A little late back to this but- I agree, it's stupid. Religion has no place in any kind of cohesive argument. It has no place because it is entirely made up. It's fiction. It's trying to answer questions but the answers are without merit. Why are we here? Why not? Why is there something instead of nothing? Why not? What is our purpose? Whatever we make it out to be, there's nothing external defining it. We're bits of animated mud that get to sit up and look around for a while.

The only problem with your analogy and statement is that while the desert and ocean are real, religion's environment is made up.

Religion is a lie, undeserving of the undue respect granted it. Most of the people involved with religion are good, likable people. They would likely be that way whether they were religious or not. They like the idea of there being a plan and someone in charge. It comforts them. As long as they keep their religion in their churches and homes and social events they're fine, but a lot of them try to speak out, or impose their will, on public policy using their religion as the reason for their position. Their views on these items are not credible until they have a reason other than "God says so", whether they say it directly or it underlays their stated reasons.

Reminds me of the old joke- Do you know why divorce is so expensive? Because it's worth it.

I see this all the time. People think freedom of speech means freedom from the consequences of speech. You're only (relatively) free from consequences from the government for your speech (at least in U.S.).

The crux of the biscuit is the apo'strophe. -F. Zappa

Books I remember liking from that age that had a science or sci-fi bent were Danny Dunn stories (there were quite a few books, don't know if any are available) and a book called the Dinosaur and the Egg (by Stephanie Lewis?). Lit my imagination and an appetite for all things sci-ency.

You just made the list!

RTA? I ain't got to RTA. I don't need to RTA! I don't have to RTFA!