i have in my mind a vision of the forces of religion and freethought arrayed against each other. each side has its multitudes and its champions. the battle is fought with forceful words and powerful ideas and the prizes are the hearts and minds of men and women. the armies of skepticism are small and beleaguered, but they are strong, trained and well fortified. every day warriors abandon one cause and defect to the other side. many reject the sharp whips and dark encouragement of their god-fearing captains flock to the harsh, bright banners of science and doubt.

wielding the standard of natural selection on the side of skepticism is a bent and bearded man. the religious forces swell against him, each seeking to be the one to forever put to rest his deadly truth. their dull arguments are unable to pierce his armor and fall in great piles about his feet. his guard rallies about him and carry his powerful ideas further into the field, and the soon the ranks of the religious in that part of the field break and scatter, unable to withstand the relentless march of science.

the battle is long. billions continue to flock to the banner of religion, but for many, their heart is not in the fight–though they have no desire to abandon their captains and comrades, they see no reason in raising their weapons against so mighty a foe. have they not benefited from the hands of their enemies? is it not the medicine, physics and engineering of science which brings so much goodness to their lives? these stand about the battlefield in confusion, or lumber half-heartedly into the fray. a few run to join the banners of light and truth.

the battle rages on. both sides are strong, but the armies of truth are mightier than any foe and welcome all challengers.