So peaceful Muslims find it safe to live here?  Um, Peter?  Have you heard how many of your right-wing colleagues think Islam isn't even a legitimate religion?  And about the profiling that's gone on since 9-11?  And if atheists find it safe, then how they still face being stigmatized in much of this country?  And did he remember that Thomas Jefferson got slammed up and down during his presidential bid for being an "unbeliever"?  Or that it was common as late as the 1960s to legally bar atheists from holding office?

Earlier, Heck claimed that only a Christian society can be a free society.

Our Founding Fathers were wise and learned individuals who were students of political philosophy.  When crafting the basis for our civilization, they could have chosen any of a number of belief systems, but they chose Christianity for a reason.  No, it was not to use the power of government to force everyone to be Christian or abide by a strict Christian code.  The First Amendment clearly prohibited such action.  Rather, it was because they understood that the absolute, moral principles that come from Christian scripture – respect for life, private property rights, charity, frugality, stewardship, benevolence, peaceful living, responsible liberty – were the best friend to a free society and should be encouraged.

Has Heck looked at India lately?  Or Nepal?  If he did, he'd know that one doesn't have to be a Christian society in order to be free.  

Unfortunately, Heck's column espouses views that have become an article of faith on the religious right--a false view of history that is drilled into so many kids in Christian schools (counting homeschooling).