Mother Theresa may have had a dark side, but the myth says otherwise. There are some myths that are better left alone. I think this is one of them. Atheists have much bigger fish to fry than a tiny dead nun who is perceived as a great humanitarian.

It was patently stupid – a PR nightmare. This happens as on the whole – our numbers have been growing and many have become more vocal.

There have recently been far more atrocious abuses of the establishment clause against which to rise.

Oh well. Live and learn. I just hope the damage from this turns out to be minimal.

- Science education in the schools
- Climate change
- GLBT issues
- Evolution
- Women’s rights
- Energy conservation

Jesus jumping Christ on a pogo stick! He just came off as another “kooky” atheist freaking out over “In God We Trust”, blah, blah, blah.

I think the Daily Show did him a favor by making him look like a jackass. Maybe FFRF and the whole “crabby” atheist movement needs to re-evaluate its message. When you start looking as bad as the religious right – only liberal – something is wrong.

He should have known better than to give them the building blocks of funny that he did. I don’t care how many hours of footage they edited down to how many minutes — anyone who has seen the Daily Show knows what the deal is, and anyone acting as a spokesperson for an organization should know to stay on message the whole time, no matter how long the cameras are there.

If you are going to take on a public figure like Mother Theresa with a public image that is basically made of sunshine and halos, you have to find a ten second way to communicate your message without sounding kooky. If that is impossible, don’t start that campaign.

And if you are sitting with a TV reporter and you find yourself starting a sentence with “I don’t want to say this publicly,” the proper end to that sentence can only be, “so I will shut up now.”

Finally, I agree that while a religious postage stamp can be seen as improper, separation of church and state-wise, there are bigger fish to fry in this movement. The religious right continues work hard to keep women from controlling their reproductive systems and to prevent LGBTQ Americans from accessing the equal rights everyone else has. And of course evolution and climate change denial is still hurting everyone. FFRF, reevaluate.

In regards to the appearance, meh. A decent interview with Stewart would be nice (maybe next book?) but overall the whole thing was set up for comedy. Barker is smart enough to have realized that before going in, so he played along. Bully for him.

In regards to the Mother Theresa stamp, meh. FFRF has a valid complaint, but this is honestly something that doesn’t affect us. Unlike money, if you don’t like a particular design of stamp you can get another design. Stamps have become little more than collectors items if my mail is any indication – my letters come ‘stamped’ by en electronic meter, if I even get letters any more.

There’s a good case to be made against putting Mother Theresa on a stamp based on her biography, but its a nuanced position and therefore not at all one that you’re going to get on the show. Dan should have declined the interview.

Btw, ffrf.org radio will most likely talk about the show this weekend. Can’t wait to hear Dan’s side, including how long the interview went.

Not only that but this piece made me realize how many people really believe that mother Teresa was a good person.

You have to look at this piece the same way every piece they do like this. Are you there thinking these people are reasoned, or do you think they’re whackjobs? I for one think the latter about those people, and I think the audience reaction mirrors that.