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![]() The American Atheists' president acknowledges that the pair of new billboards will likely cause a stir.
March 1st, 2012
05:00 AM ET
Atheist group targets Muslims, Jews with ‘myth’ billboards in Arabic and HebrewBy Dan Merica, CNN (CNN) – The billboard wars between atheists and believers have raged for years now, especially around New York City, and a national atheist group is poised to take the battle a step further with billboards in Muslim and Jewish enclaves bearing messages in Arabic and Hebrew. American Atheists, a national organization, will unveil the billboards Monday on Broadway in heavily Muslim Paterson, New Jersey and in a heavily Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood, immediately after the Williamsburg Bridge. “You know it’s a myth … and you have a choice,” the billboards say. The Patterson version is in English and Arabic, and the Brooklyn one in English and Hebrew. To the right of the text on the Arabic sign is the word for God, Allah. To the right of the text on the Hebrew sign is the word for God, Yahweh. Dave Silverman, the president of American Atheists, said the signs are intended to reach atheists in the Muslim and Jewish enclaves who may feel isolated because they are surrounded by believers. “Those communities are designed to keep atheists in the ranks,” he says. “If there are atheists in those communities, we are reaching out to them. We are letting them know that we see them, we acknowledge them and they don't have to live that way if they don’t want to.” CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories Silverman says the signs advertise the American Atheists’ upcoming convention and an atheist rally, called the Reason Rally, in Washington next month. Atheists have long pointed to surveys that suggest atheists and agnostics make up between 3% and 4% of the U.S. population. That number increases when Americans unaffiliated with any religion are included. The Pew Center’s U.S. Religious Landscape Survey found that 16% are unaffiliated, though only a fraction of those are avowed atheists and agnostics. Silverman acknowledges that the pair of new billboards will likely cause a stir. “People are going to be upset,” he says. “That is not our concern.” “We are not trying to inflame anything,” he continued. “We are trying to advertise our existence to atheist in those communities. The objective is not to inflame but rather to advertise the atheist movement in the Muslim and Jewish community.” The billboards will be up for one month and cost American Atheists, based in New Jersey, less than $15,000 each, according to Silverman. Mohamed Elfilali, executive director of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, laughed when he learned the Arabic billboard would go up in the same town as his office. He says he’s surprised that someone is spending money on such a sign. “It is not the first and won’t be the last time people have said things about God or religion,” Elfilali says. “I respect people’s opinion about God; obviously they are entitled to it. I don’t think God is a myth, but that doesn’t exclude people to have a different opinion.” But Elfilali bemoaned the billboards as another example of a hyper-polarized world. “Sadly, there is a need to polarize society as opposed to build bridges,” he says. “That is the century that we live in. It is very polarized, very politicized.” The Brooklyn billboard is likely to raise eyebrows among Jews, in part because Orthodox Jews don't write out the name of God, as the billboard does. “It is an emotional word, there will be an emotional response," said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, dean of Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future. "People will look at it in a bizarre way. People won’t understand why someone needed to write that out.” To get around the prohibition, Jews usually use only one Hebrew letter in place of the word. In the Torah scroll, though, the word is found and it is pronounced Adonai, which means “my master.” Rabbi Serge Lippe of the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue was more dismissive than outraged about the billboards. “The great thing about America is we are marketplace for ideas,” he says. “People put up awful, inappropriate billboards expressing their ideas and that is embraced.” But Lippe acknowledged that there are a lot of agnostic and atheist Jews. A recent Gallup survey found 53% of Jews identified as nonreligious. Among American Jews, 17% identified as very religious and 30% identified as moderately religious. “When you have two Jews in the room, you have three opinions,” joked Lippe. American Atheists have used the word “myth” to describe religion and God on billboards before. Last November, the organization went up with a billboard immediately before the New Jersey entrance to the Lincoln tunnel that showed the three wise men heading to Bethlehem and stated “You KNOW it’s a Myth. This Season, Celebrate Reason.” At the time, the American Atheists said the billboard was to encourage Atheists to come out of the closet with their beliefs and to dispel the myth that Christianity owns the solstice season. The Christmas billboard led to a “counter punch” by the Catholic League, a New York-based Catholic advocacy group. The Catholic League put up a competing billboard that said, “You Know It's Real: This Season Celebrate Jesus." Silverman says his group’s billboard campaigns will continue long into the future. “There will be more billboards,” Silverman says. “We are not going to be limiting to Muslims and Jews, we are going to be putting up multiple billboards in multiple communities in order to get atheists to come out of the closet.” |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team. |
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Im an atheist and I think this is ridiculous. So many atheists get upset over the intrusivness of religon then go into religous communities to insult their views and promot their POV and beliefs. Lead by example ppl. There is nothing wrong with believing in god and there is nothing wrong with not believing in god. Its articles like this that make me not want to associate with other atheists.
