[Theodore R.]

I'm perfectly willing from the standpoint of public and "official" life to let people worship whichever deity they believe in, or even none at all.

We agree then. I just cannot intellectually defend atheism, but it is apparent that an atheist can be a "fool" (the Bible's term, not mine) if he wishes.

[strela]

We agree then. I just cannot intellectually defend atheism, but it is apparent that an atheist can be a "fool" (the Bible's term, not mine) if he wishes.

I agree too. But again, you're citing an "authority" (the Bible in this case) that atheists pay no more stock in than they do Mad magazine when it comes to the imposition of moral authority. It is a logical fallacy to appeal to an authority that the other side does not recognize or respect.