While sitting at my computer surfing the web recently, I heard a knock at my door. I opened the door only to find what all Atheists wait for, Christians going door to door recruiting. I admit I was a little excited as it had been some time since this had occurred and since the last time I was better prepared.
The older couple explained that they had been missionaries for 20 years and were looking to recruit people for their bible study. I immediately told them I was an Atheist. At first they weren't sure how to respond, so I told them I had some literature for them, and asked them to wait a minute while I went to get about half a dozen Nontracts from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) that I had on hand. I smiled and handed them to the couple. (If you don't know what Nontracts are you should visit the FFRF Website and check them out: http://www.ffrf.org)
We then had a little chat about why I was an Atheist. The lady tried to explain to me that with god's love waiting for me, how could I not embrace god. I explained to her that just as soon as she gave me direct evidence of any sort of god I'd be happy to do just that. They did what most Christians I talk to do, they pointed to the trees and the flowers and explained to me how this was evidence for god. I of course explained to them this was evidence of evolution, not god.
The man then asked me "You believe in evolution?". In response I asked him if he "believed" in gravity. He looked at me rather funny. So I went on to explain how I don't "believe" in evolution. Evolution is supported by scientific evidence, just like gravity. I accept evolution as fact. The couple seemed to have a hard time understanding this concept.
The lady pressed further and asked again how I could not believe in god. I explained to her how she too was an Atheist. For some reason this seem to bother her greatly. I told her how she is an Atheist when it come to other gods, Thor, Zeus, Ra and the thousands of other gods throughout history. I told her that I just believe in one less god than she does. Again she wasn't sure how to respond. I simply told her that I dismiss her god as easily as she dismisses all the other gods. She was visibly disturbed by this statement.
One question the man asked me was how come there are so many Christians in the world as compared to Atheists. I gave him the standard explanations. It was only after he left that I thought of the best reason. Unlike the Christians, Atheists don't go door to door recruiting.
Hello. My name is Angela Christine Byers (yes, my mother actually named me “Angel of Christ”), and I am an atheist.
Copyright © 1996 - 2002 Angela C. Byers
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Angela C. Byers