Originally Posted by dabateman

If I may interject.

1) Not all religion is bad, it's the concept of fundamentalism that is troubling. Generally fundamentalists have issues with the rights of others that disagree with them. The same is true for radical atheists. Neither is willing to accept that a belief system is a very personal journey not arrived at lightly nor changed easily.

2) We should be very careful about imposing our belief systems on others by force of law. This goes for both sides. Removing religious monuments from federal grounds that have been there since the foundation of the nation is just as bad as supporting staff led prayer in the classroom. Respect and tolerance don't equate removal and silence nor do they equate imposing and demanding. There is a middle ground upon which the rights of both can and should be respected. There is a middle ground upon which both can and should come together in the spirit of solidarity and progress. Sure, there will always be differences, but as long as we defend each others right to existence and defend each others status as equal, then we shall be able to stop out the extremism that has gripped not only this country, but much of the world.