We do see many religious groups, though, invading the public schools, insisting that students in classrooms, even fans at school athletic events, participate in or be subjected to public prayer and other religious ritual. I don t see any atheist organizations or freethought groups wanting a hand-out in the form of government subsidies. Last time I looked, I didn t see any atheists marching outside a local church demanding that it be shut down. The day after Vice President Gore was denouncing anti-religious views, there was an article in the San Antonio Express News about civic and religious leaders who are joining together to deny a liquor license to a local strip joint. Imagine if atheists began acting that way.
Atheists are a mixed lot, just like any other group in society.
They can ethical or dishonest, pleasant or revolting, thoughtful or impulsive. Using the term atheist or freethinker to describe one s self is not a badge of exclusion from error, or criticism by others, any more than use of the term Christian or believer automatically renders one wholesome, moral and deserving of respect. Look at the status of the First Amendment in America, though, and it is not the atheists, the freethinkers, or anyone else who might be covered by that term anti-religious who are threatening civil liberties and undermining the establishment clause. The atheists are not attempting to enact special legislation that would immunize us from the civil laws which apply to everyone else in society. Many of the religious denominations in America are seeking that privilege for themselves, however, which is why they support the Religious Liberty Protection.