" If there really is no Creator or intelligent design then it must be survival of the fittest and no one would need to respect anyone, right? Or is that just too simple?"

David, that's simplistic. Darwin never mentioned "survival of the fittest". That comes from Herbert Spencer, a philosopher around Darwin's time. An either/or argument doesn't apply here. It so happens that atheists and Freethinkers have historically been shown to not only respect other people but have been at the forefront of social issues and constructive social change.

I think it is socially constructive and important to question the "belief" systems that pull our country and others into meaningless wars and assassinations justified by religious zealots. Apparently Slag doesn't think this is important enough. This is why we can't keep "belief" to ourselves unconditionally. The issue has to be faced. Will we allow religious zealotry to dictate political debates? What about the effrontery of those seven
U.S. Republican senators who went on record that they didn't believe in Evolution? Is this not an important issue? What about George Bush receiving his "messages" about Iraq from a god?

The true test of an atheist is to be able to discuss what happens when "belief" gets out of control. It is out of control now and the First Amendment is being violated daily by religious zealots.

An examination of religious beliefs is in order for society to function smoothly. We need
to have an intelligent discussion about religion and not knee-jerk reaction or try to sweep the religious issues under the carpet as Slag has suggested that we do.

It's perfectly fine for those who want to believe in Santa Claus or the Flat-Earth Society
but when religion becomes a vehicle for violence (and make no mistake, it is) then we must discuss it.

Right now, Nixon's former Watergate conspirator Coulson is attempting to Christianize
the prison system in the U.S. by rewarding believers and making those who don't second-class prisoners. The Army Air Force Cadet Training program is attempting to Christianize
recruits by forcing religion down their throats. Is this not important? Billy Graham has been at the right hand of almost every president in violation to the Separation of Church and State.

What we need is more discussion about the efficacy of "belief" than a denial of this issue.