in the debate on the big question of God's existence? Neither of us believe in the theistic God of the Old Testament.

Thank you very much for the information on marijuana. I am very sorry to hear that you have had problems in your family in relation to this.

It is simply untrue to say that belief in demonic possession etc. is the “result of cultural indoctrination in places such as the West Indies, Africa etc.” None of the cases referred to in my articles had anything remotely to do with these places. At least three of the exorcisms described took place in the USA, in the presence of therapists of the highest integrity, and Wilson van Dusen studied schizophrenic patients for many years in a hospital in the USA.

I regret that I don't have as much confidence as you in the “overwhelming majority of rational citizens living in democracies”. The modern faith in reason would seem to me to be a problem in the issues we are discussing, rather than a solution. It explains the tendency to deny the paranormal and supernatural.

By the way, this is not completely up to date, but a survey in 1993 found that two-thirds of the population of the USA believed in angels, and half believed in the existence of devils. You would presumably call the USA a democracy. You would therefore have to conclude that at least half of their citizens are obviously irrational, or even mentally ill.

Source: Angels Among Us, Time magazine, December 27, 1993

best wishes