Spending the last week
participating in the Atheist Paper Route was well worth the time. Initially I perceived it as waging some war
on the religious factions in my home town.
After participating and starting some dialog with other atheists, I see
it now more as a way of switching up the way that information and perspectives
are shared. Currently I am only one
voice (delivery boy).
In this part of Idaho
there are more churches than any other location I have ever lived. One cannot travel more than half a mile on
any road until you see a church or two.
There are a preponderance of Christian churches attuned to the charismatic evangelical populous and a very large number of Mormon stakes.
It often feels as though I
live in the ‘Bible Belt of Idaho’ (a doubling of hellish experiences for an
atheist). There are a large number of
missionary individuals going door-to-door to share their perspective on faith
and to encourage many to join them for service at their holy place. I have most certainly turned them away in a
fashion that is appropriate and respectful.
Even the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
After posting several
fliers on the doors of these establishments in an effort to ‘door-to-door’
advertise that atheists are here and we have valid points, the responses are
typically bordering mild passivity. I
was expecting some letter to the editor with some fierce rhetoric (still
waiting). There was one church that did
respond with a ‘Good Luck’ message on their sign.
Is it a safe assessment of
the situation that if they do not attend to us that we will fade into obscurity? Maybe
there is a more xenophobic approach that they are working hard to shield their
populations from the information that is being dropped on their doorsteps?
As the ‘Easter Season’
gets into full swing many of the churches have advertising to solicit new
members to join them. I will be there to
deliver my paper and share with them that there are more options to choose
from. Remaining connected to some religion based in fear is asinine. If I can reach one person give
them the confidence to step out of the shadows it is well worth my time to
advocate for atheism.
I want to thank the
following:
For their support on Twitter!
Resources available here:
Free Atheism Paper Route
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