As has already been pointed out, atheists are not a unified political group. I know atheists who are liberals, conservatives, and libertarians. If an atheistic candidate happened to share my political philosophy, I would vote for him, but I'd vote against him if he didn't.

I've also said before I'd rather not see atheists get too organized. Organization can lead to rigid ideology, and that's what most freethinkers don't want. We should be independent thinkers, unified only in our naturalistic perspective.

Mr. Berlinerblau would do well to begin with the statement made in the Bill Moyers’ series on PBS “Faith & Reason”. Martin Amis is quoted as saying: “"The opposite of religious belief is not secularism or atheism. It's the independence of mind — where you do your thinking alone."

Personally, I have no interest in the top down“ “mixed-martial arts combat that is an
American presidential campaign.” This ‘hiding in the group’ mentality that seeks to impose their view on others has no place in my life.

That America has a majority that chooses to be motivated by the fear of punishment or the joy of some undefined bliss in the afterlife is indicative of the failure of our institutions to educate the citizenry. Hence, our goal should be a bottom-up education of what constitutes life and living rather than a materialistic addiction to consumption and/or a praying for the day when one awakes in the life after death.

Professor Berlinerblau,

Your essay is an attempt at parody or self-parody, is it not?

Why do you insist on mixing up religious non-belief with politics?

The mixing of religion and politics has been deadly in recent years. The mixing of non-religion and politics would be just as bad.

I'm an "unbeliever" by the world's standards. I prefer to not confine myself within a label or definition, but, when forced to, I call myself an agnostic with strong Buddhist sympathies.

But I take my politics straight: a liberal Democrat who realizes fully just how awful the Democratic Party is.

I have no desire to import my agnosticism into my politics. Why in God's [!] name would I want to?
My politics has to do with real-world issues and problems, not with metaphysical speculations.

Like most "nonbelievers", and many believers, I just want to be free of preachers, bible-thumpers,
proselytizers, religious sadists and controllers, and those who would establish a religious tyranny.

The battle to be free of these pests is best waged issue-by-issue and person-by-person.

Creating a political party of "nonbelivers" would only inflame and strengthen the religious nasties.

Supporting the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a more effective way of doing battle and waging the war for sanity.

Mr. Berlinerblau presents some interesting points in his essay, but many writers seem skeptical that atheists have anything in common. Beyond being incorrect, I think the 2000 election has shown us this does not really matter. Evangelical Christians are all over the place in their social and political views, and really only agree on a few points: homosexuality and abortion (and some don't even agree with that--they just don't like atheists). Likewise, atheists share some common ground: a general distaste for religion in politics and a generally libertarian tilt (do what you want, but don't let your actions harm others). This being the case, one can spell out a compelling political platform: no government funding for faith-based organizations, no religion based restraints (on abortion, booze and cars sold on Sunday, on right to die issues), equality for everyone (including gay marriage), and a respect for science in creating federal policy. This platform may even have appeal beyond atheists and secularists--it may appeal to a fair number from the "the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party." Now we just need a rational, attractive candidate who won't scare the pants off Red-state voters--a secular John Edwards, perhaps.

I have to agree with you. I believe non-believers should get together and show how American behavior completely disregards the separation of church and state. This country was founded on freedom of religious belief and yet we are innundated with it in every form to the extent that one is considered abmormal or anarchistic if one does not believe in god. This started with the atheist movement and has stagnated. It needs to be revived.

lets take a look at this protestant run society and see that being affiliated with a religion does not make a better person...at least not here nor in any historical reference. Perhaps if we take that out of the equation we can look at the real aspect of the problem.

I agree that the non-believers of our country need to "find" each other. We need to unite and prove to those in power that atheism is not the greatest threat to our country. We are intelligent, caring, often active members of our communities who are made out to be the evil downfall of our society.