Verily, verily, I say unto you: The God-fearing folk of the Okanagan are to be sorely tested.

Here comes their devil - also known as the Centre for Inquiry.

CFI has started a chapter in the Okanagan. It will begin running ads on buses in January. CFI isn't solely anti-religion, but keeps a critical eye on organized religion as a large part the organization's doctrine.

Two of my uncles in the U.S. were/are involved with the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The organization operates from an 1855-era building in Madison, Wisc. that once served as a church rectory. You have to like their sense of humour.

The foundation uses its money primarily to pay legal fees in cases supporting the separation of church and state.

When I saw Guy King's jacket at the Glenmore dog park, I wanted to meet him.

He had a slogan of sorts on the back of his jacket: "The Bible is the most read book - of fiction - in the world."

Guy tipped me off to the arrival of CFI and talked about the need for an organization devoted to "free thinking" in the Okanagan, one of the most church-going areas in Canada.

CFI is a non-profit educational organization with chapters around the world. It operates in Canada in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver - and now the Okanagan.

Its mission is to encourage inquiry into religion, bad science, witch-doctor medicine, bogus psychobabble mental health and secular ethics. It was formerly known as the Kelowna Atheists and Freethinkers until it swung over to the larger CFI network.

"CFI is dedicated to promoting and defending science, reason, and free inquiry in all aspects of human interest", says local spokesman Loren Price.

The Okanagan chapter, a non-profit charity that provides tax receipts, was formed in March.

A couple of recent events included talks by UBCO political scientist Adam Jones on genocide and human rights, the first Cafe Inquiry at the Bean Scene with UBCO sociologist Christopher Schneider and monthly drop-in sessions at Tom Colins pub.

The blurb for the pub night says: "Come out and enjoy some stimulating conversation! No cover fee, just bring yourself and a critical mind."

Price said the idea for the bus campaign started in England.

"The message was, there is no God so stop worrying and enjoy life", said Price.

"No one has thrown rocks at us but we haven't been very controversial either. The bus ads will be our first real campaign."

Good Christians wouldn't throw rocks at the buses. Snowballs with stones in them, maybe.

You can contact Price for more information at cfi.okanagan@gmail.com

We need voices that come from all directions.

Thank God . . . ah, well, just plain thanks it's a free country, even in the Okanagan bible belt.

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Consumer Reports magazine says men will spend 10 hours shopping for Christmas gifts this year. Women plan to spend 20 hours, the equivalent of almost three work days.

Shoppers expect to wait in store check-out lines for about three-and-a-half hours, on average. No, that's not a typo.

Three to four hours will, on average, be spent on wrapping gifts.

CFI might inquire into the insanity of such a waste of time, money and emotional energy.

Thank God. . . ah, well, just plain thanks for eggnog.