Brink: Religion is constantly reminding people of the problems in the world, but no religion offers a practical solution to them.

The only solution given by the religions of the world is for everyone to blindly follow the teachings of their book or prophet. But to follow the teachings of an ancient, contradictory and dated book is to ignore that society has changed. The rules that could be applied 2,000 years ago cannot be applied to society today.

The growth of fundamentalism within western secular society has seen the rise of extremely dangerous and conservative beliefs. The theory of evolution is actively being challenged by thousands of evangelical Christians in America. It is estimated that 45 per cent of the American population believes that the world is less than 10,000 years old. Nearly half the population of the world's only superpower rejects some of the most conclusive scientific studies of the past century.

The growth of fundamentalism has already been seen in another part of the world. It started much the same as it has in America, and the consequences of this fundamentalism were brought to the attention of the entire world on September 11th, 2001, when Osama bin Laden waged holy war against America, believing it will guarantee him and his comrades a place in a special martyrs' heaven. Islamic scholars argue that the holy war to which bin Laden refers is meant to be an internal, peaceful war. His "misinterpretation" has cost thousands of lives.

Religion should be completely phased out of society for the sake of future generations. As long as religion exists, a minority of people will have control over the majority. If man is to move forward united and in peace, then we must forget what makes us different, tear down the walls created by religious differences and accept that we all control the future of our world.

Man has within himself the ability to do great things. Everything we have accomplished so far in our short history has been a result of our own actions, and as soon as we realise that there is no omnipotent being in charge of us all we will recognise that the morals and guidelines we believe to be divine are a result of our own greatness. We created the problems of our world and we can solve them - without religion.

If we accept that this life is not just a prelude to a better afterlife, we will be able to embrace every day entirely and strive to better ourselves and all of humanity.

Cormac Dawson, Brink, St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena, Co Antrim

What the judges say: 'An important topic, handled with confidence and courage'