Here are Brian's comments on religion in postings, from September 2006. This came in response to someone who offered a phrase invoking God that was meant to comfort the person who started the thread (and who had said nothing about a belief in God):

[quote]Without wishing to offend you, there is a reason that in the agreement to use the boards we have rules regarding discussion of religion. The rule is basic -- if the original poster did not reference God, Buddha, Mohammed or use any other reference to religion, such as "your prayers for me would be appreciated," the following posters are obligated to stay away from religious references. You haven't said anything offensive here, but the rules also exist because the original poster's feelings related to a supreme being, if any, may not coincide with the particular one that you reference. We have atheists, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. etc., and others represented here on the forum.

Lastly, several posters here have in the past made similar statements related to "God" not giving you anything that he will not also give you the strength, means, etc. to deal with mentally or physically. Unfortunately we have had too many people who post on these boards die from this disease, friends to us all. I think that in their cases any God referenced clearly gave them more than they could handle. It's a nice-sounding platitude that does not always apply. I am glad that you find strength in it, but perhaps the comment is not for everyone.

Please do not be offended by all this, I wanted you to hear it from me, before you got it from someone else, hopefully in a manner which does not offend you, but aids you in understanding why these points are made in the sign-in agreement. We all know that you only had good intentions in your heart.
[/quote]-- Leslie