Age Old Battle between Atheists and Christians; Controversy over Christianity Is Raging Again. Dan O'Neill Takes a Look at the Latest Row over Religion

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Byline: Dan O'Neill

HIS name was George M Woodcock and I met him years ago in Manchester, attracted by the banners he carried proclaiming GOD IS A LIE, the cardboard notice stuck to his hat announcing ATHEISM IS THE TRUTH, and also by the fact that he could bellow his beliefs without ever dislodging the last half-inch of Woodbine glued to his lower lip.

George was 80 years old and, he proudly boasted, the only full-time atheist missionary in Britain.

He stood four days a week in the centre of Manchester, bringing the Message, banners flapping, fag smouldering, and he had local fundamentalists chewing their dog collars with fury.

These gents …