I've always suspected that there must be many, many, intelligent clerics who have come to realise, after serious scrutiny, that there is no supernatural being. Just imagine the Pope saying; "look, we never believed the nonsense we've been selling to the masses. But It stopped them thinking for themselves and is a powerful job with great perks." If they all were to "come out" their actions would be hugely influential, and may just save us from the religious zealots who are intent on dragging us back to the bronze age.

I imagine some keep preaching because the message is good sometimes, love thy neighbor and all that. Its just when people stop doing that, and start taking the hateful parts of the bible as fact that we get people that cant keep contributing to that thought process.

Nice mischaracterization at the end. The Clergy Project is about helping these atheist ministers find a support network and training so they can make a living outside of the church, not "take more with them."

However, it's good to see that the project is getting coverage in the first place.