How Do You Deal With Theists Dealing With You?

In response to the news coverage regarding the "Atheist Bus Ad" campaign in Great Britain and other countries, the Burbank Leader asked some of their local shamans a question: "How do you deal with atheists?" I think that their answers are a good indication of how most Americans think about us atheists, when they think about us at all.

Pastor Jon Barta of the Valley Baptist church puts up with us poor, deluded souls, but makes no bones about it - he thinks that we are a bunch of fools:

By definition “reconciliation” means “harmony” or “congruity.” So there can be no true reconciliation of atheism with theism. They are mutually exclusive concepts. Likewise, you cannot experience true fulfillment in life while you live independently from God who is the Author of life. You can pursue your own interests and passions, you can be entertained and distracted, but you cannot “stop worrying and enjoy your life” while you ignore Him. That’s just one of the many reasons the Bible affirms that only the fool says in his heart “There is no God.”

Friar Vazken Movsesian, of the "In His Shoes" Mission of the Armenian Church Youth Ministries thinks that it is "impossible" to know if the old canard "there are no atheists in foxholes" is true (news flash for you Friar - it's not true). However, he's absolutely certain that there are no atheists in birthing rooms. You know, because of his own anecdotal experience.

So, he doesn't think that atheists really exist, and he justifies this by re-defining the word "God" to mean - wait for it - "love".

Abra-cadabra! It's magic! Now there are no atheists anymore!

An Armenian orthodox understanding of God begins with the simple equation that God is love. As such, when we see manifestations of love in our lives, we find the presence of God. It is timeless, dating back to the earliest moments of history and never dying — that is, it lasts forever. It’s hard to deny love because it is present in the smile of a child, in the visitor to the cancer ward, in the rescuer at the hurricane site, and in the hand that reaches out to hug you in your times of loneliness.

Accordingly, my “argument” to the atheist is not with words, but by living the life that exemplifies that love. That is, by reaching out to others, helping the needy, visiting the sick and loving all without prejudice, I make a small, but important, case for God.

Reverend C. L. "Skip" Lindeman of the La Cañada Congregational Church, first makes an atheist joke ("...all dressed up and no place to go! Har har!"), then compliments us on how well we pick up litter on the side of the freeway. He understands why some people don't believe due to the problem of evil, but then hand-waves it away with a personal declaration of faith. He believes the bus ads are good because they spur debate.

The problem of evil and the suffering of children are hard to build into a theological scheme. And yet the claim of Judeo-Christian religion is that God loves mankind and wants a relationship with us. It’s a fantastic claim, and yet I believe it. I also must thank God for the gift of faith, and even wonder why I was chosen to have faith while others have none. As far as the bus ads are concerned, good! They inspire thought and debate — so what’s wrong with that?

Rabbi Simcha Backman of the Chabad Jewish Center doesn't seem to have much of a problem with Jewish atheists. He tells them to be good people, and considers that the most important thing. However, he has a gripe about the atheist bus ads. They are arrogant! They suggest and imply that all religious people do all day is sit around and worry about things and don't enjoy their lives. He sees the ads as intentionally offensive and "belittling the intelligence" of 3/4 of the world's population.

I find it hard to comprehend why supporters of this campaign chose to aggressively intrude on other people’s comfort zones and attempted to belittle the intelligence of three quarters of the world’s population. Does their version of God-less morality allow the gratuitous hurting of others? The money expended on this silly campaign would have been better spent on a promotion that urges all Britons — and indeed all humans — to do something positive and reach out to a fellow person.

If these ads had encouraged the public — regardless of religious belief — to act with kindness, smile at a neighbor, feed a hungry child or assist an elderly individual, they would have a far more constructive impact.

So, do you feel "dealt with" now?