I’m turning over the reigns of the blog this week to Jesse Galef. Jesse has worked for the American Humanist Association and the Secular Coalition for America and is a contributing writer at Friendly Atheist. I also hear he’s a breakdancer, which makes him way cooler than me.

Give him a warm welcome! He’ll start posting tomorrow morning.

by VorJack

We’re coming up on All Hallows Eve. According to one version of the story, this is the night when the gates of Purgatory are opened, and all the souls wander the earth.

So it seems like an appropriate time to recognize all the good folks for whom reading this blog must be a sort of purgatory. (Remember kids, only professionals should attempt segues like that.)

Of course, I’m talking about the Christian readers — and other theistic readers — who read and contribute to this blog. Let’s face it, atheist blogs can quickly become boring echo chambers. Sure there’s a bit of disagreement, but most of the fun comes from the believers who show up. From the drive-bys who hassle us once and provoke a flurry of responses, to the long term contributers who routinely wade into the discussion and try to prove that all Christians are not Ray Comfort.

Thanks to all of you. And particular thanks to Christians like brgulker and JonJon, who’ve been sticking it out in the comments for a while. And John C, whatever the hell you are, thanks to you too.

I’m sure that if there is a God, he’s looking down on you with a smile, saying, “… what the hell are they at that site for? That does it, next time I create a people, I’m making fewer masochists.”

Be sure to check out the new Unreasonable Faith Forum. This is where the community can discuss anything together. You can start your own topics and anyone can reply. It’ll help you to get to know one another and provide — as they say in fundieville — some “fun and fellowship.”

All that’s missing is the fried chicken and Bible thumpin’.

Enjoy!