by f_mafra

Question by Gregorius: Any thoughts on this conversation I recently had with a “friend”?
I recently had a rather odd conversation with a friend who is Cristian. I was wondering what people on here make of it. I welcome all responses from people of any faith background. This was via email, so I will reprint it. Was I being insensitive or insulting (I am the atheist)?

Sarah :
“I’m definetly of the 7%
P—–pray
U—-until
S—-something
H —-happens
I need this back…. If you’ll do this for me….. I’ll do it for you…
When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.
Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.
Father,
God bless all my friends and loved ones in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/ she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. In Jesus Name Amen.
Then send it on to five other people .Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.
P. S. Five is good, but more is better.
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!
If you are one of the 7% who will stand up for him, forward this with the title 7%.
93% of people won’t forward this.”

Me:
“I am part of the 93… Sorry Sara. I would pray for you, but I do not believe in God and I think if He does exist,He might find it rather hypocritical of me. Good to hear from you though!
If you haven’t heard, Anne and I are finally having a baby! I find out next Wednesday if it is a boy or a girl.
You can follow the exploits of our baby’s journey through my wife and my blogs,
Anne Blog [link]
Daddy Digest: Stories to My Baby[link]
Stay in touch!”

Sarah:
“es, I did hear and ConGrats…Let me know what your having??? Sorry to hear you don’t believe in the Almighty Above. I’ve been thru wayyy too many life saving almost near death experience in my life to not believe I’m still here for a purpose and someone is keeping me here. And with losing 6 pregnancies in my life, it can be Given and Taken so quickly. I’ve been Blessed with 2 of the Greatest Children I could ever ask for. They are a Gift Greg and someone other than I has a purpose for them as well. You Realize that there is more Questions than Answers in Life and sometimes the Questions are Answered through Realization and Experience. I will pray for you that you stop trying to Answer everything with Logic and just Observe through the Greatness of Living….Love, SaRaH@~~
P.S. Yes I BloGG Too ”

Me:
“Thank you for your kindness and prayer. I too hope that if there is something out there, it will make itself known in a way that reason and logic do not conflict with it. I am happy that you have faith but also happy even though I do not. Your prayer is taken as kindness and I am not insulted, so pray away. Who knows, maybe it will work.
PS. What is your Blog?”

Sarah:
“I do not Bolg on BlogSpot but rather on my myspace page…It’s been a nice Therapy for me and all the hard issues I’ve dealt with. Most people if they knew of your lack of Faith in the Lord probably would not follow your blog too much, most people can’t understand how someone could not associate God and New Life. I would keep that on the Down Low if I were you, you probably would lose readers…And I hope when you see your Baby for the 1st time you don’t just look for yourself or your wifes traits, but I hope you see the Miracle that is Life. And see the Invisable Face that sent your child here….You will Forever be changed when your child arrives that is one thing I can promise you, Stay Blessed….SaRaH@~~”

Me: (its a long one, 4 paragraphs)
Thank you for your concern, but I feel it is important to express my beliefs since Atheists are very much disliked in America and as a result many of us feel the need to stay “in the closet” about our beliefs to avoid such repercussions as losing friends, being shunned by family and potentially losing jobs or opportunities for them. That is not to mention the detriment to the political career of any politician who speaks up about not believing in God. We make up at least 6% of the US population and as many as 14% reported no religious affiliation on the most recent census – the only religious demographic to grow.

I am not trying to convert anybody or bashing anybody else’s beliefs, I just decided that it is time I stop hiding who I am and hopefully giving a better name to atheists as a group by letting the people that know me know that I am an atheist and hopefully they will see that I am still the same person they liked before and be being an atheist doesn’t make me a bad person.

For the record, these beliefs are not incidental. I searched long and hard to find faith. I have read the bible, as well as m
Amy, it is a boy! We just found out on Wednesday. Couldn’t be more excited. Now we need to decide whether to name him by the one we stumbled upon and both independently wrote down from a book and loved, or after my wife’s grandfather, who is still alive and well and able to appreciate the sentiment. I will be passing along my grandfather’s middle name to him as his middle name as it is mine. Maybe you can help me decide…

Oliver Charles

or

Casey/Cornelius Charles
Amy, it is a boy! We just found out on Wednesday. Couldn’t be more excited. Now we need to decide whether to name him by the one we stumbled upon and both independently wrote down from a book and loved, or after my wife’s grandfather, who is still alive and well and able to appreciate the sentiment. I will be passing along my grandfather’s middle name to him as his middle name as it is mine. Maybe you can help me decide…

Oliver Charles

or

Casey/Cornelius Charles

Best answer:

Answer by Josh3
I can empathize with you, Me. You have a free will and you must do what your heart tells you. It is your life, but if Sarah is right you will have a long terrible ride later.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!