I will not take the bait, believe what you like (or not).

My statement wasn't bait or about what I believe

It is a shame that many of his brilliant scientific discoveries were later proven wrong by religion.

^^^Scary bloody thought........

Oh, please.

I am agnostic. I can't turn my head to my upbringing, though.

Who the heck are you to decide what's true?

Oh come on... if it weren't for religion, where would all of those poor, emotionally insecure people who can't handle the rigors and realities of scientific discovery go to get their crutch / security blanket? I mean... come on - religion has done so much to advance the cause of human civilization in the face of oppression from scientific discovery. Oh wait. ;)

The greatest day in the history of humanity will be the one where we collectively throw off the yoke of religious superstition and embrace the reality of our own temporary insignificance and learn to be at peace with the notion that all we have is today - and one another.

Its a shame the goddies cant leave it alone. Stephen Hawking, one of the great modern minds, atheist, has died. And sure enough, someone says they bet he is changing his mind about his atheism now. Hopefully the many roomed mansion and roads paved in gold accommodate wheelchair access.

Bob, I'm not against your religious belief's or anyone else's but your upbringing has been based on stories and belief's not fact or any scientific substance.

Prof Hawkins theories are not based on religion so I can understand why you have trouble understanding them.

I had the unique perspective last year of being dead for longer than I should have got away with. There were no rooms full of virgins, no light, no fluffy clouds, no big man in a chair, no pearly gates, no unicorns or rainbows. no burning hell of damnation. There was only nothing.

Was quite disappointed but that is who I am and how I decided what is true.

Richard Dawkins doesn't even bother with stories and beliefs. He just says it's delusional. :D

Let's thumb wrestle in another thread out of respect for Professor Hawking.

May he rest in peace.

Godspeed is somewhat appropriate in the context of the Spinozan view of the universe (Einsteinian), an apt metaphor. The speed of nothing is the speed of light.