For those who do not follow any faith or religion...?

Dan Dennett

Serious religious critiques. Meme theory. Generous and kind person. Scientifically trained. See his TED talks.

That would depend upon one's educational level, as well as intelligence, wouldn't it?

There are few solid bible thumping theists who would ever read anything in science....say, by Jared Diamond, Robert Wright, or Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Carl Sagan, Michael Shermer, Bart Ehrman. etc. And few of them, as well would ever watch the Discovery Channel, History Channel, or Nova. They'd as well not read Scientific American, or Nature. These folks are into pop culture, movie actors, even South Park might be too much.

Those who are less educated, or just (sorry) not very bright, find comfort in " Ol' Time Religion" and traditional Christianity of Jesus being a real guy, and when they die, they get to go to heaven.

No one in the first group believes any of this stuff in the above paragraph... these people are simply too educated, too logical, and are not religious. While the first bunch may have attempted to shield their religion from science, in the end the compartmentalization by age 25 simply couldn't work. They were just too bright and too educated.

If you truly want to learn from the best, ask God, the Father. If you have a bible, read Ezekiel, 14; 7-11. God teaches his own. Gods knowledge is of truths that truly save and don't bind like philosophies of men who interpret scripture the way they want you to understand. The words of Jesus are awesome and all you have to do is pray to the Father in the privacy of your own home, and if your heart is open to the spirit, you will know the answer to anything you may ask that concerns of spiritual things. If your interested in the world then all I can say is listen to Rush Limbaugh.

By the way you don't need any religions to find truth in God and be part of his church which is within the heart and minds of his people. For the Father inhabits only temples of flesh and not any buildings of man. You can be one on one with God if you truly wish to and love truth in all things.

Richard Dawkings seems to be a well known, published biologist. He fight againts religion and continues to publish best sellers (God - The dillusion).

But I'd say all the scientists today are making a difference, proving against religion by warping the whole world into the future.

I wouldn't call the stupid ***** philosophical particularly since she boarders on mental retardation but Oprah Winfrey is probably one of the most influential people alive unfortunately.

Dan Dennett.

That's the only atheist philosopher I know about. I think Sam Harris might be one as well.

Confucious.

Not sure he is the most but I LOVE reading Christopher Hitchens.

I like pompous Brits that know their **** :)

Opus the Penguin is the greatest for me...not sure if "living" is appropriate...but I find his wisdom insightful and funny...and who doesn't love to laugh?

The Dali Lama, hands down.

All of the rest just repeat over and over my way or burn in hell.

How helpful is that?

Love and blessings Don