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The strike began at dawn…
Ok, not really. It actually began about around 9:30 after I had dropped my oldest off at school, and cleaned out my car.
The reason that I picked the this church because of all of these little green signs that are popping up in lawns all over my neighborhood:
So I pull up into the gigantic parking lot. I had no idea how massive this place was.
(Note the FSM emblem) :-)
I walked in and talked to the woman at the front desk. I told her that I had seen the green lawn signs around and I was wondering if I could just take a look around. I should also mention that I had my 19 month old with me who was busy trying to go into every open door in sight. The woman at the desk was very friendly and helpful. She told me that everyone was in a prayer meeting so I wouldn’t be able to see anyone, but I was more than welcome to walk around.
I had my flyers folded up in my purse, and I began to place them in random spots on my way down the hall. Taking pictures of this wasn’t easy, especially since I was trying to keep up with this guy.
We walked around the lobby area. Unfortunately, the “sanctuary” was locked. I was told that this was due to frequent vandalism and theft. So I walked around and planted flyers while my little one climbed all over the furniture.
Then it was time to plant the DVD. I placed it among pamphlets and information on things like pregnancy decision, pro-life resources, ministries, and missions.
Can you find Jesus?
On my way out, I managed to get a few flyers into the windshields of cars parked in the lot. But only a few, because a lot of cars began pouring in to the parking lot.
I know that I may get some negative comments over this one. But I didn’t do anything illegal. It was all in fun. I was very polite and I have no ill feelings towards anyone there, and was very welcomed. The woman at the front desk actually suggested that I was sent by God because she was just praying that she would meet women from my side of town for her new Women’s Group. Besides, I can’t count how many times Xian tracts have been left on my doorstep.
on April 11th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
I hate to say this, but isn’t this just as bad as Christian evangelism? How can we possibly call their tactics rude, in-your-face, and culturally repugnant when we would do the same things to them?
on April 11th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
at some point anon, you decide to fight fire with fire. what alternative would there be? i get between 5-10 pieces a week during this time of year either in the mail or on my door.
i think this type of activity is MAKING THE POINT about overaly agressive evangelism, so i think you miss the point.
on April 11th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
fight fire with fire and everyone gets burned.
on April 11th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Evangelists killed people to find the witches amongst them. They formed the Ku Klux Klan and killed the blacks and Immigrants amongst them. Have been in a silent war with all of Ireland and killed the Catholics there (until the I.R.A. was formed).Voted in a psychopath TWICE, and his father before him, and are killing Arabs in their own land ( I know in there eyes there saving them from Sadam, that’s why in the first war we left him there all snug and safe waiting for the Bush son to get him). I think pamphlets are a joke of what should be done to these freaks. I’m positive there having a great prayer meeting on it, so it works in there favor.
I don’t think that someone standing up for logic and reason is playing at there level.
GOOD WORK!
on April 11th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
I just want to encourage you to spend your time and energy adding something positive to the world instead of adding to the woes.
on April 11th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
“I don’t think that someone standing up for logic and reason is playing at there level.”
Nice polemic. Now how about how much damage atheism has done in the 20th century? Look, go spread some love no matter what your beliefs are. The world has enough self-centered twerps.
on April 11th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Oh my godless - you are my hero! Awesome!
on April 11th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
“fight fire with fire and everyone gets burned.”
…just stand there and only you do. maybe what you’d be looking for is a truce. put away your fire and i put away mine. up to now most who are not overtly christian in this country are the only ones getting burned.
on April 11th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
I just wanted to say that I won’t be defending myself here… But I do appreciate your comments. Let me reiterate - this was all in fun. I think of it as a big practical joke. But, if one - Just One - person stops and thinks after finding a flyer, then I consider it worth it. All they have to do is think, even if only for a second.
And since I know it’s coming, yes, I do think I’m setting a good example for my children. In my opinion, I’m setting a better example for my children then a lot of Xians out there.
“Oh my godless…”
LOVE IT!! I’ve been using “Oh your god” up until now! :-)
on April 11th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Nice polemic. Now how about how much damage atheism has done in the 20th century? Look, go spread some love no matter what your beliefs are. The world has enough self-centered twerps.
How much damage has atheism done? If you’re going with the old “communism” canard, then the onus is on you to prove that it was the atheism part of those totalitarian regimes which made them so vicious.
