I have a few issues with Rolf's logic. First, the AHA campaign never mentions the "A-word." The idea is to find people who, like us, prefer a rational approach to life and reject the supernatural; aka: God.

And even if the "atheist" word were included, I personally don't have a problem with that either. I do not refer to myself as an atheist just as I don't call myself a non-black, a non-gay, a non-Mormon or a "not" anything. I prefer the moniker "humanist" because it says what I am instead of what I am not. However, if you define an atheist as someone who rejects the notion of supernatural beings called "gods" then I guess I am an atheist.

Perhaps most troubling to me is Rolf's rejection of atheism and the atheist movement. Yes, I think that sometimes some atheist go overboard in their radical attacks of organized religion. Much like, in my opinion, reactionary televangelists and their ilk treat freethinkers. I have little patience for either. However, I submit that going after the atheists is wasted energy that could be better spent challenging craziness on the other side. Senator Butters is submitting a resolution to the State Senate to "encourage" businesses to use the phrase "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays." He even went so far as to declare the US a Christian nation. Apparently he isn't familiar with the US Constitution with its treaties. The freethinking family includes humanists, atheists, brights, and others who place value in rational thinking and rational behavior. Let's try to get along with each other.

--Wayne Wilson

Link to the editorial that inspired this response