So I take any claims they make without any basis in fact with a grain of salt.

And lets not forget the urban legends - tales of old ladies putting cats in microwaves, female fashion models being literally cooked by tanning beds and girlfriends that shoot their boyfriends' computers for attention! This modern culture has just as many ridiculous tales to tell as those of the ancients - and many people are gullible enough to believe them too...

Not to mention "vaccines-causing-autism" myths. My grandparents in Soquel (yes, Adam, the same set I mentioned a couple years back in connection with 9/11 conspiracy theories) occasionally forward me articles about that, and I reply with links to Respectful Insolence. While they claim not to believe in it wholeheartedly, they don't seem to be moving away from that position; they seem to be intensely predisposed to crediting any account which paints the industrial sector or mainstream political institutions as villains, whether the facts support it or not.

That desire for understanding, for control, has been distilled and expressed in a pure form: the scientific method. Now, for the first time in history, we have real answers, not just guesses, for the fundamental questions of existence. The codified dogmas of the past, the ones that touch on those same questions, are stale and outdated. We no longer need those fragile trappings of myth when we have genuine understanding to light the way.

Ah, but so often when we are inspired by science, we are inspired by some story -- a story containing scientific truths, to be sure, but one which rings with myth and metaphor nonetheless. We are stardust; we are the universe beginning to comprehend itself; we are a small note concluding the 'Ancestor's Tale' and a lead in to some descendant's tale to come. We haven't outlived the need for story, and it isn't the facts themselves that provide the story, it's the way we choose to view them.

"Let's not forget that the Techno-Age brings it's own Myths and irrationalities, 2012 and McKennas 'Timewave Zero' are examples for that."

And lets not forget the urban legends - tales of old ladies putting cats in microwaves, female fashion models being literally cooked by tanning beds and girlfriends that shoot their boyfriends' computers for attention! This modern culture has just as many ridiculous tales to tell as those of the ancients - and many people are gullible enough to believe them too...

religious beliefs have outlived their usefulness

I agree completely, which is why I have difficulty with the ideal you expressed in your closing paragraph. Religious people often have difficulty extracting the meaningful portions out of their stories and leaving the tall tales behind. Even liberal believers, who do this more effectively than conservatives and fundamentalists, frequently retain some of the woo and mysticism that comes with their religious traditions.

Alex: I've never heard of Nightwish, but I do like Blind Guardian and Symphony X as well (and bearing that in mind, I'll have to check them out). Along those lines I might also recommend Kamelot and Sonata Arctica - both are great, complex progressive rock bands that also weave in classical instrumental themes. Very good music to get in the mood for writing. :)

"Will someone fix that record player?"

I don't see any context for this statement to fit into - would you care to fill us in on you attempted to communicate?

Anyway, Adam, I find similar inspiration in some more modern music which habitually deals with Christian themes (Nightwish, Blind Guardian, and Symphony X come to mind). Any experience with any of these?

It's not just religious myths - I've recently been reflecting on the myths and fairy stories about women that are now so out of date and irrelevant for the lives of modern western women.

But myths are nevertheless hugely powerful. I'm absolutely with you on Verdi's requiem which has an amazing ability to dramatise the story of death and judgement. And there's a moment in Bach's B minor mass, describing the crucifixion, which gives an incredibly uncomfortable feeling that something is terribly, fundamentally wrong. It's all in the harmony... but it brings out the emotions incredibly powerfully!

As a singer performing these works, my responsibility is to convey these emotions and tell this story at full intensity. But as an atheist I do feel slightly uncomfortable when I know that some people in the audience are taking this literally, and believe that I do too! Of course in operas and plays people suspend their disbelief in order to enjoy the story... unfortunately not everyone does that with these religious works!