My screen name is a reference to a potential progressive state of living. A sort of "progressive culture" based on the idea of a nation that actually appreciates itself, made up of people who understand that life is a gift, and that we are constantly in a holy state whether we notice or not. A sort of alternate reality, wherein we see our bodies as temples and our spirits at a sort of Altar within that temple.
In other words it's an unspoken prayer and intention for something better than what this country has become.
My avatar, on the other hand, is a random pull from searching for the word "AltarNation" on google images. Turns out it was some really awesome spirit/music festival in Australia several years back, which just happened to have already been named the same clever thing which I thought I originated. "Close enough." I said.