I think many people will take the overwhelming results of the August voting as a good omen. I'm not sure whether the polling says something about the direction alt.atheism is taking as a whole, or about the direction theism is taking as a whole . . . but I can't complain too loudly. The winner of the TQOTM contest for August, with an absolutely astounding 23 votes, is BALOR!!! --3-- (***nominated for its intelligence***) "Freedom of religion also should include freedom FROM religion. This is coming from a Protestant. I believe in my beliefs. I don't believe in forcing my beliefs on others, because, frankly, it isn't going to make them believe... Conversion by force ain't conversion... it's oppression." Written by Balor Nominated by dotcom, seconded by John Hattan Congratulations to Balor for earning a place of distinction in the annals of theism. Hopefully, one day, the majority of theists on Usenet will be like you. Second place goes to James McKee with 7 votes, followed by ol' YJK with 5. Congratulations to our new and old inductees into the Hall of Shame. Here is the voting record, along with a couple comments of my own. --1-- "Intolerance for other religions is a good thing. Especially if they are bad." Written by hlvawter Nominated by Yang Hu, seconded by HR Gruemm VOTES: 2 Elf Sternberg Shyone [Makes sense. Christianity is bad; let us therefore not tolerate it. Right? -QM] --2-- "I'm an atheist." Written by Teresita Nominated by Aaron Spielman, seconded by ClayeSkye --3-- (***nominated for its intelligence***) "Freedom of religion also should include freedom FROM religion. This is coming from a Protestant. I believe in my beliefs. I don't believe in forcing my beliefs on others, because, frankly, it isn't going to make them believe... Conversion by force ain't conversion... it's oppression." Written by Balor Nominated by dotcom, seconded by John Hattan VOTES: 23 Dark Angel Pat Kiewicz John Hattan Kalle Helenius Paul Koeck Sylvan Korvus Fish Liz Landis D. Ragon Dan McEwen Randall G Keith Brannen Nemo DJ Nozem Paul the Wall Tom Murray Frank Wustner HR Gruemm Jack Thornton Angelico Tukla Ratte Eric99gt Decimal * * * * --4-- "Shockingly enough, a lot of the hygeine laws support the existence of God because they show foreknowlege of germs and the like." Written by Mr. GoodSalt Nominated by Stephen Knight, seconded by Aaron Spielman [Read the Qu'ran. -QM] * * * * --5-- "You've got ME all wrong though. I beleive in certain aspects of evolution (not everything). In fact, I beleive God created the heavens and the earth via Natural Selection." Written by ej Nominated by Petteri Sulonen, seconded by John Popelish VOTES: 3 Jessica Wolfman Steve Shriver Diem Marshall [Naturally. -QM] * * * * --6-- "Actually if one researches, atheists are actually Satanists and don't know it." Written by Rob Seeger Nominated by Peter Kelley, seconded by Dan Fake [See John Hattan's quote, number 13 on the August AQ ballot. -QM] * * * * --7-- "The lord thy god is not mocked. Read your bible dumbass." Written by Brendan Casey Nominated by Drake, seconded by Petteri Sulonen VOTES: 1 Mike Smith * * * * --8-- "Atheists are not allowed to spread their evil, under the disguise of "science", "human rights", and "secularism". The important question is, what are you willing to do about us?" Written by AmericanMuslim Nominated by David G. Dick, seconded by Charles Ward [Leave you to your delusions, of course. -QM] * * * * --9-- "GOD is as much as your imagination. Up to you." Written by Y(2?)JK Nominated by Eric99gt, seconded by Joe Zadaowski * * * * --10-- "The fire in hell is really the love of God raining down on those who have rejected Him." Written by James McKee Nominated by Elroy Willis, seconded by Liz VOTES: 7 Therion Ware Joe Zawadowski Dave Holloway Michelle Martin Elroy Willis Brian King dotcom [Ah, the joys of not having to ensure coherency in applying otherwise normal concepts to supernatural beings! -QM] * * * * --11-- (In response to:) > > Yep, if reason and common sense contradict the bible, throw out reason > > and common sense. "Yep. When they contradict God, toss 'em right out." Written by Cory Collins Nominated by Al Klein, seconded by Jessica Wolfman VOTES: 1 Roy Thearle [At least he's honest about his intellectual hypocrisy. Give him that much. -QM] * * * * --12-- "The evidence for creation is so overwhelming that even God says that there is not one bit of an excuse for not seeing it." Written by Casey Nominated by Czar, seconded by Gregory Gyetko VOTES: 3 Czar Yang Hu Craig Hoyer * * * * --13-- "Neither God or Science is perfect, but God is." Written by ej Nominated by Paul Koeck, seconded by Larry Moran VOTES: 3 Aaron Spielman Darryl Pierce Ed Stoebenau * * * * --14-- "I'm a living proof GOD accept ignorant peoples. As long as I have reverence toward HIM." Written by YJK Nominated by raven1, seconded by Yang Hu VOTES: 5 Carl Funk Peter Kelly Michelle Malkin Clothaire Tom Stoudt [What makes you exempt from the ignorance of the athiests? -QM] Quotemeister Dave