Check out http://www.njfordemocracy.org/, and fill out “Dave Silverman” after checking the “Other” box. Spread the word! Let’s see how many votes we can get if we all try together.No, I’m not actually thinking Gov-elect Corzine would pick me to be a Senator, but it wouldn’t be bad if I got a few hundred votes, now would it?ADDENDUM — The Poll is now closed

Yum. I can taste it now, the True Holy Day approaches! Fiest, friends, and football.Thanksgiving is a big deal at chez Silverman, where we traditionally do what everyone else does — we go to Mom’s. Mom likes go around the table and have everyone say what they’re thankful for. Some people are thankful to God, but I make it a point to be thankful to people at the table. I’m not thankful to God for my wife, I’m thankful to my wife for all she does for me. You get the picture. Works great — I sound more heartfelt and sincere (because I am), and never acknowledge a deity.So here’s a good subject for the day! Tell us your stories and give advice on Atheist/theist family events. Are you dreading Thanksgiving because maybe religion will come up? Do you have advice for people who do? Spread the wisdom on this thread!

http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/calvi5.htmThis is straight out of the Godfather. Religion, murger, conspiracy, money, it’d be a really cool movie if it wasn’t true!

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20051117071809990002Here’s an article about a church complaining that it may lose its exempt status because it preached politics.Wah, wahh, wahh! There are more religious organizations in this country than there are pizza places. They own almost as much land as the government, and the pay no property taxes.Then they cry and whine when they break the law and get caught. Waahhhhh!There is no reason a club should have tax exemption unless it serves the community as a whole — not just its members. Tax exemption is a privilege, not a right, and thinking there is a magic man in the sky doesn’t change that.American Atheists works hard to serve its community beyond its membership (such as having a fantastic free research library and championing civil rights for all Atheists) to keep its nonprofit status. For a church to do nothing to keep similar benefits, and then to complain when they lose those benefits because they KNOWINGLY BROKE THE LAW (allegedly), well, boo-freaking-hoo!

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20051118013809990001Today, 80+ people died while peacefully praying in their mosques — killed by people of the same religion.My biggest problem with all these suicide bombings is that I’m getting used to it. 80 lives are gone — 80 families impacted. It’s happening so often that I am beginning to feel less horrified when it happens. I’m actually becoming more accustomed to it. Not the person I want to be.I’m reminded of the IRA bombing of a bus several years back that resulted in children dying — it was a turning point in support for the IRA. They never recovered. How long before these sub-humans lose their support as well?