For some it's a trip down memory lane but a lot of these were new to sleuth. Apple's first in particular raised a grin. Nothing that complex would be allowed today.

There have been a few viruses that carried political and occasionally religious messages but this is the first case the Sleuth can remember where the Christians have got involved. Whatever happened to turning the other cheek?

On one level I can understand the growing fear of atheism that appears over the internet among the religious. Some atheists, Richard Dawkins in particular, are remarkably stupid with their cleverness.

While one cannot conclusively prove the existence or non-existence of a god there is nothing to be gained in the debate by insulting someone's beliefs. As the 17^th century philosopher Baruch Spinoza said "I have striven not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, nor to hate them, but to understand them."

But the decision of some Christians to hack a MySpace page, bomb an abortion clinic, or beat someone to death like Matthew Shepherd shows a profound insecurity of faith. Surely if you are confident that a god will recognise truth then that is enough. Bullying is no answer.