So you feel that other atheists should remain closeted and too scared/initimidated to express what they really believe? Are you also against, say, the "It gets better" campaign targeted towards gay teens?
Weeeellll, Atheists didn't start a 100 year war or an inquisition or bomb abortion clinics or the twin towers.
Religion IS dangerous!
@DarkBronzePlant - a true atheist realizes that declaring what s/he believes is pointless. Why should an atheist - who believes there is nothing outside of our temporary existence - care to be an evangelist? Because when we return to the dirt, it doesn't matter what we believed. Our thoughts are meaningless, and we ourselves are meaningless and valueless. (and I'll state that I am not an atheist because it's an impossible viewpoint to support)
DBP – No I think everyone is allowed to believe what they want to believe but there is a difference in speaking your mind and insulting others. This billboard is basically telling religous ppl they are wrong and should give this up. Its insulting and I wouldnt appreciate the Catholic church putting up a billboard saying, "You're goign to hell and you know it. Convert now, the church is here for you.". I dont really care of the gay teens billboard. No gayfriend I have needed a "it gets better" sign to make them feel better.
@Troy in Austin - more people were killed in the 20th century by atheistically-driven ideology than by all religious-driven killings in all of history. Religion isn't the cause of atrocities - the evil in every human heart is.
Troy – you cant be serious. First of all, its ignorant to think that religon is the sole cause of violence in humans. We are violant by nature and most acts of violence are not done in the name of religon. Religon is just an excuse. If we didnt have religon it would be something else. Grow up.
Religious zealots amuse me with the following reasoning: 'isn't it better to believe and be wrong than not believe and be wrong' My answer is 'possibly, but wouldn't your god disprove of your faith based on hedging?' Are you suppposed to trully believe and not simply believe because you are hedging your risk?
I am a conservative man of science. I have never seen any evidence of a god, but I am open to listen to real evidence. Recent experiments have reveiled particles faster than the speed of light. If this is true then Einstein's theory of relatively will be disproved. Science works in this manner. No matter how certain we are of something it can be disproved with one piece of evidence. Religion works the other way. It uses examples that fit the needs, but ignore those that don't fit in their mold. Their logic is extremely flawed.
They use logic like the following:
Apples are red
Apples are fruit
Therefor all things red are fruit.
In a science related note. you mention that particles can move faster than the speed of light, but it was an admitted computer error that made these scientists think this.
Great posting! You are a sensible person, a long life to you!
I didn't state that particles CAN move faster than the speed of light, only that neutrinos in experiments conducted in 2011 travelled faster than they were predicted. The tests were repeated and the same readings were observed. All involved have noted that something in the test must be flawed, but as of yet the flaw has not been detected. I'm not saying that Einestin's theory has been disproved, but like all science we understand that constants can be disproved. We don't support with blind faith.
actually, the particles moving faster than light thing was because of bug at CERN. article somewhere....
Why do atheists and agnostics care what other people think? Do they want them to convert and then start donating to them?
As an atheist myself I dont understand why others care. They spend a lot of time trying to convice ppl religon is bogus and there is no god but isnt that the exact same thing they claim to hate about organized religon just the reverse? Im clear on my beliefs and comfortable with them and dont need anyone to follow or agree.
See? God is love. These atheists must deep down somewhere inside know love because God created them...they love enough to love on their own...the other atheists. So you see? There truly is God. I'm so glad that you care and love. It shows God's handiwork through you.
Atheist = Government Religion.
You = Idiot
Yo, donk, atheism isn't "government religion". GOVERNMENT is the one that continues to tout "One Nation Under God" and "In God We Trust". Gawd, you're dumb.
