"There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

Hmmm...

This slogan could soon be found on many London buses.

Interesting, if not unoriginal, argument. The slogan COULD be deemed offensive to believers, and might initially make a firm believer in God cringe. But after a little thought I actually agree with those who have supported the publishing of this slogan for promoting debate about the existence of God.

It is indeed a very good point that religious groups do get to advertise on buses, so atheists should not be exempt from this. I am not one who subscribes to the view that religious believers should attempt to supress any attempts to contradict them, or doctrines which are not coherent with their own faith. It is my belief that if one is strong enough in their faith, they should remain untroubled by opposing views. So, on the whole, my opinion on this issue is that it's given me the excuse for an extra blog entry!

Except for one minor criticism. The opinions of Richard Dawkins in relation to this new campaign include these words: ""Religion is accustomed to getting a free ride - automatic tax breaks, unearned respect and the right not to be offended, the right to brainwash children." Now, call it paranoia, but why do I get the feeling that Dawkins is using the word "religion" here as a term to disguise the true word he means, "Christianity". Because if he does, he is very much mistaken. The faith no longer has state funding, is heavily mocked in the media, and has long been an acceptable target of criticism (whilst other faiths have the right not to be offended).

Think on, Dawkins. I think you're the one who's been getting the free ride.

I'm a Roman Catholic, so let me in...Just kidding!

BBC London News talked today about the increasing levels of dishonesty and deception involved in getting children into faith schools. Well, there's a surprise.

It does, of course, raise a very ironic issue though, doesn't it? Applying to the school of a faith which forbids lying, by lying! Not only is it considerably wrong in human terms (consider how p...frustrated...you'd be if you were a Christian refused admission to a Christian school, only to find that a hardcore atheist got a place through deception), but it actually creates an interesting spiritual and moral issue, as outlined above.

The obvious example is of Christianity. Breaking the 9th commandment of Christianity for admission to a Christian school DOES seem a little paradoxical.

But this entire topic actually got me interested in what other religions say about lying. Would all religions look so unfavourably upon lying and dishonesty?

Well, let's take Sikhism. I find that many Sikh websites claim that lying is prohibited. The Guru Granth Sahib allegedly tells the Sikh: "Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others. Your service is useless and fruitless." Any kind of worthless talk, lying included, is forbidden in Sikhism. And with good reason.

Judaism, of course, follows the commandments with just as much conviction, if not more, as Christians.

Finding information on the Hindu perspective on lying proved rather difficult, but I suspect (and feel free to correct me) that it perceives the concept of truth as a noble one, as part of it's perceptions of Dharma (along with the Sikhs and the Buddhists).

And Islam? Islam, in general, forbids lying. However, I came across a doctrine that, in my ignorance, I had never before stumbled across. And that is the concept of "Al-Takeyyah", described on islamcommentaries.com as "lying for Allah". Initially the prospect of such hypocrisy might make one cringe; however I do actually see the sense of this concept in certain contexts. For instance, lying is permissible to protect one's faith; this could be seen as sensible when faced with persecution. (Although in Christianity believers are encouraged never to lie about such things but to stand firm).

However, this "lying for Allah" is perhaps less noble than it at first seems. And I take as basis for my comment not my own "prejudices" or "misguided conceptions" but the words of the Prophet Muhammed himself (PBUH): “Lying is wrong, except in three things: the lie of a man to his wife to make her content with him; a lie in war, for war is deception; or a lie to settle trouble between people” (Ahmad, 6.459. H).

To put this into my own words: Don't lie, it is wrong and against the will of God. Well, except if your wife nags you, it's OK to lie to her - she doesn't deserve the truth. Oh and war is dishonest anyway so you may as well rectify the situation by lying even more. Oh and if people are arguing, it's OK to lie to shut them up".

This piece of doctrine seems less of a noble concept, and rather more the epitome of self-contradiction and hypocrisy. Still, religion will never cease to baffle.

I just hope I'm never the headteacher or admissions tutor of an Islamic school...