Please do. I’ll start by outlining evidence for the complicity of Christian churches in the Rwandan genocide and we’ll take it from there.
on April 11th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
“It was a gorgeous Palm Sunday. The kind of day that makes you want to ride on a donkey and get hit with palm fronds…” Or Support the War On Easter
buahahaha:People go to churches to hide from the truth, Flemming said in a statement. At no time is this more apparent than Easter, when Christians get together to convince each other that a man died, stayed dead three days,
on April 11th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Hmmm pity that the site is down, I never was a huge fan of Easter myself. But anything that makes people stop for a second and really THINK about their religion is worth the effort.
I try to be a realist with religion I won’t discount everything, I’m a pretty strong agnostic, but I hate blind faith.
And thats not just christians but any religion. Good job on making people take a second to think or to react. I don’t think it should be about converting people, or making them lose their religion, but about making them think, making them better understand and want to learn more about their religion.
on April 11th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Cassandra, I don’t think you’re a bad mom for doing this. I don’t really think motherhood has anything to do with it. Also, I realize that it’s a practical joke, and I hate to be taking the fun out of it, but can’t you imagine hearing:
“But, if one - Just One - person stops and thinks of Jesus after finding a flyer, then I consider it worth it. All they have to do is think of Jesus, even if only for a second.”
from a Christian spreading Jack Chick’s tracts around?
We’ve got to take the higher ground on this, or else we become no better than they are.
on April 11th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
I think what your doing is funny. Very amusing in fact. I have an active faith in God and still think it’s funny. I just have to hope one day you’ll realize how inane and pathetic it is, even if it is funny. All these people will do is throw it away and feel certain you are going to hell. If they are wrong, then they will die and that will be the end. If they are right, I’m sure you’ll be hoping someone has pity on your souls, and that adoreable child tearing through the church.
Summary:
On only one side of the debate does it really suck to be wrong. On that same side of the debate it doesn’t matter if you’re right.
on April 11th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Benjamin,
You REALLY need to google for “Pascal’s Wager”. Its been debunked on a dozen different levels.
Personally I don’t think a “War on Easter” is gonna be very productive. I’ve found that Christians stubbornly hold onto their ignorance.
I just wish everyone a “Happy pagan fertility ritual” and let it go at that.
on April 11th, 2006 at 9:26 pm
HERE here to the “Happy pagan fertility ritual” I like a site: http://www.universist.org/
Universist Foundation - The Value of Diversity - Belief is an Evolution
Now do not slam me I an godless myself.
on April 11th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
This is just too funny!
on April 11th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
Benjamin said:
[…] and that adoreable child tearing through the church.
He is cute, isn’t he?!?
Thanks again to everyone for coming by and leaving a comment, be it positive or negative. :-)
on April 11th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
Ok, John, I’m not sure where that “Happy Pagan fertility ritual” was on that site, but you can find examples on my site here.
Cassandra,
That’s just too flippin’ funny to me. I am now imagining little gray haired ladies hyperventilating and running back to the prayer room to ask for guidance! You’ve got bigger stones than me, that’s for sure.
Ostara is my favorite time of year. It’s significant to me as a Pagan. And I love to remind good Christians that they stole my damned holiday all the way down to the colored eggs (well, just regular eggs as the Greeks had the colored eggs, but that is not my point) and happy rabbit. What does Jesus have to do with fertility anyway? This is the time of year to celebrate the return of spring and the promise of hearty crops (historically speaking). They don’t need it. Blah!
Good on you for giving them back what they always give.
on April 11th, 2006 at 10:03 pm
Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that one Pagan fertility ritual that wasn’t usurped by the xtians is making love under the first full moon after the spring equinox- outdoors. I don’t do that because, well, my neighbors would frown seriously.
on April 11th, 2006 at 10:09 pm
Atheist Mama,
Good job! Great report! :)
To all the CRITICS of this operation:
There is nothing wrong with leaving information for people to find. It is not wrong for Christians to evangelize, nor is it wrong for atheists to leave flyers and DVDs for Christians to find.
What is wrong is NOT offering to share one’s message, but the MESSAGE itself. It is wrong to believe in an immoral ideology (like Christianity) but it is not wrong to express to others what you believe.
Get it through your skulls. If spreading a message is wrong as you claim it is, then the internet is wrong, all tv and newspapers are wrong for existing, and you coming in here to voice your opinion is wrong.
on April 11th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
I love this idea. Honestly I think it’s about time we started something like this. I see this far less invasive than the Christians who knock on my door once a week trying to get me to attend so and so church. I think next time they stop by, I will tell them if they sit through this movie with me, then I will definitely listen to what they have to say.
on April 12th, 2006 at 8:01 am
Hey,
First of all, I do think this is pretty damn funny. It really is, and people just need to have a sense of humor about it.
