[Hoot Gibson]

Christians are not "looked down upon" by very many people in this country because most Americans consider themselves to be Christians. Atheists are looked down upon by most Americans because they are a minority whose most vocal members are among the most intolerant members of our society. The hatred of Christianity in this country by a small minority is both irrational and self defeating.

Atheists seek acceptance of society while attempting to rid the landscape of religious displays symbols through the courts. This country was founded by people who (along with their forefathers) fled the religious persecution of Europe and employing religious intolerance to advance a political agenda is no way to win friends and influence people.

There are, of course exceptions, to almost every rule. Christopher Hitchens, a very liberal, talented, and well known writer, who recently died after a long bout with cancer, was probably this country's most famous atheist at the time of his death. Hitchens, unlike most well known atheists, had no trouble in distinguishing between the evil of radical Muslims who want to slaughter Jews and other infidels, and peaceful followers of Christianity and other major religions of this world.