All too often I see commentators on the right attempt to vilify and attack others by describing them as “godless,” as “atheists,” or otherwise insist that they aren’t “real” believers like others. These conservatives seem to believe that the mere accusation of disbelief should be sufficient to disqualify a person from serious consideration.

The latest example of such nonsense comes from radio show host Michael Savage talking about Hillary Clinton, as quoted by Media Matters:

SAVAGE: Then you have Hillary Clinton, the most Godless woman in the Senate, right out of the Marxist playbook, speaking at the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast, so as all politicians, suddenly she becomes religious. And here she is opening up her speech to the Hispanics who actually believe in God...

Hillary Clinton is not “godless.” She’s a Methodist, has long been a Methodist, and has long asserted that her Methodist faith is important to her life. Just because a person doesn’t agree with Michael Savage’s religious beliefs doesn’t make them “godless.” I’m godless. I’m an atheist. I don’t think that Michael Savage would know an atheist if he tripped over one — and if he were to dispute that, I’d gladly volunteer to trip him in an experiment to determine for sure.

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