Atheism is still a second rate religion in the country [USA] pretending not to favor any particular religion. This situation doesn't serve the country well for at least two important reasons. First, atheism is the semi official philosophy of science. Denying atheists equal treatment is just one more sign of society foolishly disrespecting science. Secondly, by shutting the door to political offices to atheists the society chooses to waiste the minds of people capable of bringing some fresh and badly needed ideas to the provincial politics dominating in the US Congress and Senate.

Some of the contemporary minds in America I respect the most belong to atheists. Jesse Ventura, George Soros and Ted Turner III are three prominent examples of how the country could benefit if it did not discriminate against atheists. One of my favorite american atheists from the past is incomparable Mark Twain.

The whole concept od separation of state and religion is understood and practiced in the United States in an absurd way. It is believed that what we need is the freedom to practice religion, it is the citizen's right to religion. However, it is the citizen's right to freedom from religion and from religious intrusions that is needed.

Historically, the idea to separate state and religion was inspired by feeling for people oppressed for their religious beliefs. But who were the oppressors? Who are the oppressors now in different parts of the world? The most intolerant and oppressive forces have always been those of religious fundamentalists and religious fanatics. If political institutions and secular governments engaged in oppressing religions it was for the simple reason that religions were viewed as political forces challenging the authority and the power of the state. I am not condoning the religious persecutions in China or in the old Soviet Union but I have to point out the simple fact that religions are expected to operate in the spiritual domain and have no business in politics. Yet curiously most of them are not satisfied with providing spiritual services to their followers and aspire to grab the political power, perhaps at the expense of spiritual.