I'd say it's more linked to the emotional abuse priests subject people to -- especially children. Convince them about hellfire, tell them they will burn if they disobey the priest and Voila -- it's open season! Perhaps it's not so much abstinence that makes the priest go fondle -- as indoctrinated obedience lets the priests go fondle?

That's just typical of atheists -- wanting to do the moral thing!

The catholic church has already come up with the "truth" -- according to the vatican exorcist; satan did it!

Abstinence makes the priests go fondle.

Out with "one nation indivisible" and "E pluribus unum," and in with god. Now the nation is divided by religious intrusion. Yep, that's really what the founders intended!

It's really very simple -- catholics love to see people suffer!

I hope the obnoxious SOB wins too! Not only is he the best advertisement against religion we could ask for, but if he loses blasphemy laws will get support as well.

I'd like to see secular affirmations ("promise to tell the truth under penalty of perjury") be the default (if not the only option) in all judicial proceedings. Similarly, I'd like to see the same in all other government proceedings. There's absolutely no reason why a religious rite ("So help me god") should be the default in any government proceedings of a secular democratic republic.

Here's the appropriate Doonesbury cartoon:

http://stupidevilbastard.com/2006/01/doonesbury_takes_on_creationism/

The obvious question -- given that the USA is a secular democratic republic -- is why isn't the secular affirmation the default in every case? There's absolutely no need for a religious oath at all -- and it's time this issue was addressed by all organizations that claim to be against religious oppression.

The USA already has 4 ambassadors to the vatican: Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, and Alito.

"These ads are not saying what the atheists believe, they are attacking what other people believe," he said. "And if you look at the dictionary definition for ... bigot, that's exactly what it is, to be intolerant of someone else's belief system."

Well, some religious folks believe it's OK to throw acid in girls faces to stop them going to school -- so I guess I'm a bigot!

I suspect that the current "stop worrying and enjoy your life" reinforces the [erroneous] notion that lack of religion promotes immoral hedonism. Thus, I suggest something like:

Heaven and hell? For goodness' sake, let's grow up and be happy and free!

...or, slightly longer:

There is no heaven and hell? For goodness' sake, let's grow up and be happy and free!

I have a mole that resembles the virgin Mary on my ass. Will the whole team of psychologists, theologians, priests and exorcists have to look at it? How closely?

;-)

How about a longer message:

Don't waste your time praying to fictional characters from bronze-age mythology? Go do something that really helps the world!

Great to see the campaign doing well. One tiny change I'd have liked to have seen would have been "gods" [plural]. That way, the point about most people already being atheistic with regard to most deities in history could have helped get the basic message across.

BTW, off topic but worth sharing: I just heard a George W from his farewell press conference this morning. He told the assembled media that they had "misunderestimated him" during his presidency.

For once, it's hard to disagree with him! ;-)

However, I think you'd agree that a BS in Biology (or chem, physics, etc.) is MUCH more demanding than a BS in physical education. Shouldn't more work be rewarded with higher pay?

Your point is well taken, but getting a science BS doesn't mean you can teach competently. Frankly, what is needed is a politics-free way of rewarding ALL good teachers (and getting rid of the lousy ones).

Unfortunately, this will probably come about around the same time organized religion fades from the planet!

I teach science in the US. There is absolutely no financial incentive to teach here. We are paid the same amount as gym teachers.

It's a shame you had to slur physical education teachers to make your point. All teachers are underpaid!

You should also take care given that many math teachers from education departments likely have less science content than most physical education graduates.

One of Newtons inventions is missing! If you want to know what it is, and where to read about it, go to: http://www.samosbooks.org/astronomical_minds.html

The book is a great Solstice present!

This without-superstition-life-has-no-meaning opinion is just that--an opinion!

The premise of this opinion seems to be along the lines of "I believe, therefore I am," and it's self-deceptive corollary seems to be "If you don't believe, you are not!"

Time will tell with Obama, but given the contrast with the likes of bible spice, I'm very optimistic!

What's so remarkable about walking on water? Where I live (Minnesota) people walk across lakes several months of the year!

Glenn, shrug off the rest of the dogma. You'll feel like the weight of a young earth has been lifted from your shoulders!

If Florida were less religious it might be more apt to state the truth and have the following slogans:

In gouging tourists we trust!

and/or:

In exploiting minorities we trust!

It seems there is a new study on religion every couple weeks, and each time they take the opposite stance ... religion improves your health! .... religion makes you depressed .... religion makes you jump higher! ..... religion makes you impotent.

Of course, but faith requires that you ignore the contrary evidence. Only then can you see how wonderful religion is!

Oh man -- I thought the nutty preacher competition was a dead heat between McCain's and Obama's fruitcakes, but this Pastor Kalnins guy has just propelled the GOP into the lead!

Reinforces my long held view that it's better to be a licensed publican than a registered republican!

;-)

A concept these people don't understand:

herd immunity.

Even if they did, I wonder if they'd care about putting everybody else at greater risk?

The blonde girl was priceless.

...and she thinks ID is a "theory!"

The Reverend Mackerel's God can co-exist peacefully with science. So can Santa Claus, who need not exist in order to make our yuletide season more jolly.

Ho Ho Ho!

Apart from the obvious nonsense, a key point here is whether these catholic schools are taxpayer funded? If they are, UK taxpayers should be up in arms!

What an irony to see one group of dogmatists stymied by another!