Excessive "respect" for the counter-factual spiritual beliefs of others and contempt for those who hold no spiritual beliefs, AKA atheists, is rampant in our society. Non-denominational liberal arts colleges, with their spirit of open inquiry, have generally been safe havens for free thinkers of all stripes, including atheists. But some would say atheists are under attack even there, as in the case of an atheist student in Portland, OR who was recently expelled from the Art Institute of Portland. He claims it was because of his beliefs, the administration says it was more the manner in which he stated them. The Portland Mercury has the whole story.