We are not alone. Two people have begun the Rational Response Squad movement to raise awareness about atheism. There are elements of this which are long overdue. They are right, that atheists are currently fair game. They do not garner the respect afforded gays, Hispanics, or even Muslims. Hell, Bush Sr. stated that he didn’t believe atheists should be citizens and certainly weren’t patriots. After all, this is one nation under God. You have to go aways to find a group so irrelevant that a campaigning politician will openly strafe them. However, in fairness, we are hardly the last minority.

I think the education of the American people that atheists are just normal people who have a different (in this case absent) view of religion is a useful step. We are not immoral anarchists. Although, I’m not sure I can really get behind The Blasphemy Challenge. It is getting attention (and that seems to be 80% of its goal), but if we are going to get respect for our view, it will not be achieved by disrespecting other religions. This is not about de-godding the theists. It’s about acceptance and respect. Or at least it should be.

Of 1,200 adults interviewed between Jan. 24 and Jan. 26, 31.9% rated a mate met online as the worst outcome for a daughter, followed closely by someone met in a bar (22.3%) and then a Trekkie (16.1%).

Now this could be interpreted as a bit of misguided fear. Clearly most people online are as harmless as most people in bars. However, a few in both locations are dangerous enough that caution is warranted. But that aside, the good news is that Trekkies rated as the best among the worst. While hardly high praise, it means that Mom & Dad may be on your side Ensign Skippy. Now, if only their daughter would give you the time of day. Too bad she’s online with all the drunk bikers.

“Live long and prosper.”