Gary DeSomber, West Des Moines

Letter to the Editor

I found Daniel Finney's July 31 column interesting [Emails show Democrats disrespect for atheists], as I'm uncertain why there is this fear or hatred toward atheists. Atheism is really one plain and simple thing — a lack of belief in any god.

Not hatred of a god or religious person, just a non-belief. I don't hate a person who has cancer without hating cancer. I don't hate a child who believes in Santa Claus or unicorns. I simply do not share their belief. I have no agenda. I do not worship the devil or anything else. I believe in science, but do not worship it.

The national goal of the American Atheist Association is twofold — separation of church and state and to offer support to those who are like-minded and know they are not alone in a country where the majority have a religion. I do not deny we're in a minority, but elimination of atheism worldwide would be accomplished easily — just prove there is a god.

Proving a negative is impossible. You can't prove there is no Easter bunny or tooth fairy, so I can't prove there is no god. The burden of proof is on those who tell me I should worship their god. Prove it exists and I'll be happy to worship it. Any god. Poof! Atheism gone forever.

— Gary DeSomber, West Des Moines