Of course this will never happen, but I have a challenge for all those creationists who want to see 'intelligent design' taught in schools. Proponents of this ridiculous pseudo-science (it's not even that) say that students must be given a balanced view, that all sides must be considered, that the 'evidence' for ID must be looked at and discussed fairly. Let the students decide.

Well okay, how about this: every week, at your local church, you should set aside 15 minutes of each hour-long service for the teaching of secular, atheist or scientific topics. There are plenty to choose from. The pastor could explain evolution and how it makes a nonsense of Biblical creation, or look into how radiometric dating proves beyond any doubt that the Earth is a million times older than young-earth creationists say it is.

This could be a regular thing. Weekend camps could be organised where children are taught to decide things for themselves, to question the Bible, just to see what it feels like, and to understand the difference between blind faith and free thinking.

Better yet, one Sunday in four could be a 'no Jesus day'. Forget about church and donate the weekly offering to a local charity which doesn't use the money to build more churches or maintain old ones. Use that hour to help out in the community in some way - actually doing something, rather than praying to God and waiting for it to happen.

Give out atheist badges to the congregation, bumper stickers with the Darwin fish or 'There is no God' on them, and display them with pride, giving equal space next to their Christian counterparts.

Wouldn't that be fair? Just to give a balanced view, with all sides of the argument considered, looking at evidence and discussing it openly and honestly? Of course it would. That's why it's never going to happen.

Of course, we could always adopt a far better, more reasonable approach: don't teach religion in science class and in return you won't have to mention anything awkward like 'science' or 'evidence' in your churches.