I have some mixed thoughts on expressing myself on this topic.  I was just reading some agricultural Eastern philosophy which made an excellent and simple point.  The very short version -- there is no good without bad, and therefore taking sides in a debate to some extent separates one from mere existence and propels one into an artificially created human construct.  So, liking this thought, I suppose I should adopt it an just avoid engaging in this issue.

But on the other hand, I sense a general hegemony that props up religious thought in America, and allows it to seep into the debates on all issues now.  And I am so strongly partisan in my own understanding on this topic -- and I also believe that too few of us from this perspective stand up and say this in open public on a regular basis -- that I'll jump in and say it.  As I did recently in another comment.

It is simple.  And I know many here agree (and equally many probably think it is awful for an atheist to say it out loud).  But there is no evidence for any god.  No evidence for unicorns.  And precious little evidence for the Montauk Monster.  Or, sadly, the Flying Spaghetti Monster.  As rational beings, we should reject the irrational, especially when it starts to get in the way of policy, elections, etc.  For those religiously oriented liberals, soft agnostics, etc., who are unwilling to confront this reality -- I'm afraid that your own willingness to participate in this mass suspension of disbelief with the other religious fundamentalist in this country (with so many truly ridiculous variations on how their particular imaginary sky god takes an active interest in our lives) only encourages this silly debate about religious topics over important issues.

If everyone just started laughing hysterically every time someone mentioned their imaginary friend and his/her/its impact on world events -- then perhaps we could all encourage people to keep their imaginary deities to themselves -- and perhaps CNN would stop assisting in publishing such tripe.

I'm saying that by failing to openly question unsupported, silly religious viewpoints when they are bandied about in public debates, those of us who are full atheists are allowing it to happen.

It is fucking sad that our leader goes to China, and on a worldwide broadcast talks about how China is ready to accept Christianity.  Someday, if that tape survives long enough, and if this planet survives long enough, his words will be studied by future homo sapiens and mused at in the same way we would find it quaint and ridiculous that a Viking thanked Odin after he was successfully raided a village.  It is ridiculous.

Seriously.  Examine your deity -- for those "believers" -- and understand, for crying out loud, that you are nearly as much of an atheist as BostonJoe (and others here) with respect to all other fictional gods that have come before.  As is very popular to say nowadays. We are just atheists about one more god.

I'm one atheist who is just completely fed up with having to respect the views of believers, and being questioned or challenged when we happen to point out that the idea of all gods is kind of stupid.  It is kind of stupid to base any life decision based on a fairy tale.  And I seriously believe the environment of giving open respect to fairy tale worshipers leads to CNNs injecting this junk into a national election.

There.  I feel a lot less zen now.

"Have you no sense of decency, sir. At long last, have you left no sense of decency?" -- Boston Attorney Joseph Welch, taking down Sen. Joseph McCarthy.