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Original poster

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

68 replies

spongebrainmaternitypants · 19/06/2009 20:20

. . 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 . . . .

OP posts:
jugglingwoman · 23/06/2009 20:18

The parable of the sower is that seeds don't grow in hard ground (ie. unreceptive people). And the disciples spoke to people who were interested.

I have no problem with 'preaching' to people who want to know or who have come to a 'church event' and many people do come to faith that way.

I also know of a lot of people who won't go near faith because they think that Christians are a bunch of nutters who shout on street corners that you're going to burn in hell if you don't go to church. I don't think it makes Christianity accessible to 'normal people' it just makes people think Christians are odd.

And I say this as someone who once helped set up a weekly service in our local community centre and knocked on hundreds of doors in our area to ask if people had anything or anyone they would like us to pray for.

FAQinglovely · 23/06/2009 20:18

and talking to someone isn't forcing - people have a choice whether to listen or not. Just like the old "soapbox" I'm sure there's many people stand up on them (well i the few places that they still exist LOL) spouting all sorts and bypassers either listened and took note or ignored.

I choose whether to listen to the buskers in town, there's 2 decent ones that I stop and listen to - 1 rubbish one who I walk by and don't give a 2nd glance. They're not forcing me to actually "listen" to it.

FAQinglovely · 23/06/2009 20:21

yes the seed doesn't grow in hard ground - but it doesn't say that we shouldn't at least try to sow on the rocky ground, the path, the weeds.

GrimmaTheNome · 23/06/2009 20:28

The thinking behind it is basically, I'm right and you're wrong. Because it says so in this ancient book which I happen to believe is actually true based on no real evidence but you can't have evidence because we're justified by faith etc etc

Whether further than that was caring or being patronising or sheer arrogance its impossible to tell.

[my mum sends us books sometimes. Doubtless she means well but it is absolutely totally counterproductive. DH wants to send her AC Graylings 'Against all Gods' and I'm sorely tempted...]

FAQinglovely · 23/06/2009 20:33

"The thinking behind it is basically, I'm right and you're wrong. "

I find it real shame when it comes down to comments like that. For many points of atheism (and indeed any religion or belief point) there is no definite "right" and "wrong"

Any Christian who says "my beliefs are right and yours are wrong" is TOTALLY missing the point. For starters it's not even up to we (as people) to judge. We merely believe and share it. If the "you're wrong" starts coming into it when talking to non-Christians then they're singing from the wrong hymn sheet imo.

GrimmaTheNome · 23/06/2009 20:42

I'm not saying that most christians are like that FAQ ... but leaving books on a car because it displays a darwin fish looks is suggestive of someone who thinks they are Right with a capital R

GrimmaTheNome · 23/06/2009 20:46

Though quite a lot of christians do literally and metaphorically sing from the hymn sheet "I am The Way, The Truth and The Light, that's what Jesus said"

Original poster
spongebrainmaternitypants · 23/06/2009 20:54

FAQ, I wasn't asking him to do anything for me personally ! I don't actually need him (I don't why I'm assuming it was a man!) to do anything for me at all, least of all rescue me from a hell I don't believe in.

However, there are many many people who do need help and guidance in all sorts of ways and I think his time would be better served helping them rather than bothering me.

I'm happy. I'm an atheist. I'm generally a nice person, although not always!

I don't need rescuing (except from chocolate, but that's a lost cause ).

OP posts:
UnquietDad · 23/06/2009 22:28

It's the assumption that you "need" saving or rescuing which I'd find offensive, or at the very least irritating. The idea that you can't be perfectly content as an atheist/humanist.

BunnyLebowski · 23/06/2009 22:37

Exactly UnquietDad. It's arrogant, judgemental, intrusive and very damn rude to assume that all us "lost souls" need saving.

I have a Darwin fish on my car. MY car. I don't go round sticking them on strangers cars in an effort to change them because I "care".

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 23/06/2009 22:40

GrimmaTheNome, my Born Again sister sends me books sometimes. She sent me The Shack at Xmas. I'm currently reading (and very much enjoying) God is not Great, wonder if I should send her a copy?

UnquietDad · 23/06/2009 22:40

Don't listen to me though. They tell me I'm "rude"!

SolidGoldBrass · 23/06/2009 22:40

I'd have looked to see if there was a contact address on the back and returned it along with a couple of BHA leaflets. But then I am childish and rude.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 23/06/2009 22:40

(And I have the FSM on my car. )

UnquietDad · 23/06/2009 22:41

Oh, good grief, I had a flick through The Shack in the shop and it looks awful. Indoctri-lit of the most poisonous-saccharine order.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 23/06/2009 22:42

It's bad, UQD, it's bad.

shakes head

It's not even well-written.

smallchange · 23/06/2009 22:45

I received a religious hell-fire type tract through the post the other day. In a hand addressed envelope but with nothing to suggest who had sent it

Was a bit spooked actually.

(and I'm a church-going Christian, but not the sort of church that sends you hell-and-damnation tracts and anyway it used my maiden name which wouldn't be know to them)

UnquietDad · 24/06/2009 10:15

I always have fun when the JWs come to my door. Especially when they think they can win an actual intellectual argument about the existence of god by reading me bits of the Bible.

GrimmaTheNome · 24/06/2009 21:25

Oh my. This is quite hilarious. I actually sent my mum a copy of the Shack!

I hasten to add she specifically asked for it! I live a long way from her, she loves reading (her favourites tend to be perfectly respectable classics like MiddleMarch) but she can't get out much so I thought, well one thing I can do for her is order books from Amazon. And guess what the only thing she asked for so far? The Shack. I thought it was just some recent novel, no idea I was peddling dubious propaganda. I wonder if she thought it would come to me first and I'd be struck by - well, whatever it is about, I still don't know and I don't think I'll bother finding out. Or maybe she was having a bit of a laugh at my expense, bless her!

She sent me the Dawkins Delusion some time ago - which pre-empted DH who was planning on sending her the God Delusion but she'd already read it. So I think we're in her debt at this point ...hmmm... what would be the best choice for a literate, octagenarian daughter of the manse?

Original poster
spongebrainmaternitypants · 24/06/2009 21:39

Old Lady, I want FSM on my next car !

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 24/06/2009 22:52

I had to google to get the reference, but I want an FSM too!

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 25/06/2009 14:04

FSM car badges and more...

BunnyLebowski · 25/06/2009 14:33

Oh me and DP are devout Pastafarians

I have an FSM on me fridge and he has

this

Have just ordered one for my car!

UnquietDad · 25/06/2009 15:57

All hail His Noodly Appendages!

GrimmaTheNome · 25/06/2009 16:07

Come on UQD (and anyone else) - I seriously want a recommendation for my mum. Preferably not anything quite like the Hitchens or Dawkins style of thing, something pro-atheism/non supernaturalism rather than religion-bashing. Something thats actually a good, thought-provoking read.