Janus, whose name is preserved for posterity in the month January, was Roman god of gates and new beginnings.

He was depicted as two headed, looking both forward and back.  A new era builds on the one that has just concluded.  So the depictions of Janus have both perspectives.  I thought that in this first blog of the New Year, I too would look backwards in order to go forward.  I thought that I would collate some of those comments that have so spiced up this blog.  

The contributions of the bloggers are vital to this phenomenon.  A blog is a conversation not a column.  At times when a blog goes off, the initial blogger is merely an innocent bystander powerless in the face of fired up combatants.  Of course the blogosphere, animated by the novel power to contribute and often emboldened by the veil of anonymity can be extraordinarily robust.  It is not a place for delicate little flowers or the faint of heart.  In fact I have bought many godly and godless together in their detestation of me.  Maybe that is my role – provide a common ground for atheists and believers in a shared abomination of poor little old me.  It would be a strange contribution to posterity but definitely a unique one although universal hatred has its downsides.  But there have been many supportive and lovely contributions.  I have collated some of the more adversarial comments, in the two rubrics, for your edification, enjoyment and schadenfreude.

PRO ATHEIST BUT ANTI ME
''Dick, are you sure you aren't a closet believer that just wants to be convinced, or has life been so easy you haven’t had the need to believe?''  Pete Port Melbourne
''So lets get this straight . . . the sum of your article is to PROMOTE discrimination to oppose discrimination . . . no wonder you’re a confused Jewish atheist???''  Mark W, Melbourne
''@ Dick, what liberal airy shite you write.''  Mark
''Your argument is fallacious to begin with.''  Grumpy Old Woman, Victoria
''You(r) argument is . . .  a subservient conservative status quo misogynist’s view of the state of things. Some of us have the moral judgment to make a call that that needs to change.''  Nathan, Sydney
''You can't be serious.''  Matt NSW
''What a truly ridiculous argument.''  Malcolm
''Well, thanks for nothing, Dick. Just make broad sweeping statements without any real argument to back it up. Exactly what are your reasons for making this ridiculous statement?''  Karen
And The Winner Is:
I’m feelin' kinda cross when I read that screed of motherf....ng dross by Dicky Gross. Yeah! It's fairy-floss! It's a total loss. The guy is a tosser. An embosser. His job is a rort. He hasn't really thought. He ought to do some kind of investigation. Russell Blackford on his website http://metamagician3000.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-i-think-of-dick-grosss-piece-in.html.

PRO GOD BUT ANTI ME
''Had Gross suspended his biases, he would learn that Pope Benedict did not initiate this situation.''   Theoden USA  (incidentally we lost the best of these blogs comments from Rome who accused me of just being emitted flatulence.)
''Why anyone would read this column is beyond me? But then I suppose I did. I guess I was waiting for Gross’s clever argument or a new interesting perspective. I was sadly disappointed. Gross wasting my time and money is just plain irritating to say the least.''  Derek, Perth.
''You have no faith, then leave us with Faith alone!'' SGG Australia.
''If there is one example that I could share to the rest of the world as to how atheism can turn individuals into dangerous, hate filled people, then this post by Dick Gross and the comments that followed would be it.''  Mpjeko Sydney.

CLEARLY WE ARE A PASSIONATE LOT!
The vigorous debates, exemplified by the quotations above, demonstrate the importance of deep existential issues to every human.  I have not quoted the generous and supportive blogs as conflict is much more interesting than kindness and concord.  But clearly I have offended both sides equally.  I say this to my fellow atheists, any movement that does not reflect critically on itself is doomed to fail.  Atheism needs more internal debate and I wonder why atheists are so resistant to some home truths.  I thank everyone for the rich bounty of their past contributions and look forward to future debates and debunks.  
Have a good one (year that is).  
Tell me what your view is.
The Dickster