Answer: You could hardly call it friendly persuasion.

The 12-02/03, 2005 issue of the Daily Dunklin Democrat had an Associated Press story where the Americans United for Separation of Church and State has informed Florida Gov. Jeb Bush that he has offended the Constitution by choosing "Lion" for his state's annual student reading campaign because it's "filled with allusions to Christianity."

"Lion" comes from the pen of C. L. Lewis, an author who found Christianity comparatively late in life.

Right below was another AP story stating that a federal judge has barred the Indiana House from opening its sessions with specifically Christian prayers.

The two stories are just a continuation of hostile -- almost militant -- attacks on Christianity, so manifest that even people who are not particularly religious are asking: Why?

Criticism of religion based on the separation of church and state would seem impotent since this has been an on-going issue for over two hundred years, with the church no closer to state control than it has ever been - maybe even less than in the beginning of our nation. This appears to be a smoke screen to disguise an apathy for religion in general.

Those so adamantly against Christian ceremony postulate that they are being forced to do something. This argument seems weak in light of the fact anyone in this country can feel free to completely ignore Christian symbols if they so choose. This also applies to prayer. No one will ever be forced to pray. Other religious groups flourish in this country, and their prayer will not be subject to harassment.

The strangest and most virulent of Christian critics are the atheists. Believing in nothing, they seem to be incensed that all others don't join them in nothingness. There are no attacks on atheism; nor does anyone care what an atheist thinks or does, as long as it is within the bounds of law.

It seems strange that an atheist wouldn't choose to ignore, and be ignored. Instead they become daily more belligerent, imposing, and totally incapable of leaving well enough alone.

History has proven that Christians fare well in martyrdom. Constant attacks on the religion may increase the fold, rather than reduce it.

Question: What is the "Kato Conjecture?"

Answer: Heaven knows. And a professor at Missouri University.

Some genius at Missouri University has solved a forty year old math problem.

It took him three years to do it, but MU Mathematics Professor, Steve Hofmann, has finally solved the "Kato Conjecture," a mathematical brain twister that has confounded mathematicians for forty years.

Boy! It's a relief to get that Kato Conjecture thing out of the way. Maybe we can all get some sleep now.

Those of us not blessed with mathematical brilliance like simple brain twisters.

See if it takes you three years to solve these:

1. If you have two coins that add up to 55¢ and one of them isn't a nickel, what are the two coins?

2. You have a water faucet, a 5 gallon can and a 3 gallon can, and no other means of measurement. How do you get exactly 4 gallons of water in the 5 gallon can?

3. You have a row boat and a river to cross. You also have with you a fox, a goose, and a bag of grain. The boat is so small you can only take one of them with you at a time. If you take the grain first, the fox will eat the goose while you are gone. If you take the fox first, the goose will eat the grain. Etc., etc. How do you get all three across the river safely?

Call Professor Hofmann if you have trouble.

The Answer Man will appear on occasion in the Daily Dunklin Democrat, and will provide answers to various and sundry questions about local people, etc. Readers are invited to submit their queries to The Answer Man by e-mailing them to bhunt@dddnews.com.