[sirchtruth]

...where the rights of man are derived from (God, not the state), the purpose of government (to protect those God-given rights), and consequently, the basis upon which a government forfeits its legitimacy.

Exactly, and while we're at it, I am so sick of ppl making assertions of separation of church and state like God can not be mentioned anywhere in public spaces. The intent is not to take or stop ppl from praticing their religion in public, but to not force ppl to paticipate or believe. The Atheist Zealots are so elitist and pompas about not only taking God out of public, but out of everything...and I will fight to the death to keep my God, a God whom you can find NO fault, in the minds of people, in the public!

[roberbaran]

I'm an atheist. I don't want to eliminate religion: IMO, you can believe whatever you want to believe. What I took offense to was GW calling me un-American because of MY belief system (you probably recall the quote as well as I - it was made before he was elected).

I'm not un-American. In fact, I've no other belief system competing for my attention. I will never say "I refuse to obey this American law because of my religion." I know that certain religious peoples have not had that same commitment to our nation. Jehovah's Witnesses will not serve in the army, even though the draft is a law. Are they more or less un-American than I?

[Alan Chapman]

The Atheist Zealots are so elitist and pompas about not only taking God out of public, but out of everything...

You're mistaken.

Interestingly, some atheists are under the impression that certain religious zealots are elitist and pompas about not only forcing God into government, but using the force of government to coerce the financing of and participation in religion.

Is that impression correct? Or, are they mistaken?