Ed, //Are you suggesting that calling someone's "Good Book" a "magic book" isn't dismissive and likely to cause friction?//
No, I’m not. It is dismissive, and if disputed by those who think these books are beyond criticism, of course it is likely to cause friction - but then discussions in any section of AB can, and often do, cause friction.
//We're not asking you to change what you say - we're asking you to change the way you say it.//
You’ve got me there, Ed. Bearing in mind the content of the ‘Good Books’ – and I’ve studied them all thoroughly - I can’t think of another way to say it.
//We're going to attempt the goldilocks style of moderation - aiming for "just right". As always //
Well, up until now, it certainly hasn’t been ‘as always’ – but good - I hope that works both ways - because so far on this thread it would appear that the blatant untruths, the disrespectful innuendoes, and the insults towards non-believers have been overlooked entirely – and in your accusation to Birdie, you’re very wrong indeed. He is far too intelligent to even contemplate leading ‘pitch fork carrying rabble’ (so much for respect and keeping R&S civil!) - the ‘rabble’ you refer to are far too intelligent to contemplate supporting someone else simply for the sake of it – and his arguments, like the arguments of most atheists here don’t depend upon the support of the ‘rabble’ – they stand very firmly upon their own merits.