[Celtjew Libertarian]

If nothing else, Atheism most certainly has preachers -- Those who proclaim (not just believe) there is no god and that religious is foolishness (And so we're back to Dawkins) fit that category. To a certain extent, the Darwin fish, even if in response to the Christian fish is taking on many of the aspects of public display of piety, complete with religious symbol.

As for the rest, well, it depends on the denomination of atheism. Certainly communism fit many of the descriptions of an atheist faith and had many of the attributes you list.

[thomaswest]

re 43: If nothing else, Atheism most certainly has preachers -- Those who proclaim (not just believe) there is no god and that religious is foolishness ... fit that category. To a certain extent, the Darwin fish, even if in response to the Christian fish is taking on many of the aspects of public display of piety, complete with religious symbol. As for the rest, well, it depends on the denomination {are you referring to sects, denominations or cults?} of atheism. Certainly communism fit many of the descriptions of an atheist faith and had many of the attributes you list.

Surely you are joking, Mr. Celtjew

Atheists may have advocates, but atheists have no churches from which to preach and they get no tithes. Atheists get no tax-exemption, get no parsonage, no priory exemption on their taxes.

You are just silly if you think atheists have equal treatment to all the preachers, priests, pastors. Please identify atheists who get $300,000,000 per year like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell and Gary Bower and Chris Dobson. Do you know any single atheist "advocate/preacher" with such a lavish lifestyle and private jets and command of TV and radio access?

I note your quick way to link a non-belief to communism. Sheesh, you missed out nazism.

There are no atheists promoting a disrespect for religion via meaningless public displays of piety.

Atheists have no alter boys, no prayers, no church establishments, no tax-exemption, no record of sex scandals, no pastors, preachers, or priests, no coming-of-age rituals like Bar Mitzvah or confirmation, no holidays, no banned books or statements about heresy and blasphemy, no record of burning witches or heretics, no public displays of prayer or piety, no holy book supposed to contain "All Truth', no recited creed, no mythological 'transubstantions', no edifices with crosses.