Hi Sgt Pepper...welcome to the forum.
The story you mention may have some credibility although I think it highly unlikely the reaction of the UN official was one of shock (if there was a UN official at all). About a year ago a "philosopher" from Cornwall by the name of Anthony Last devised a formula for morality and started a movement called formulism to promote it :
Dubbed "Formulism," founder Antony Last says of his equation: "Nothing on earth has had a more damaging and divisive effect upon mankind than organised religion. Now, more than ever before, the world is in desperate need of an alternative; something with the power to unite people of all faiths and backgrounds, including atheists and agnostics. That's the purpose of Formulism. It completely destroys artificial divisions, such as those created by religion and patriotism, leaving behind the only distinction with inherent meaning: how people treat each other as individuals (something which is also at the heart of every religion). Formulism facilitates the cessation of religious activity, like the laying down of arms, without anyone having to forsake either God or morality."
The equation itself, which defines good and evil, looks like this:
G = A + P(x) F - N and E = A + N(x) F - P
And translates as:
Good = Action plus Positive (or potentially positive) effect minus obvious Negative consequences.
Evil = Action plus Negative (or potentially negative) effect minus obvious Positive consequences.
In January he proposed to submit a resolution to the United Nations to outlaw religion. Here is a copy of the resolution :
Freedom from Religion | Proposed UN Resolution / Charter Amendment | Version 1.1
WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS HEREBY VOW
* to save succeeding generations from the scourge of organized religion, a folly which has brought untold sorrow to mankind through the division, hatred and conflict it engenders, and
* to reaffirm an individual's right to freedom of belief, freedom of conscience and freedom of prayer, and
* to establish conditions under which these freedoms can be privately exercised.
AND FOR THESE ENDS WE UNDERTAKE
1. To outlaw, with immediate effect, the public expression of religious beliefs, including the use of symbols, clothing or markings which are synonymous with any currently or previously existing religions.
2. To outlaw, with immediate effect, public acts of worship or religious declaration.
3. To outlaw, with immediate effect, private gatherings of three or more people for the purposes of engaging in acts of worship or religious services.
4. To outlaw, with immediate effect, the publication of books, literature or articles which seek to promote religious beliefs or encourage adherence to religious doctrine.
5. To outlaw, after a period of amnesty, the personal ownership of books or materials which seek to promote religious beliefs or encourage adherence to religious doctrine. (Books of academic or social interest will be made freely available to schools, universities and public libraries).
6. To outlaw, with immediate effect, the celebration of religiously significant dates.
7. To begin, with immediate effect, the destruction or reassignment of predominantly religious buildings, such as churches, mosques and temples.
I do not know whether he actually submitted it to the UN or what their reaction was. I also have reservations as to whether his intent was serious. Cornwall is known for its eccentrics but they usually spend their energy declaring independence from Britain. Anyway, there was a thread on it at the time (http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/65716/1.ashx) if you are interested.