It is funny how the most religious countries in the world with the worst social problems have the highest percentage of religiosity, but more secular nations are prospering. This trend is the same within the borders of the United States, the more secular states have lower unemployment, better education programs, healthier people, and safer cities, but than you have all the states in the bible belt sitting on the bottom of the list together in almost every category except religion. So accept the fact that religious people ruin otherwise productive societies.
@Mel: I, too, have noticed this very same thing. Also, have you noticed that the most vile and rotten criminals often have religious backgrounds?
I just wonder how many christians, muslims, atheists, etc. see a billboard and say to themselve "wow, imagine that! i've been wrong all along".
Yep..because the atheists know how many they have lost due to religious billboards telling them that they have been wrong. Lol.
If they do I hope the next sign isn't "Casino this exit".
If you'll notice, these billboards are for those who already know their religion is a myth.
No they say
" I am NOT alone"
Its like a tapping on a cell wall. Just a sign someone lives beyond the four walls of the prison you are in.
Absurd!
"You know its a myth"
I am Muslim and I know its not a myth.
I like to think of you that way, William. Alone in your cell. Tapping on the wall.
This is hilarious. I'm sure many people will respond to their billboards. Should have spent their money elsewhere.
Do they have an emergency prayer ... er hotline for people to call when they have a crisis of unbelief?
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." Proverbs 14:1
Based on the horrific actions of your god, I take that as a compliment.
The Bible in and of itself is a contradiction...read me the one about how a slaughtered goats blood odor is pleasing to god, or the one about how the guy who works on sunday should be put to death by the stone. Those were good too...THINK FOR YOURSELF...PLEASE, do humanity a favor.
I could type up a paper, label it something cool sounding – The Book of Strelka – and write lots of crazy things in it.
It doesn't mean any of those things are true.
I would contend that the fool is the one who is handed a plate of food he sees not. He smells it not and tastes it not.
But still he says, "How delicious," and goes on saying it until he dies of starvation.
Proverbs is only for fools who believe the bible.
@Troy: Obviously the Founders of the USA believed the Bible since our foundational laws are based on the moral teachings contained there about stealing, murder, fraud, etc. They did not pull these ideas out of thin air. A lot of our system is modeled after bibilcal concepts. They obviously held these truths to be self evident: we are endowed with certain unalienable rights by our Creator.
@WrshipWarior, No you silly man. They ALL said and practiced their religion otherwise be shunned from society of the day.
Thomas Jefferson was a Deiotist, and most of Christians are hypocrites just like our founding fathers were.
None would EVER come out the closet they could be burned at the stake!
You should of put a burning Quran in the ad. That'd catch some international attention.
The evangelical atheists are just as obnoxious as the evangelical Christians, Jews, and Moslems. Just as self righteous, just as smug, just as hostile, just as intolerant and bigoted. Live and let live, for God's sake.
We'd love to, unfortunately the religion corporation is trying everything in its power to prevent us from doing so.
Live and Let Die.
Now that Jeebus is losing you want to play fair?
You WILL be held accoutntable.
How are you being prevented from living your life?
Zealots are all the same no matter the cause
@william
I'm just wondering how "we will be held accountable"?
You can't put evangelical and atheist next to each other...it just doesn't work, it's an oxymoron....moron.
James
We will start another war against the Muslims, and send the bright flowers of evangelisim to die fighting them.
It's a win win!
I mean you really don't think we are in Afghanistan because we care about the towel heads?
As I mentioned ....... Atheists didn't start a 100 year war or an inquisition or bomb abortion clinics or the twin towers.
Religion IS dangerous!
Pssst, Joe: I'm here to prove that, once again, you're wrong. Your very statement is contradicted by the fact that you are afraid of doing any kind of RESEARCH and education for yourself...such as researching what the word "evangelical" means. There is NO such thing as "evangelical atheist". Don't believe me? I have PROOF...from the DICTIONARY:
e·van·gel·i·cal/ˌēvanˈjelikəl/
Adjective:
Of or according to the teaching of the gospel or the Christian religion.
Noun:
A member of the evangelical tradition in the Christian Church.
Crack open a book based on VERIFIABLE FACTS for once. You might learn something.
Wow, well I guess their are not going after just Christians anymore...
We dislike all bullsh1t equally
"...their are..."? Miss grade school much?
