I just want to state for the record that Kalt does not speak for all atheists. His statement above is so obviously foolish and irrational that I’m somewhat amazed that anyone with even a modicum of intelligence would type it.
My mother has taught mentally retarded students for over 30 years. I discussed this with her, and she says that in her vast experience, mentally retarded people run the same gamut of emotion as everybody else.
She also vehemently disagrees with your statements about Down Syndrome, as she has known the general emotional state of many of her Down students to have just as much human variation as any other populace and that the parents greatly range in their acceptance of their child.
I would like to know if you have a cite for your statements.