Yesterday a co-worker said to me, "See, Derek, religions are at least good for the holidays!"

To which I say: Bah.

There's no reason why we couldn't, and shouldn't replace all the religious holidays with celebrations and rememberances for milestones in human achievement or progress, instead of worshipping the superstitious idols of the past.

For example, today is Good Friday, the day recognized for the death of Jesus. But it is also the day Einstein died, and it is worth arguing who gave us more insight into the universe and ourselves.

We have many secular holidays that mark important achievements in the history of our country, such as July 4th, and I'm all for having those days off to celebrate and remind ourselves what we're all about.

But in the month of July, I'd also be for July 20th, the anniversary of the moon landing, designated as a national holiday. For that matter, October 4th, the day Sputnik was launched, should be an internationally recognized holiday.

Why shouldn't we celebrate the people and events that dramatically shifted our worldviews? How about Copernicus Day (we need an early March holiday), Socrates Day, or the publication of On the Origin of Species (November 24th)?

Wouldn't these be more worthy of recognition and celebration than say, the supposed springing to life of a dead guy?