This article just made my day...awesome. Good job American Atheists, fight the good fight.
The funny thing is that if God doesn't exist and we're all just atheistically evolved lumps of organic matter.......then how do you define 'good'? If there is nothing after death, then it doesn't matter how you lived your life on earth. Pol Pot or Mother Theresa, both end up in the same place, and both are meaningless. What is 'good'? And what does the atheist have that's worth fighting for? Nothing. If atheists lived true to their beliefs, they would just sit on the couch and say, "gee, those people are strange," and it wouldn't bother them one tiny bit what anyone else thought or said. But trying to change someone's mind is a ridiculous thing for a true atheist to do. If there is nothing after death, then it doesn't matter one iota what you believe here on earth. There is no 'good' to fight for, and no truth to fight for.
@Dean,
AS an atheist, I can tell you you're wrong. Very wrong. I value my loved ones, my close friends, my child, the effect that I have on the lives of those around me, and the potential effect I can have on teh lives of those who come after me. I believe that everything we have, everything we are, and everything we will be comes not from any supernatural force, but form the efforts of humans, and the efforts and struggles of people. My life may not have meaning, but if I try very hard, and do very well, it could have quite a lot of meaning, real meaning, that will be felt here in the real world, not in a possible reward in a realm that can't be proven to be anything other than imaginary.
I cannot undertsand what believers say the feel in Church, I think they're full of it; but I don't question why they still go. Clearly you cannot understand the way someone who believes in the here and now, who has no faith or considerations of the afterlife, feels about this life. To each their own; but don't discuount the lives and motivations of others if you do not and cannot understand them.
but don't discount the lives and motivations of others if you do not and cannot understand them.
BRC I believe with all my heart there is God, I dont go to Church, practice what you preach and everyone will get along!!!
One day every tongue will confess you are God; one day EVERY knee will bow!
If I get a chance to boww before your God I will disembowel him.
AMEN !!!!!!!!!! All atheists WILL be bowing down...and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord of all creation!!!!
What if I choose not to? Will "God" make me? Doesn't that violate free will?
@BRC: Yes, absolutely. You are free to CHOOSE LIFE ETERNAL... or not!
@WrshpWarior,
Okay, so NOT every knee will bow? Just to be clear. I've never known, is that in the babible or is that something that a religion made up later?
@BRC: Regardless of choice, everyone will bow someday to the Lord of all Creation. [Phillipians 2:10]
Then free will, considered by the Bible the greatest gift of "God" and the thing that set humans above all His other creations does not exist. Correct? I can promise you, I will NEVER choose to bow to the "God" of the Bible. Ever. So for me to bow, my will was removed.
Yeah,Yeah ... heard it all before, once while my father was beating the s**t out of me, but thats religion for you!
Fear, intimidation, threats, if they don't work just kill them. Remember 9/11?
EVERY knee means your knee too. And your tongue.
Funny, mymaria, that's EXACTLY what the Catholic (yes, a form of Christianity) priests said to their alter boys!
William you will wet yourself and you know it!!!
"everyone will bow someday to the Lord of all Creation"
This sounds more like something that your mega-maniacal "Satan" character would demand.
@3N1Amen
FIne, then you address the free will issue. I believe the "God" of teh Bible is a tyrant, and I will not bow to a tyrant. If I bow, it would be against my will, so do I or do I not have free will?
Better to stay silent and be thought a fool, than to put up a billboard and remove all doubt.
Now, if we could just get the Knights of Columbus to take down that silly billboard!
Agreed. The church should stop.
Karen, your God is like American Idol.
The show sucks, the whole thing is a fraud, and in a few years no one will be willing to admit that they ever even watched it.
It's like Jesus was Davey Jones. The day will come when its time to take down the Jeebus poster over your bed, and go give yourself to a real man.
Demuth- your faith seems to be great.
Pow!! right to the Kisser!
thumbs up Karen!!
Uncouth Swain
Faith? What need do I have of faith. Reality is sufficient.
But, we see so many foolish churches. What is their problem? Can't think for themselves?
"The show sucks, the whole thing is a fraud, and in a few years no one will be willing to admit that they ever even watched it. It's like Jesus was Davey Jones. The day will come when its time to take down the Jeebus poster over your bed, and go give yourself to a real man."
