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So, being an atheist, I only piss off one more religion than a religious person :D

I can live with that ;)

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On two different TV shows the other night two people (one the host of one of the shows) both declared outright that they were atheists. It has been very obvious for a long time that they were atheists but this is the first time I’ve seen them specifically say it. So we must be heading in the right direction if people have no qualms in announcing it so publicly.

Diversity and tolerance are uncomfortable bedfellows and often sleep apart.

Personally, I don’t spend much time on arguable things (e.g., politics, religion, sexual orientation or topics like abortion). I’ve known for many years that my original thoughts on these topics often provoke angst and ire. I’ve always thought that such topics were personal anyway … I don’t feel the need to share, although it’s been nice to find the rare person whom I find believes similarly.

I’ve always found it odd - the need for public worship, which - I guess - provides tangible validation their belief is shared by others. (Hardly an indication of strength of their believf if it must be propped up with weekly brainwashing sessions) :p Even more odd (almost to the point of being sinister) is the insatiable need to convert non-believers into believers. And lastly, something that I abhor - the thought that anyone who believes differently is evil, will burn in hell, or [insert your own awful result here].

There are many religions in the world. Each one claims to be the “only right one". They can’t all be right. They really should be more tolerant of other people’s religions, because gee … odds are, if there is a “right one” … it isn’t theirs!

Anyway, I just avoid talking about such subjects in public. I generally just nod and listen and stay mum. If pressed, I’ll used the word “agnostic” and never the word “athiest". I then follow up with, “Hey, I just don’t know, right? I’d love to believe, but I’m not sure what to believe. I have a hard enough time finding time to spend with my friends and paying my bills.”

I was never in a position to be elected into public office and if a prerequisite was religious belief, I never will. I might be tempted to put “Christian” down as my faith, not only for palatable consumption, but also as a statement that religious beliefs are immaterial to the job of governing.

Having said all this, I can also see an argument that a (moderately) religious candidate may be perceived as having more empathy than an athiest candidate.

As an aside, I see you’ve answered one of your own polling questions about sexual orientation. :p

I am pretty open about the fact that I associate with atheists despite the fact that I believe…it’s actually on my blog which lots of folks read. I think you would bring a lot to the political table just based on the email conversations I’ve had with you. What a sad thing to know people are that bias.

I think in order to change the status in our country what we need is to redefine the word atheist. I think it has taken on a lot of bad connotations because people want to think they know rather than actually seeking out what is true.

I don’t live in your state but if I did I would vote for you :)