Being an atheist has never been so popular—at least in the publishing business.

Last year, as the intelligent design controversies took a break in America’s public schools, bestselling books on atheism and evolution proliferated. Among them were Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, and God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens.

Most of the ink spilled by Dawkins’ poisonous pen attacks Christianity, though it’s misdirected because the motive behind this slew of anti-religion books seems to be the violence of Muslims.

Not surprisingly, these books by intellectuals are highly emotional and often shrill. Why are intelligent people so angry about Someone they don’t believe exists?