Dawkins is darling but Shermer is sexy.

Awhile back I drooled over Richard Dawkins. He's definately a cutie but he's been eclipsed in my mind by the thoughtful Michael Shermer. Via The Friendly Atheist I learned that Mr. Shermer had posted an open letter to "Messrs. Dawkins, Dennett, Harris and Hitchens," in Scientific American.

It's a good one.

Whenever religious beliefs conflict with scientific facts or violate principles of political liberty, we must respond with appropriate aplomb. Nevertheless, we should be cautious about irrational exuberance. I suggest that we raise our consciousness one tier higher for the following reasons.

Among the reasons are anti-something movements by themselves will fail and promote freedom of belief and disbelief. It's succinct and definately worth the few minutes it will take to read.

Both extremes, whether religious fundamentalist or anti-theist, seem to be getting a lot of press these days. It's nice to have someone like Michael Shermer who's willing to lead the rest of us up the calm and rational middle.