Someone left a Christian book on my windscreen today . . . .

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

. . and I'm really intrigued as to the thinking behind it.

I have a Darwin fish on the back of my car - looks like the Christian fish, except it has Darwin written inside it, and has feet. Obviously a statement of my disagreement with creationism vs evolution - although I would argue that you can believe in evolution but not be an atheist, but someone could tell me I'm wrong on that!

Anyway, I am an atheist and pretty convinced of my beliefs due to life experience that has shaped them - so what would be the thinking behind the book?

Did the person who put it there really think I would read it and be converted? I'm not esp upset by it, although I would never dream of leaving a copy of The God Delusion under every wiper of a car I saw with the fish on the back , so not sure why they felt the need to do it!

It was book called Exploding Atheist Myths - I have looked through it, and of course, as an atheist, refute what it says!

Just intrigued . . . .

[LaurieFairyCake]

They are probably idiots a bit pious who felt the need to do it.

Most Christians believe in evolution though. If I was being contrary and driving through parts of America I would have a Darwin fish and a Christian fish

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

That's what I thought Laurie - I find the assumption that, as an evolutionist I'm automatically an atheist intriguing.

I am an atheist but I don't have anything on my car saying that!

Btw, having seen the Top Gear episode when they drove through the bible belt with inflammatory slogans on their cars, I wouldn't advise driving anywhere over there with the Darwin fish!

[TheFallenMadonna]

I have a religious faith, but am a biology teacher and am no creationist. I do think some creationist types are out to 'convert'. Years and years ago, just after I left school, I had a discussion along these lines with a guy I met at summer school, and he paid for a subscription for me to the Creation Science Movement for three years - without asking me whether I would like it. It was not a good investment for him...

[donnymouse]

What a laugh....some creationist types...what true christians who actually believe the Bible and don't make up a God for themselves that fits in and agrees with all thier ideas of what is true or not.

Either the God of the Bible is God and his word is true or you are you own god.

Time to decide people, the judgement of God is coming upon this world, and all your reasoning and intelligence will not save you then.

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

donnymouse, are you being serious?

God didn't actually write the bible though did he?

I'm not my own god, just my own person.

Works for me!

[TheFallenMadonna]

Absolutely donnymouse. Those are the only two possibilities

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

@ FM!

[BunnyLebowski]

I just found some fire and brimstone on the floor on me way in. Must be donnymouses.

[UnquietDad]

spongebrain - what kinds of "atheist myths" does it purport to "explode"? I could do with a laugh...

[BunnyLebowski]

Yeah go on, I'm curious too!

[babybillandsplodge]

The book is called The Dawkins Letters and is by David Robertson. It has 10 chapters, each entitled The Myth of . . .

1. higher consciousness
2. godless beauty
3. atheist rationality and tolerance
4. the cruel old testament god
5. science/religion conflict
6. the created god and the uncreated universe
7. inherent religion of evil
8. godless morality (you'll be surprised to learn they cite Hitler as an example here - yawn )
9. the immoral bible

10. religious child abuse

Not sure that helps unless you read the whole book!

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

Oops that was confusing! Forgot to change back to my old name!

[DutchOma]

The thing is, the person who left that book on your windscreen thought that you would go to hell if you weren't a Christian. He or she cared about you enough to leave that book, to give you a chance to change your mind about God.
I am not sure about you going to hell, I think it is for God to decide who goes there and who doesn't, not for me.
And I don't care enough about people to go round and tell them that if they don't accept Jesus as their Saviour they will go to hell.
Now, you can scoff all you like, but just remember that that book was left there because somebody CARED.

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

Where have I scoffed Dutch? I'm not scoffing - I said I was intrigued.

Tbh, I don't entirely buy the idea that they cared I'm afraid - I think there are far better ways of showing you're a caring person, and this is one of the things that I really struggle with about religion. When people go to church or preach to others about doing good things etc, but never actually do anything remotely good in their day to day lives that shows they practise what they preach. And believe me, I've met plenty of people like this .

[DutchOma]

I'm sorry that you have met Christians like that. Personally I have never met anybody, Christian or not, who has never ever lifted a finger to help others.
I have mt plenty of Christians who have gon out of their way to help others.
Christians have not got a monopoly on good deeds

[FAQinglovely]

well if they didn't care presumably they wouldn't have left the book.......

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

I think you're slightly twisting what I said!

They probably have lifted a finger to do something but, for example, the girl that bullied my sister for five years at school used to trot off to church every Sunday morning!

So the balance of good and bad deeds is way out of kilter.

Not sure where I said Christians had a monopoly on good deeds either?

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

Hmm, really, FAQ? I don't know - did they personally care about me or were they just trying to make a point?

I don't know - they didn't leave any identification for me to contact them and ask.

[FAQinglovely]

did she trot off to church on her own - or was she sent? Did she actually claim to be a Christian - you know not everyone that steps through the door of a church every week is actually a Christian.

[FAQinglovely]

so you have to care for one particular person (and be specific) to care do you?

There's lots of people I care about.......but actually I don't know any of them, and probably never will.

[Smithagain]

I guess by displaying a Darwin fish, you are making a statement of sorts.

And someone with opposing views just made a statement right back at you.

I agree with DutchOma. They did it because, at some level, they cared that you are (in their view) misguided and wanted to challenge your views. You have broadcast your views (via the fish) and they wanted to broadcast theirs.

Not my style, personally. But on the other hand, putting symbols on my car to tell everyone what I think is not my style either.

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

Yes, she claimed to be a Christian. You're right, of course not everyone who goes to church is a 'practising' Christian but that is my point - it's the 'practising what you preach' idea isn't it?

I just think there are better ways of showing you care than leaving a book anonymously on someone's windscreen.

Just my opinion.

[jugglingwoman]

I think sometimes they get a discount or bonus for the amount of books they give out. I'm a church going Christian and I personally, think it ruins the 'image' of Christianity when people try to force their beliefs on others. Our old Vicar used to walk up to Evangelists who were preaching on the High Street, give them his business card and tell them to call him when they found the bit in the Bible about preaching to people who didn't want to hear it.

I'm a firm believer in being a nice Christian person (although also believe there are many nice people that it's a shame they aren't Christian) and people will ask you if they're open. I've had friends become Christian that way. But I don't force anything, it just makes you look stupid. Books like that make you also look delusioned. How is child abuse in the church a myth?! It'd make me think Christians are nuts and I am one....

[FAQinglovely]

"I just think there are better ways of showing you care than leaving a book anonymously on someone's windscreen."

what did you want them to do - leave £10 to pay for the parking . Bit difficult to personally do something for someone if you can't actually see them

[FAQinglovely]

"give them his business card and tell them to call him when they found the bit in the Bible about preaching to people who didn't want to hear it."

ermm that would be the parable of the sower perhaps??

or perhaps when the Holy Spirit first came upon the disciples - when they went out and spoke to everyone in every language.