However, I’m just not for the “war” this guy is having. Again, I get that it’s more like a needle in their side than a “war,” but I just think the whole big mission is a little mean spirited.
And believe me, I have no pity for the believers out there. I cannot tell you how many times they have offended me by pushing their beliefs on me in public, and even across the media. So, I do get that this is just giving them a little back.
I think the thing that I don’t like is that you have to go into churches to do it. It’s disrespectful of somebody’s place of worship. And yeah, I think all religion is crap, but I also believe that no good will come from taking cheap shots at the believers.
Off topic, I have some experience in writing and directing myself. Last year, I finished up three years of work on a feature documentary. It had a run of about 8,000 DVD’s that have been shipped worldwide. Thus, I do have a little experience in the area of film production.
I bought this DVD a few months back and just didn’t think it was all that great. I liked that it was out there. I liked that it held some entertainment for me as an atheist. However, it just didn’t hold up that well from a writing and directing point of view. In addition, I thought it presented some pretty poor arguments for atheism in general. Again, that’s just my opinion.
All said, I think this “war” is a silly little diversion that will have no effect on anything. I think it’s pretty mean-spirited at it’s heart, and I think that the DVD production itself is pretty crummy.
While I’m all for the “war” being waged through educating the masses, I don’t think it is ever alright to go into churches to do it; even if it is in the spirit of good fun.
on April 12th, 2006 at 8:23 am
As an afterthought…
Even though I am against these “missions” to enter churches, if they are going to even happen again, I’d much rather see great book somebody like Richard Dawkins left behind.
I’m not advocating doing so - and I think it would be wrong - but I’m trying to make a point. “Unweaving the Rainbow” presents it’s information in a way that is opinionated and frank, while holding it’s arguments to the highest standards. It also doesn’t “attack” like the DVD does at times.
To me, a religious person might actually be disarmed and learn some hard scientific fact from the book; much more so than the DVD. In addition, because the book doesn’t offer a “direct assault” type mentality, they might begin to see that their dogma just doesn’t make much sense.
I think that you’ve got to build the base of their knowledge up first, if you’re going to ever “win the war.”
…anyway, all that said, I do find Cassandra’s mission a little funny. :-)
on April 12th, 2006 at 11:00 am
Well, I guess it’s ok to be religiously intollerant, as long as it’s pointed towards Christians.
I don’t get it.
If this were an attack on Buddhists you all would be shot - but somehow this is ok because you are doing it to Christians.
This seems to be the trend in society today…everyone has rights except Christians.
It just sounds hypocritical.
Sorry.
on April 12th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
Christians won’t do anything about it. I would guess they don’t have the fortitude to do this in a mosque, I wouldn’t. Even if I could bring myself I could never feel safe bringing children. I was reading the Quran (or Koran) and a Muslim assumed I wasn’t a Muslim (we were both in the army, so both in uniform, meaning it was my skin color) and threatened me with the admonition that I had better not disrespect that book. I was only seeking knowledge but the book is filled with threats toward enemies (non-believers) they are to be killed where they are found (nearly direct quotation), killed for converting people away from islam, killed for converting away from islam, there are about 95 other places where they are to be killed for liberties our constitution protects. Religion of peace my big shiney axe.
P.S.
Yes Cassandra very cute. Got a nephew blond as that younger one and watching him run around and discover new things is… (I don’t want to use this word but it fits) precious. Can’t even fathom what emotion would be present were it my own child.
on April 12th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Wow… it’s a good thing Christians do not operate on the same level as you, nor possess your apparent lack of integrity. Your actions in that church not only prove that you have no discretion, but also that your motives are anything but pure. You are virtually telling all of us, Christians, that you act only to aggravate. You do realize that the firm believers do not falter in their faith because of any atheist actions. Therefore, what you have done will not weaken the faith of as many as your ego predicts. Though you may claim that “It was all in fun,â€Â? I hope you realized that you infiltrated a House of God under false pretences, lied to an innocent woman, and intended to corrupt the church with your outrageous material and entirely offensive flyers. What you did was not “funâ€Â? but horribly wrong and distasteful. Perhaps this is not the example that you want to setting for your son and new outlets for your apparent disagreement with Christians must be found.
on April 12th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
I hope you realized that you infiltrated a House of God under false pretences, lied to an innocent woman, and intended to corrupt the church with your outrageous material and entirely offensive flyers.
Ok, infiltrated a house of god? Well, it’s a house anyway… a really expensive one!
Did I lie to the woman? Well, I didn’t tell her the whole truth I suppose. All I said was that I saw some signs advertising their church (littering my neighborhood) and I wanted to take a look around.
