ome might say that there are issues a'plenty for Atheists in America to worry about, from President Bush's faith-based initiative to the local and state battles over posting religious slogans in public school classrooms.

   But what has generated a surprising amount of comment and outrage from America's small albeit growing community of organized nonbelievers is yet another gaffe from television talk show maven Star Jones. Host of the popular cable television program The View, Jones is developing a penchant for insulting Atheists and other-Americans-of-no-religious-faith with her comments that a nonbeliever would be morally unfit to serve as President of the United States. Jones "would not vote for an atheist," she tells viewers, although she recently conceded that perhaps atheists "could baby-sit her kid -- possibly."

   Well, it's something.

   Jones now finds herself the target of Atheist critics, some of whom are calling for a boycott of the national Payless Shoes chain, which recently named her a consumer ambassador. Described as the "Diva of Stylish Shoes" on the Payless web site (http://www.payless.com), Jones is depicted as a 21st century Imelda Marcos behind a small mountain of shoe boxes.

   "Star Jones ... attorney, author, co-host of ABC's Emmy-nominated daytime talk show 'The View', and renowned shoe lover and shopping expert," boasts the site. "Now, Star has joined with Payless ShoeSource to bring you surprisingly smart news in shoes..."

   Shoes and shopping aside, though, it's Jones' caustic remarks against Atheists which have generated increasing outrage and criticism. On bulletin boards, news groups and in meetings, America's diverse community of nonbelievers wants an apology, and they're willing to demand that the chatty talk show hostess "Walk a Mile in My Shoes." Protests are scheduled in several states outside of Payless outlets, and people are being urged to contact Star Jones and her new sponsor.

   In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, pundits, clergy and politicians were quick to offer explanations and a laundry list of those responsible. USA TODAY columnist Kathleen Parker boasted, "There are no atheists in foxholes," and suggested that despite the separation of church and state, the nation had "to reweave the rituals of God and country into our institutions."

   Humorist Ben Stein described the hijacked plane attacks as a manifestation of "atheistic violence," but later had the courage to retract that rash claim.

   Bill Buckley, Fox "host" Sean Hannity and yes, Star Jones, joined the fray. On September 16, 2001 Jones professed her gratitude that President Bush was a deeply religious man, and then proclaimed that she would never, under any circumstances, vote for an Atheist. Letters and protests followed, but Jones remained undeterred.

   On January 22, Jones was at it again. She was praising her pastor from Texas ("this is the man who actually helped to bring me to God...") and commenting on how the task of being President of the United States "needs a prayer at the inauguration."

   "But everyone was mad," added Jones, "when I said on the television that I wouldn't vote for an Atheist, but it's interesting that the Oath of office of the President is with 'so help me God.' So who would the Atheists be talking to if they weren't given the Oath? I mean you gotta have someone."

   A guest on the program identified as "Joy" then state: "I think that's religious discrimination that you would say you wouldn't vote for an Atheist. What does that have to do with his (sic) job as president? That's like saying, 'I wouldn't vote for a black man.' It's the same thing."

   Star Jones responded: "Absolutely not the same thing. I think it is absolutely important for you to be led by a higher power so you feel as if you have some responsibility -- not just to man. I would never even consider it. Anybody got a problem with it, is your problem."

   Jones goes on to say that she would "absolutely" vote for a Muslim "If that person was a good person." What about a person, even a "very good person who doesn't believe in god?

   Jones: "I didn't say you weren't a good person, just you wouldn't get my vote. I mean you could be a nice person -- you could baby-sit my kids -- possibly -- but that doesn't mean you would get my vote because you got your finger on the button. I want you to feel like there are long term, everlasting ramifications..."

   It's all too much for people like Chris Lindstrom of the Atheists of Silicon Valley, who is busy helping to organize protests throughout California slated for Wednesday, April 24 at 12 noon.

   "Jones is entitled to her opinion," said Lindstrom, "but it's irresponsible to promote that over the national airwaves. She's promoting bigoted views, and encouraging prejudice against an entire group of people based on their theological opinions."

   "If someone went on TV and announced that they wouldn't vote for a Jew, woman, African American or Muslim people would be outraged. They'd say, 'No, that's not an appropriate consumer ambassador.' We're just making this same claim on behalf of Atheists."

   Lindstrom's group is joining with San Francisco Atheists and the East Bay Atheists, along with the Anti-Discrimination Support Network in demanding an apology from Jones. A "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" campaign encourages Atheists to send letters of personal experiences as a nonbeliever in America to Jones' program and Payless Shoes.

   What about those other national issues, though?

   "There are always important fights," admits Lindstrom, "but the reality is that any time when a group of people get portrayed as less than equal or deserving, any time one group is singled out for less-than-human treatment, that's a set up and leads to a bad situation. It needs to be brought to the attention of the public."

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