I have walked into god three times in the past 10 days. I live in Metro Atlanta and I walk a lot around my community. I’m happy to be alive, to be able to walk half a dozen miles or so and friendly enough to greet others. Consequently, the proselytizers are comfortable approaching me.
The other week it was a couple of Mormons working my neighborhood. Then there is the guy I regularly see who walks with a bible verse or two on a 3 x 5 card who “Studies and thinks” as he walks and insists on telling me about it. This morning, outside a gas station, I was approached by a guy who asked me,
“Excuse me sir, do you think there is practical advice in the bible relevant to today?” (He was a Jehovah’s Witness with a copy of The Watchtower in his hand.)
“I’m sorry, you’ve got the wrong guy. I’m an atheist,” I replied.
With all of them, I stay calm, listen and make my case. I lead the discussion to the warrior god Yahweh, talk about his wife, the godess Ashera, his buddy Baal and how they were all equal and subservient to the great god El, as in Israel. I ask them how Yahweh, who was just a subservient warrior god, just one of a number of gods in a pantheon could also be the “one god who created the heavens and the earth.”
When we part, I challenge them to go home and research the historical, as opposed to the biblical, origin of Yahweh and consider that in relation to their own faith.
If they consider me fertile ground for recruitment, I shall broadcast seeds of doubt into their minds.
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When I was in my twenties I would say things like : "Go jump in a lake of fire, Christian dog!"
At 58, I am much more like you, Alembe!
@Alembe ......
I often think we don't make enough use of the "origins" ..... El , Ashera , Queen of Heaven , the Lady of the Trees..... and her servant the serpent ..... they answer so many questions.... resolve so much of the imagery .
I have visited Atlanta several times, for work or vacation. That aquarium and zoo, world class! It is a cool city, but I am surprised how theistic and conservative it is compared to most other large cities in the US. I guess much of that has to do with the fact it is one of the few major cities in the "bible belt."
God is omnipresent. I walk into him every day. He is also invisible and non-corporal, so I never notice him and he never notices me.
God is omnipresent. I walk into him every day. He is also invisible and non-corporal, so I never notice him and he never notices me.
When the Mormons come on the university campus I begin asking them about Golob, secret handshakes, Baptism of the dead, and magic panties. Things they do not generally tell the students when they are trying to convert them.