There was this article in the Huffington Post: "Where Do Atheists Belong in the Office of Religious Freedom?" Doug Thomas, the author of the article, says "no one has noted the exclusion of Secular Humanist or atheist organizations from whatever consultation that occurred."
Now, to make sure everything's out in the open so there's no risk of misunderstanding, I declare that I'm an atheist. Next, I agree and sympathize with what Thomas is saying. Having said this, let me now say that Harper has willy-nilly outsmarted athiests.
I say willy-nilly because I doubt that Harper has the intelligence to have thought this matter out in the way I've thought it out. It's common knowledge that politicians of Harper's calibre distinctly lack the nuances of language and thought that common people such as myself have so much at their command.
The key is in the words "Office of Religious Freedom." If you were to ask Harper, and if Harper had my thinking capacity, he'd point out that it's religious freedom that's the issue. "Atheists," Harper would say if he knew what atheism means, "are free from religion. So they don't need an office of religious freedom."
This is undoubtedly too esoteric for Harper. By this time he'd probably have tied himself in knots. Someone would have to explain to Harper what his own words mean. He would say: "In Canada’s view, freedom of religion or belief, including the ability to worship in peace and security, is a universal human right."
This, too, would need some explanation, and I would volunteer to explain it to Harper if he'd allow me. I would tell him that the office is for those who need, seek, demand, freedom to worship as they constantly feel threatened by the freedom of atheists from such demands on their intelligence.
This would bring a beam of comprehension to Harper's face. And he'd turn to Doug Thomas and say, "This is what I meant all along." Thomas might turn to me with a withering look. And I'd have to plead that I felt sorry for Harper having to please God and the voters at the same time.