Sounds like you have some sort of faith..faith that the religion of Christianity will fall some day.
William your reality is not my reality, the belief in Christ has survived over 2000 years and it will survive your angry fist being shook at the sky as well.
I have three things to say about this.
1) JESUS IS GOD
2) I believe He died for my sins on the cross, He is the ONLY way to get to Heaven!
3) Atheists; you have a BIG surprise coming rather you believe it or not!
ooohhh Is it a twinkie?!?
Thats fine, just don't tell me about it
Did no one go to heaven before Jesus was born??
You're spouting off what's been crammed down your throat your whole life. So "god" created fallible humans, then had to send his son down to earth to save you...from acting human??
I choose not.
What is the surprise?
I thought, technically, Jesus was the son of God. But hey if you say so I'll believe. I really don't like to think for myself anyway.
But, your mythology states that god knows everything. So, even one billion years ago your god knew I would not believe in him. What can I do now? He already knew what I would do and what I will do.
Funny...those three things are just what the Catholic priests (yes, a form of Christianity) told their alter boys when they were having doubts about their beliefs.
No, Jesus was a MAN, he just said he was God. He was either mental or delusional, we would put him in a padded room today. There is no afterlife as you have read about it. No 72 virgins, no perfect happiness nothing but worm food.
BTW there is no Santa, sorry to bust that bubble too.
Awww MAN! I was JUST getting ready to send my gift wish list to the North Pole. Does this mean the Easter Bunny doesn't exist, too? (By the way, how the HELL did bunnies and colored eggs and chocolate ever get mixed up with Jesus and crucifixion/resurrection, anyway???)
Yall need to find a new tag line this thinking for ones self just dont work, To Chose to accept Christ as your Savior is a very personnel choice, It has to come from you and you alone, A silent request for Christ to save your soul, No one made that decision for me. It was all mine. You have made the same individual choice not to believe, so please drop the line that a believer cant think for himself....its just a lie. We know it and you know it.
Greg – let me guess, you choose with your heart? That piece of dense muscle fibers that pumps blood helped you think?
Atheists are as much as threat to this nation as are religious extremists .... no extremism please, just live your life to the best of your abilities and don't impose on the other.
How are Atheists a threat, specifically?
No. Atheists are what stands between you and legislated religion. At a time when the faiths are colliding in every culture, we need secular laws strengthened to protect everyone. The religious right (of all religions) see it as a race to gain the most political power sotheir brand of "good" is the only one reflected in law. The secularist sees it as protecting the equality of allpeople, no matter their religion.
how are atheists a threat? because you don't believe the same thing they are a threat? I've never heard of an atheist attacking someone due to their believes. please, enlighten me.
A "threat"? How, exactly?
I know there has been a lot of folks killed over religion and Atheists like to point this out, But you know Communism is a govt run by Atheists, Basically an Atheists form of Govt, and in 70 years Communist Russia has been estimated at killing over 140 million of its own people......There's what some real critical thinking can do for you!!
Oh PLEASE! Religion is forced down everyone's throat constantly! Tell what you said to Baptists or Mormons!
Religious moderation provides the shade under which Extremism is allowed to flourish.
@ Greg –
For starters, 140Million is a gross overestimate. The highest reasonable one is somewhere around 50. Second, communism, atheism, and genocide all occurred in soviet russia, but one didn't cause the others. Communism does not dictate atheism, and neither does atheism dictate communism. Atheism was imposed on the USSR because they were a totalitarian gov. that wanted the people not to put anything above the gov. Genocide also occurred for the same reason. They weren't killed for religious reasons at all.
@hello:
SCIENCE SENDS YOU FLYING TO SPACE AND THE MOON.
RELIGION SENDS YOU FLYING INTO BUILDINGS FULL OF PEOPLE.
hello I think your wrong, We need everyone in this country, Its what makes us great, It just when the 1 percent get to run the lives of the rest of the country that things go astray, We all need to come to an agreement. to live and let live and everything will be fine. It wont work that way though, Just because you don't believe in Satan doesn't mean he don't believe in you. Satan plays an Atheist like a a 12 year old plays a drum....with wild abandon!! An Atheists dosnt even realize hes being played, he thinks its free thinking!!!! Its free thinking that's making him feel this incredible urge to destroy Christianity, When he really could care less.
