Social fracture lines, as you have defined them, will always exist as long as there is free will, unless you are in favor of "driving us together" by force. I would even venture to say that Ms. Rand would be intolerant of such a measure.

"Faith vs Atheist"
An atheist uses just as much faith as a theist; their faith is simply directed "atheistically."

I can say this because we all have to make decisions based on absolutes; the source of those absolutes is the point of contention. If you say there are no absolutes, then you have already started in reverse because that is an absolute statement; as well, you would never be able to communicate because all communication would be couched in deconstructionistic verbiage and dislocation from an author's meaning.

Regarding the other two "vs." you listed are simply corollaries of the first one.

Overall, in order to remove social fracture lines, one would have to define the standards in most areas of life that we should all conform to to avoid the "fracturing;" however, the problem is who would define them and who would enforce nonconformity?

Macro-evolution has not been proven, measured or repeated in experiment, yet, unless you believe we were seeded here by some E.T. being within this universe, you are left with either God, or Big Matter existing forever as the source for creation. Pick which you think is more likely.

As for the purpose of this forum, I was drawn here because I have very much enjoyed reading Ms. Rand's works, especially AS twice, and watching some of her works in movies.

A lot of my thinking concurs with Mr. Rand, but where it falls off the cliff is at the point of unbelief in the God of the Bible and that man is the end of all value since if you can reason into anything, then is reason really that valuable without absolutes external to yourself which are immutable.

Again, if I am in violation of the purpose of the forum, the moderators are welcome to bar me anytime. I hope to only bring some reasoned thought here which may not be the "party line" at times.

I admire those here who can make a reasonable argument for whatever they believe; however, that doesn't mean I have to agree, and I think they would also find they do not have to agree with me, which is usually the case.

Lastly, I do not think that you have accurately encompassed the purpose of this site in a comprehensive manner...it seems much more than you have stated.

How about expanding that using an unabridged dictionary so we don't miss other uses:

religion (rɪˈlɪdʒǝn) n 1 belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny 2 any formal or institutionalized expression of such belief the Christian religion 3 the attitude and feeling of one who believes in a transcendent controlling power or powers 4 chiefly RC Church the way of life determined by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience entered upon by monks, friars, and nuns to enter religion 5 something of overwhelming importance to a person football is his religion 6 archaic a the practice of sacred ritual observances b sacred rites and ceremonies [c12: via Old French from Latin religiō fear of the supernatural, piety, probably from religāre to tie up, from RE- + ligāre to bind]

Collins English Dictionary. (Glasgow: HarperCollins, 2006).

Now, remember, lexicographers do not create the meaning of words; words' meanings are derived from usage and lexicographers study and exhibit those meanings for creating the listings of definitions. Additionally, lexicographers list different meanings of words (such as listed above there are 6 listed meanings) in decreasing order of usage.

When you really sit down and think about what religion is, there is only one system of belief in a "higher power" (as some may say) that does not rely on doing things in order to reconcile themselves with that "higher power" to have a relationship with them and that is Christianity. You do not have to do anything of merit to become a Christian because all the work has been done by that higher power himself. Simply believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins personally and you will be saved. Now, getting into who Jesus Christ is, did He exist at all, what sin is and what would you be being saved from for another program as I know that those who are the thinkers among us here will ask those questions, but that isn't the point of this post. The point I am making is that all the other religions require work on the part of man to achieve acceptance by that higher power. Now, some believe that higher power is Mother Earth (radical environmentalists), some believe technology is it (radical futurists), and some believe in other gods (religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc...). But what makes one belief system a religion and one not a religion? That is the question and the 5th usage above in the definition is applicable here, but doesn't really hit on the point we are trying to make.

I really need to sit down and layout what a religion really is...I do not think that the above dictionary definition captures it very well. It really has to start with why the belief is deemed necessary and why all people operate their lives in a way that appears religious.

Belief in a god some some type, or making something into your god is much the same thing and adherents of either act quite a bit similarly.

The key is whether you are following the right God. If you are asking which is right, then you will have to do some thinking and investigating. If you do not, then you may be lost forever.

I will say that I do not consider myself a religious person, but let's deal with the definition of religion so we can operate according to the same rules.

I simply would define religion as a system of thought where a majority of knowledge is based on faith and not empiricism.

If you would agree with that, then I would say that most of man's knowledge and advanced systems of understanding are built on faith and not on empiricism. Yes, some would appear to utilize historical events to conclude that if you do A,B,C you will get X,Y,Z, but as we know, past events are no guarantee of future results.

Therefore, I would say that it is important to first recognize that faith is not useless. How did you come by your first educational knowledge? You were told various concrete facts, then worked to abstract concepts which are just as valid; however, faith that the person teaching you was telling you the truth was required in order for education to take place so that you have future education to build on.

The God of the Bible deals first with origins in His Word, not with some other concept upon which origins is dependent upon.

If you cannot deal with origins, then you are building a house on sand with all your other thinking.

Just give it some thought. I don't care if my thinking is called religion, philosophy, or mystical banana-head funny talk, you should take what I am saying and address that, vs writing me off as some religious zealot, if I understand you correctly.

I don't think you can say that I am not reasoning.

I do agree that not all belief systems are religion...there are systems of management in corporate america which are based in well developed analysis; however, I would say that they do make some assumptions about the human condition which are taken on faith.

A better question may be is to define when a system becomes a religion. Is there a line at all?

The encouragement is much appreciated.

The definition of religion really must be nailed down in a forum like this, so do you have one in mind? I am interested.

Perhaps I misunderstand the purpose of the forum. I thought that meaningful, rational, reasoned arguments are welcome. The moderators can bar me anytime their free will so inclines them.

Additionally, perhaps something I said stirs some discomfort with you because I have made a point. If you are really objective, look at what I have said and respond to that, without allowing emotion and preference beguile you.

"social fracture line"

What does that mean? Perhaps I am having a senior moment.

Khalling - I guess I really need to buy a lectern :).

What is fantastic about the Gulch here which you almost cannot get anywhere else I have found is that if you posit an argument, you will be engaged seriously and not pejoritively denied access.

Not sure I follow you. There are numerous philosophies. What other kind you looking for?

The mind is always involved in all thinking, whether it is emotional or rational.