Humanist groups raise tens of thousands for atheist tornado survivor

Humanist groups and atheists across the U.S. have banded together to help a fellow atheist who survived the massive tornado that struck Moore, Oklahoma earlier this week.

Rebecca Vitsmun was being interviewed by Wolf Blitzer of CNN on Tuesday when the "Situation Room" anchor said, "I guess, you gotta thank the Lord, right? Do you thank the Lord?"

Vitsun replied politely, "I'm actually an atheist."

She handled the situation graciously, which is more than could be said for erstwhile Fox News commentator Glenn Beck, who posited that the "forces of spiritual darkness" at CNN had planted the idea of the question in Blitzer's mind.

At the fund-raising website Indiegogo, atheists have set up a relief fund for Vitsun, who lost her house in the storm and most of her possessions.

"Let's show the world that you dont need to believe in a god to have human compassion nor does all charity fall under the banner of religion," says the site. "Let's get this courageous woman and her family back in their own home."

The site has already passed its goal of $50,000 by nearly $700 at press time, with 60 days in the fund-raiser still to go.

Watch the CNN interview, embedded below via YouTube: