"Send an Atheist to his local Church!"

dissention · #1 02-01-2006, 08:55 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Send-an-Atheist-...QQcmdZViewItem

I'm a 22-year-old Atheist from Chicago. I stopped believing in God when I was 14. Currently, I am an active volunteer for a couple different national, secular organizations. For one of them, I am the editor of a newsletter that reaches over 1,000 Atheist/Agnostic college students. I have written several Letters to the Editor to newspapers in and around Chicago, espousing my Atheistic beliefs when Church/State issues arose. My point being that I don't take my non-belief lightly. However, while I don't believe in God, I firmly believe I would immediately change those views if presented with evidence to the contrary. And at 22, this is possibly the best chance anyone has of changing me.

So, here's my proposal. Everytime I come home, I pass this old Irish church. I promise to go into that church every day-- for a certain number of days-- for at least an hour each visit. For every $10 you bid, I will go to the Church for 1 day. For $50, you would have me going to mass every day for a week.

My promise: I will go willingly and with an open mind. I will not say/do anything inappropriate. I will respectfully participate in service, speak to priests, volunteer with the church if possible, do my best to learn about the religious beliefs of the church-goers, and make conversation with anyone who is willing to talk. (Though I do reserve the rights to ask the person questions about the faith.)

I will record my visits through a journal, pictures, or whatever other method of proof you'd like-- I will uphold my promise.

Will I become religious? Well, I don't know. I really do have an open mind, but no one has convinced me to change my mind so far. Then again, I have also never attended a real church service. Perhaps being around a group of people who will show me "the way" could do what no one else has done before.

If the Irish Church doesn't work for you, we'll just find some other place local to me. I'll go to any place of worship-- a Christian Church, a Catholic Church [revision: I realize a Catholic Church is a Christian Church... so let me rephrase. By Christian, I mean Protestant], a Mosque, a Synagogue, etc. They're all nearby. Makes no difference to me, but perhaps it's your faith that could change the mind of this Atheist.

I also assure you that if you bid on this, I will write an article about my experiences in the newsletter mentioned earlier. The article would reach over 1,000 college students who share my current views. Even if you don't end up changing my mind, perhaps you can change theirs.

If you have any questions about this auction, I'd be glad to answer them.

http://www.ebayatheist.blogspot.com/

markolas · #2 02-01-2006, 09:00 PM

So, what's the money for? The collection plate? Frankly, you'd have to pay me a hell of a lot more than $10...

dissention · #3 02-01-2006, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

So, what's the money for?

His pocket.

$10 isn't enough for me to fart in the general direction of a church.

sparky · #4 02-01-2006, 09:21 PM

What a great money money making racket. Of course, if Homie is looking for proof to fuel his conversion he is gonna be waiting a looong time. Since the central tenet of most religions is FAITH, he has got to believe in something which will never be proven. That's the heart of the brilliant scam.
Maybe he'll make some money. People sent money to Jim and Tammy Faye, why not this guy ?

BombaySapphire3 · #5 02-01-2006, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

What a great money money making racket. Of course, if Homie is looking for proof to fuel his conversion he is gonna be waiting a looong time. Since the central tenet of most religions is FAITH, he has got to believe in something which will never be proven. That's the heart of the brilliant scam.
Maybe he'll make some money. People sent money to Jim and Tammy Faye, why not this guy ?

Tammy Faye was great entertainment.I even considered ordering one of her records for camp value .What I don't get is people sending money to a megalomanical creep like Robertson or an obvious no neck hypocrite like Falwell.

GypsySorcerer · #6 02-01-2006, 10:41 PM

This guy will get more money than the Save Karyn chick.

And, is it completely wrong to admit I like Tammy Faye?

dissention · #7 02-01-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

And, is it completely wrong to admit I like Tammy Faye?

No, I love her. LOVE HER.

Ever since I was a kid. She's crazy as bat**** and I don't believe in her God one bit, but she's a doll. She's one of very few holy rollers who accept & love everyone for the human beings that they are, and she was the very first to publicly embrace gays who were suffering from AIDS in the early eighties. She took a lot of **** for that, but didn't care.

BombaySapphire3 · #8 02-01-2006, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

And, is it completely wrong to admit I like Tammy Faye?

Not at all Tammy Faye is great .

Her choice of husbands though has left something to be desired however.

GypsySorcerer · #9 02-01-2006, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

No, I love her. LOVE HER.

Ever since I was a kid. She's crazy as bat**** and I don't believe in her God one bit, but she's a doll. She's one of very few holy rollers who accept & love everyone for the human beings that they are, and she was the very first to publicly embrace gays who were suffering from AIDS in the early eighties. She took a lot of **** for that, but didn't care.

She is definitely a little kooky....and good lord, that makeup.

She is a sweetheart, though, and a truly compassionate individual. I hope her health is good.

CelticGypsy · #10 02-01-2006, 11:01 PM

I had friends that are into the 700 club and sent money to the Bakkers, Swaggart, ect. What gets me is they don't believe in listening to music like the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones but yet if you go to their church service, they have songs that they made up with the music from the Beatles

I guess they can believe in God yet STEAL music from talented "bad" people

I thought stealing was something you should not do

They also said they don't go to dentists or doctors either. Yeah, until their dad had a heart attack then he was rushed to the hospital. I think it is great they go to church but don't be wishy-washy with your beliefs

As for the guy willing to go to a church if people send him money......what a crook. I hope he receives nothing for being selfish. Get a job if you need money.

sparky · #11 02-02-2006, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

No, I love her. LOVE HER.

Ever since I was a kid. She's crazy as bat**** and I don't believe in her God one bit, but she's a doll. She's one of very few holy rollers who accept & love everyone for the human beings that they are, and she was the very first to publicly embrace gays who were suffering from AIDS in the early eighties. She took a lot of **** for that, but didn't care.

I think Tammy Faye is an adorable little court jester. She is a train wreck clown show and could only be produced by Amercian culture. She cracks me up.

On the other note, I hope the guy gets some money. Why not ? As if all televangelists are not self serving celebritites. It's all about the cash. Anyone who sends them money is a card carrying member of the jackball club anyway.

JazmenFlowers · #12 02-02-2006, 03:24 PM

you're right - it's a great money-making scheme

...so far, $280