This may be the first time I respond to a letter to the editor on my blog instead of on the site where the letter appears. But since I find the content so patently offensive, I need to vent here. Here’s the wingnut’s editorial, unaltered by me or anyone else:

It’s time to stomp out atheists in America. The majority of Americans would love to see atheists kicked out of America. If you don’t believe in God, then get out of this country.

The United States is based on having freedom of religion, speech, etc., which means you can believe in God any way you want (Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, etc.), but you must believe.

I don’t recall freedom of religion meaning no religion. Our currency even says, ”In God We Trust.” So, to all the atheists in America: Get off of our country.

People like Gail Pepin (The Chronicle, Oct. 11) have caused the ruin of this great nation by taking prayer out of our schools and being able to practice what can only be called evil. I don’t care if she has never committed a crime, she is the reason crime is rampant.

To The Chronicle, please do not give atheists a voice. You do more harm than good.

Gloria ”Wendy” Ray, Aiken, S.C.

So many points to make, so little time. So let’s get to it. To Ms. Ray:

1. You’re an idiot. I didn’t go out on a limb with that one, now did I?

2. If you’d be so kind as to point out which survey you’ve seen that shows the majority of Americans want atheists deported, I’d greatly appreciate it.

3. “The United States is based on having freedom of religion, speech, etc., which means you can believe in God any way you want (Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, etc.)” is correct. However, “…but you must believe” is grossly incorrect. There is no constitutional or statutory requirement that Americans must believe in some god or another! Such a reqirement may exist in the Islamic Republic of Iran, but it does not exist in America.

4. “I don’t recall freedom of religion meaning no religion.” Well, it does. You are free to abstain from worshiping in any religion in this country.

5. “So, to all the atheists in America: Get off of our country.” I didn’t realize that atheists were ON our country?

Seriously, you have to believe in SOME god or another? Can you be a Muslim? Because according to the Christian religion, Muslims are going to Hell, so what difference does it make if someone goes to Hell for being Muslim as opposed to being an atheist? Think it through, lady!

I have said this before, and I will say it again: I believe in God as described in the Holy Bible, and I believe every word of the Bible. As such, I believe that when we die, if we have not accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, we will burn in Hell for eternity (do not debate me on this, for I am not going to change my mind).

Having said that, we live in a country where we are free to damn our souls to Hell if we so choose. Quite frankly, I like it that way. I do not want a theocracy here. The way I see it, if atheists want to live their lives like there are no consequences to their beliefs or actions, then how about I let God worry about that? I’ve got my own fish to fry, plus I’ve got my own messes to clean up, so if it’s all the same to you folks, whatsay I let the Almighty take care of that “salvation and judgment” thing of other people?