I can't help but think that this entire thread is pointless. Not just from the comments, but from what similar discussions in the rest of world has led to.
For people like me, who do not believe in the Gods from our religions, it's clear religious people have one serious flaw in such a discussion. They do not need proof to believe. With such a mindset, anything can be true, if you simply choose to believe without proof. For us who actually look at the world and ask questions like 'Why?' and 'How?', that mindset seems impossibly limited and outdated. It's not about being openminded towards religion, it's a matter of common sense. If an ancient book was to be found that stated a magic shoe existed on the other side of the moon and that this Great Shoe created the universe, noone would believe that to be true. The fact is no real argument can ever be made against the 'logic' religious people posses, so I don't see why you guys are trying.
I have a number of religious friends and I never discuss it with them simply because I know there is no getting to them. Logic, proof and reason falls short of unwavering belief that needs no proof. And you see it all the time. People go to war and kill eachother over belief. They treat women as a lesser gender simply because ancient books stated so. Fathers have killed their own daughters, simply because they chose people of a different religion.
My absolutely biggest grief with religion however, is how adults taint children with this brainwashing. Imagine, people are telling small children that this life does not matter, the afterlife does. You must do as the ancient holy books tell us or you will burn for eternity. It is an insult to the miracle of life to live life as if a test to the afterlife and even worse, to brainwash children like that. It's not like people let children grow up and choose if they want to believe or not, the beliefs are forced upon them from an early age. Anyone who thinks they chose their religion from a young age fools only themselves. It's no coincidence that almost all people have the same religion their parents had.
Lastly, much respect to everyone who tried to make reasoned arguments in this thread. Sadly, it was few, but great to see some are out there.