Angry Atheists and Anti-Theists

[Alan V]

It's the Internet.  How many people do you expect to be an authority on anything?  

My comment was more directed towards people who unjustifiably claim authority when they have none.

I am constantly surprised that so many people posting on the internet have such wide-ranging interests these days, and can support their positions with any number of references to books and websites.  It seems to me a rather substantial segment of the general population is continuing their education on their own, and that internet discussions are yet another means by which they widen their horizons.

Authority is not something you either have or you don't. Everyone knows certain things to certain degrees. That's what makes these discussions so interesting.