The annual Amy Awards recognize writing that presents "in a sensitive, thought-provoking manner the Biblical position on issues affecting the world today." Entries must be published in secular, non-religious publications.

Religion has always been a priority for Tarleton.

"As long as I've been a newspaper editor, I've always thought religion was under-valued. I assigned reporters to religion beats back before a lot of newspapers started covering that. Religion means the world to an awful lot of readers, and a lot of newspapers don't recognize that interest," Tarleton said.

Although he has never been personally condescended toward due to his faith, Tarleton says religion is "not expected like it once was."

He said he was inspired to write the column after reading a column by Dan Neil in the Los Angeles Times about "the atheistic chic trend in popular culture. It tripped a switch, and I wanted to comment," Tarleton said.

Tarleton has entered the writing contest "four or five times in the past," and has encouraged some reporters at the Daily Times to enter as well. This is the first time he has won an award from the Amy Foundation, which administers the Amy Writing Awards.

Tarleton has held four titles at the Daily Times: managing editor, editor, editor and associate publisher, and opinion editor. He has also edited newspapers in Danville, Va., and Hamlet. He has received 31 awards from the N.C. Press Association, and 20 of those for his work at the Daily Times. His work has also been recognized by the National Newspaper Association's Better Newspaper Contest.