I like this. Darwin's religious views will always be his own, but we can certainly count him as a freethinker. Thanks for posting this.

I feel helpless. When Katrina struck Mississippi, the damage in the north part of the state was significant, but after a couple of weeks we had it cleaned up. After that, I was able to make trips to the coast to help where I could.

I remember visiting one home on the coast. It was "the home"... every other house surrounding it within eyesight had been demolished. I had to pass through a military checkpoint to reach it. I was helping this family put their lives back together and I still felt helpless.

I cannot visit Haiti, and I can only imagine that the level of destruction there is on the same magnitude that was on the coast. I will be making a donation to Doctors Without Borders.

I must agree with you here. The forces in favor of theocracy are banking on apathy, but they won't get it. When I was in Memphis to hear the Dan Barker talk, it was refreshing to see so many people turn out and cheer Mr. Barker on when he talked about making sure our government remains neutral to religion.

Yes, they are better financed and have a strong presence on the Internet and radio. We have the courts on our side and while we don't have the money, we too have plenty of support from the public. This is an exciting time to be a separation of church and state activist.

Good luck to the people of Ireland as they have to combat their own evil thoughts! Mind crimes!

Any time you post a quote from George Carlin, I get a little misty eyed. I miss the guy. He was sharp all the way up to the day he passed.

It's not a mind crime to say that I don't believe in god here in Mississippi, but I still hide behind a fake name. Oh well. This too shall pass.

I know I'm late to the party on this, but I have to agree. It's January 4th, and I wish they'd stop setting off fireworks where I live. Knock it off! Some of us are trying to be heathens and do "heathen things" (whatever that may be).

"Grumpy atheist" is an example of self-fulfilling prophecy: I'm going to be a grumpy atheist if these idiots keep calling me a grumpy atheist.

To the Christians that read our website: I think it's swell that you revere the words and teachings of a certain Jewish carpenter. I must admit that Jesus was a pretty smart guy. I hope you balance those teachings with the teachings of other smart people, like Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr., and Confucius. Do not believe that any one person holds a monopoly on truth. Thanks, and have a reasonable holiday!

Garrison Keillor is one of my favorite writers. I dutifully listen to his radio program and keep up with his books. When I read his recent article, I was shocked and disappointed. Christmas should not be exclusive to Christians.

I like your position statement on atheism. There is no set ideology that is required to be an atheist. We are all different. Thanks for the good post.

Reason's Greetings to you too, VJack.

Dear Cecil (if you are reading)-

Do your job. Do it well. Make the people of North Carolina say, "He's my elected representative and I'm glad to have him on my side."

It will make the secular community proud.

You are a funny guy who should write more often when drunk.

By the way, it's the egg: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/05/26/chicke...