A tragedy took place this week. In Brazil, a Catholic priest strapped a chair to hundreds of helium-filled balloons and floated himself up into the air.

At the time of writing, he's still up there. Either that or he's gone missing, blown out to sea and to an uncertain fate. The coastguard and helicopters have been looking everywhere for him, but so far have just come up only with a bunch of brightly coloured balloons floating in the sea - but with no priest attached. Before the Reverend Father took off, he stated his belief that God would protect him. However, after he had disappeared into thick cloud and had been blown about 19 miles out to sea, he used his satellite phone to call the coast, saying something along the lines of "Help! Help! Send out a search party!". And that's the problem about placing your fate in an external deity: you never know what he's going to do next! I have nothing but respect for people of faith: wondering about the ultimate purpose of life, and one's place in the world, are preoccupations of humans since the beginning of time. But at the same time it is important not to let such questions become overwhelming and unhealthy. And having so much faith in God that you strap yourself to hundreds of balloons and float off to your death is simply crazy. So don't do it, you hear?!!

- Steve Turner