... you guys just don't get it at all, do you?
Fantastic!
There is nothing more ridiculous than than evangelical atheists....
Have you read your fairytale bible lately?
evangelical christians........
yes, those evangelical atheists going around changing laws, attacking people. geez, what's next? CHOICE?
Get real
Hey, Dean: You're another fine, shining example why Bible thumpers are mindless sheep and fools who are afraid of objective observation, science and education...from the DICTIONARY:
EVANGELICAL
e·van·gel·i·cal/ˌēvanˈjelikəl/
Adjective:
Of or according to the teaching of the gospel or the Christian religion.
Noun:
A member of the evangelical tradition in the Christian Church.
exactly, Imagine a fellow coming up to you and Saying You have to give up on God, Im telling you man Ive got a whole new way to live your life, When you Die its over, The Big Dark, Lights out, Do what ever the hell you want to because it doesn't matter!! Life has no meaning, Life, is you live, you sweat, you die miserable and alone.....You got that, so join up with me and spread the word, Remember if you cant see God hes not there, Unlike oxygen which we cant see but its there But Gods not there either, I cant prove it, But neither can they so take my word for it There is no God!! Im positive of it....yea yea that's gonna work real well! Oh wait.....Ive got it wrong this isn't for believers, Atheists no the look foolish to us, This is so Atheists can find other atheists, So they can eventually form a Church, its going to be a weird Church, because for the most part Atheists are so full of themselves they really don't have room for anyone else, And How do you build a church without compassion...O well this ought to be fun to watch!!
Dean, Dean ...... please do not post anymore ......... you don't even know how stupid you are.
Good luck with that. And when a Muslim tries to assasinate you for blasphemy, dont dare call any of us for help.
Did you see the article the other day about an immigrant muslim attaching an American citizen (an atheist) for mocking the profit? The judge let him off. Guess you agree with it.
So all Muslims are religious radicals? what are you thinking? Is that what they told you in bible study to make you feel better?
Very Christian of you.
Hey William better hope we Christians stay in power the Muslims don't tolerate Atheists, and you know from history they have never played nice. In fact I can guarantee you who ever made those signs is now on someone hate lists for crimes against Allah!
How come atheists are allowed to be vocal, but Christians have to keep quiet. Isn't it the rights off all to freedom of speech yet one group is discriminated against? Amazing......
Um, NO.
You idiots have been spouting that puke for 100 years.
Its time to sit down, shut up and give the opposition time to speak.
Otherwise, we stop playing nice.
Are you kidding me? Christians are the most vocal of them all! Everywhere you look you see crosses, billboards, etc. Not to mention the numerous TV channels dedicated to "spreading the word."
Atheists are speaking up and becoming more vocal because we are sick and tired of hearing and having our lives/schools/political systems full of ancient myths and fairy-tales.
I just wonder how many christians, muslims, atheists, etc. see a billboard and say to themselve "wow, imagine that! i've been wrong all along".
I live in a liberal-elite-east-coast-secular city (you know, basically Sodom and Gummhorah), and there's stuff about jesus everywhere. He's got a lot more money behind him.
Isn't it tough to play the victim when you represent well over 50% of the population?
Thats the thing. In Oklahoma, we have so many signs for religious groups. I have seen an atheist sign once. ONCE. it was taken down 1 week later....
uh, those signs are directed towards muslims and jews... NOT christians. But I'm sure you will keep thinking everything is about christians
When has a Christians freedom of speech been violated in this country? I have been criticized for just saying that I am an Atheist.
Hey, JL: I'm 50 years old and, in all of my entire life, I've not had ONE SINGLE atheist come to my door trying to get me to go to one of their meetings. EVER. Yet...every year of my life, on many, many weekends-especially Sunday...my one day to sleep in and catch up on some rest...Bible thumpers come rapping on my door with pamphlets, books, and insistence. And they keep coming back over and over, even after I've told them I'm NOT interested.
Finally, after being polite and saying "sorry I'm not interested. Thank you, good day" and seeing them return, I opened the door one day and said, "I've told you a million times, I'm not interested. Why? Because I'm an atheist." The girl actually SPIT IN MY FACE and walked away. Good thing my neighbour witnessed it. I called the cops and she spent a short time in jail for assault.