1- Dr Buckner, thank you for allowing us this opportunity. About 23 years ago, George Bush stated that he doesn’t know if atheist should be considered as citizen. How far have the American atheists come since that?

I think there may be some dispute about whether George H.W. Bush actually said exactly that, but I do think American Atheists have made some progress since then. There's still a huge and unreasonable stigma associated with not believing in any gods, but it's not as huge as it once was.

2- Being sort of pessimistic about the coming out campaign and all of that, I fail to see the light at the end of the tunnel because surely you wouldn’t expect theist to re-adjust their “holly books” for us, would you? and if that is true, then what exactly are we aiming for?

Theists have in fact been adjusting their holy books--or at least how they interpret them--for centuries. This has happened most frequently in response to improved scientific understanding which--eventually--leads to the church(es) backing down from something they once considered sacred truth. It won't happen easily or quickly, but I'm still optimistic in the long run.

3- Following on for my previous question, I’m all into a society where everyone is entitled to their own opinion, in harmony and mutual respect, but on the other hand: respect is something to earn. How would you respect those who wish you to die in pain and to rot in hell? It doesn’t seem to me that we can co-exist together, not because of us, but because of them.

Mutual respect has to be, first, mutual. And secondly, it has to be respect for people's rights, not respect for the ideas they hold. Co-existence has proven quite difficult for humans, especially when any group thinks "god" is on its side--but I'm still optimistic.

4- As the president of the American atheists’ organization, are you, as organization, planning to collaborate with other organizations in the rest of the world? Which ones if any?

We collaborate often, especially with Atheists in other nations--most recently in Australia, Argentina, Ireland, and Nigeria--but of course we also collaborate in a more limited/specific way even with religionists: to set up public debates, for example.

5- My website targets atheists in the Middle-east and it has been said that proper education is one remedy for fundamentalism. Being a specialist in Educational Leadership, I would love to hear your view on how we could accomplish that.

Education in its broadest sense is our only hope--and getting anyone to even briefly consider their most cherished, mostly deeply ingrained, beliefs is quite hard. Debates can help if we maintain civility and good humor; how we live and behave toward all our fellow humans is even more important. The right mix of unyielding firmness about our skepticism with concern for our fellow human beings is hard to find but crucial.

6- How would you comment on the following in only one word?

I can--sometimes!--be a man of few words. But one? That's impossible. Here are the "few":

a. The bible

A dangerous set of books, full of beauty, moral wisdom, and history, but mixed with viciousness, cruelty, myth, and immorality.

b. Barack Obama

Better than his predecessors and a tribute to good upbringing (his mother would be proud). We're delighted that he's been inclusive of "nonbelievers," even as we're disappointed at his continuing the faith-based programs.

c. Che Guevara

Don't really know enough about him--even though he's of my era--to comment wisely.

d. Ray Comfort

Assuming you mean the creationist/evangelist, my respect for him is mighty small.

e. George Carlin

Funny and much missed.

7- Can tell us more about your personal life, the moment that you consider the most important of your life, and your favorite quote, book, and president?

A bit too open-ended. I'm almost 64 years old and I could talk about me and tell stories for hours. I'm especially glad that I have my wife Diane (married in 1968) and my son Michael (born in 1970) in my life.

8- I’ve never asked any atheist this question before but I can’t resist the temptation, so here it goes: If you weren’t an atheist, what belief system would you choose?

I cannot imagine accepting another. I don't think the logic and evidence, thoroughly examined, allow for any other choice. I certainly prefer, for others, religions that are as undogmatic, as tentative, as tolerant, as peaceful, as possible--Quakers, Unitarians, and Bahais over fundamentalists Christians or Muslims, for example.

Dr. Buckner, thank you again for your time.