From some readers:

Mr Goldberg –
With regards to your column on the evolution of religious bigotry, the Jesus/Darwin fish, etc…
Many times, since 9/11, I have found myself thinking of a scene from one of Woody Allen’s early movies, where Woody is dealing with a rival for a woman’s affections, who has just insulted him. “If a man said that to me, I’d break his neck…” Woody snarls. His rival glares back… “I AM a man…” To which Woody replies…”Er..well..yes…um…I meant a much SMALLER man…”.
That, for me, is a perfect image of those who are generally hostile to religion (really, to Judeo-Christian expressions of the same), in the West. If a third grader says grace in the cafeteria, we are two small steps from theocracy. If Catholics wearily express displeasure with the mass-marketing of “Golden Compass”, we are inches away from the terrifying specter of “Church” censorship of the arts. And while we must display EXQUISITE sensitivity to every other conceivable orientation, mindset, or belief system, the most outrageous hostility or mockery of Judeo-Christian culture or beliefs simply sets off a round of smug, self-congratulatory babble about “artistic bravery” and “daring” – as if such attacks run the risk of any real consequences in our society today.
However, that “courage” seems to evaporate when faced with genuine religious extremists with a VERY low tolerance for perceived slights, who don’t respond with a few weary words, but rather with worldwide riots, beheadings, mass murder – and very REAL death threats targeting those particular ‘artists’. This very smug, “brave” crowd reserves its scorn, condescension and mockery for those they KNOW pose no danger, no threat…. and tip-toe oh-so-carefully around those who genuinely embrace notions of theocracy, intolerance, and censorship, and who back them up with the sword.
Sorry – basically, a long-winded thanks for what you said so succinclty and clearly!

And:

Jonah,
Well done.
As you point out, it is amusing to read the bumper stickers on cars with the Darwin fish.
I once saw a ‘Save the Whales’ bumper sticker next to a Darwin fish. I see. Idolize the creator of a theory which considers the dying off of thousands of species over time as simply ‘natural,’ while protesting the possible extinction of a particular species. Far from bemoaning the plight of the whales, this person should be celebrating their demise as a wonderful example of how nature works, according to Darwin, whom they worship.
As an aside, I also remember a Vegan bumper sticker next to a Pro-Choice bumper sticker. I see. She will not eat the unfertilized egg of a chicken, out of respect for the species, but she will have no trouble in terminating a fertilized human egg.
I often wonder at those who claim that we are here merely owing to a cosmological accident – that dead chemicals somehow spun themselves into the incredibly complex and information based DNA (and, somehow, sparked itself into life). On what do such people base their values? What is ‘good’ or ‘bad?’ If we are nothing but a bagful of chemicals, what’s the point? Why get out of bed?
In recalling Columbine, I have to think that, as teachers continue to instruct children that they are nothing more than a cosmological accident, a mere bagful of chemicals, there will be more incidents like Columbine.
Sorry for the rambling. Regards,

And:

Jonah,
Personally, I always liked the Darwin Fish — partly because I’ve had to deal with pompous lectures from creationists who know nothing about evolutionary theory or about science in general. However, I always preferred the fish symbol with “n’ Chips” inside.
But, despite my personal history, I thought your final sentence was fantastic: “The Darwin fish ostensibly symbolizes the superiority of progressive-minded science over backward-looking faith. I think this is a false juxtaposition, but I would have a lot more respect for the folks who believe it if they aimed their brave contempt for religion at those who might behead them for it. “

And:

Mr. Goldberg,
I do not sport the Darwin fish on my bumper because I believe that Christians, or anyone else for that matter, are less evolved than I am. It is a protest against the “Intelligent design” movement and its anti science
message. It just so happens that the promoters of this foolish movement are universally fundamentalist Christians with a literal interpretation of the Bible who would love nothing more than to brainwash every child into denying the undeniable truth of Darwinian evolution. Since you don’t mention where you stand on the issue, I can only assume that you are a proponent of ID…or are you showing “courage without consequence”
As for abusing the sacred fish…you seem to have missed the fact that ours has legs. It’s a funny fish.
Lighten up, man.