Corrupt the church? You surely don’t give me that much credit, do you?
on April 12th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
It’s about getting the information out. I don’t see what’s so inflammatory about putting DVDs and fliers around a church. Don’t they do the same? Isn’t it protected by the 1st amendment?
I say start stealing baby Jesus’ from manger scenes and leave DVDs there. That’d be a hoot.
EP
on April 12th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
The big difference between someone knocking on your door and this type of behavior is that Christians knocking on your door takes guts.
This is cowardly. If you want to spread your message knock on the parsonage and try to share your message. Instead of just making nice with the lady at the front desk, share your message with her.
Christians accept that they will be ridiculed by some to save the few. But this type of act is the same as the so called Muslim jihadists covering their faces when beheading journalists. It’s cowardly.
on April 12th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Hey Ed, you’re really making the rounds, aren’t ya? I’m seeing your comments all over the place!
on April 12th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Ed said:
If you want to spread your message knock on the parsonage and try to share your message. Instead of just making nice with the lady at the front desk, share your message with her.
Now this is an interesting challenge. I wonder what would happen. Do you think they call security on me?
on April 13th, 2006 at 10:31 am
I have a few question for all of the christians so offended by this mission:
1) If god is supposedly omniscient and omnipotent, why does it need to be defended?
2) If your faith in god is so strong, wouldn’t materials intended to challenge that faith have little effect, if any, except to strengthen that faith by exercising it?
3) If your faith in god isn’t that strong, shouldn’t you figure out why?
4) Isn’t god’s house open to one and all, especially sinners like atheists?
on April 13th, 2006 at 11:18 pm
I am a Christian, I attend the big church you visited, I am not offended or threatened in any way by what you did. However, I would advise you to be very careful around this church or God might do to you what he did to me and reveal his love for you. It will drastically change your life and make you understand why we Christians look silly and sometimes do pretty stupid things.
He is madly in love with you and your very cute little kids!
on April 14th, 2006 at 6:08 am
Cute story. Cute kid too.
And one commenter here was “offended by false pretenses …?”
Aren’t ‘missions’ about spreading the ‘word’ at the heart of christian religons - but probably not as humorous or nonviolently?
I think it’s seeing a glimpse of their mirror image that many find disturbing.
The item missing on the flyers is the closing message which “blesses me without any choice” - and ‘for my own good’, they’ll do it anyway as if I “don’t know any better”.
on April 14th, 2006 at 8:24 am
Kerry, thanks for commenting! I’m glad you weren’t offended. Your comment made me smile.
See? Now wouldn’t this type of response be better than threats and insults??
Thanks to everyone else for your comments. I’m having a hard time keeping up with them all!
on April 15th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
Cassandra, I was thanking God for you yesterday morning, and a thought came to mind from the 1980’s movie War Games. There was a line in the movie where the computer challenges its maker to a game. It said, “Do you want to play a game?”
I think God is smiling upon the war on Easter. Enjoy the game!
on April 15th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Way to go! It’s good to see that someone is taking action. I would, but aside from the fact that I’m not old enough to drive, it would likely be frowned upon by the rest of my family. I announced my atheism on January 29th this year to my family, and I have received little more than the expected amount of confrontations so far. Unfortunately, it seems that they’re attempting to get me back into church by FORCING me to go tomorrow, on Easter. If only I had some War On Easter pamphlets to bring with me…
on April 15th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
HA I so wish you were my friend hehehehe My 20mth old, your 19mth old, we could run around and have SO much fun hehehe
Keep up the good work
on April 16th, 2006 at 2:49 am
Cassandra,
Kerry Davis might have left a nice comment, but it still contains the same condescension I find in the comments of the rude.
He assumes if an atheist went to church, they would find the “love” of God. I’ve been to church many times, but reality is easier to accept. Having “faith” is not good enough.
Kerry is right though - this “love” of a nonexistent being makes people “silly” and “stupid.”
In conclusion, I prefer rude posters.
Kerry, if you want to play a real game, I dare you to research the religion you profess to bring “love.”
on April 16th, 2006 at 9:11 am
Good luck today Mark! :-)
Lady Celtic, sounds like tons of fun! Hahaha!
Sarah, interesting observation about Kerry’s comments.
He assumes if an atheist went to church, they would find the “love” of God. I’ve been to church many times, but reality is easier to accept. Having “faith” is not good enough.
True. Being in that church brought no feelings for me at all. It was just like being in an office building.
I do see a slight condescending tone, and was surprised to see that I was being prayed for, but I just decided to ignore it and I’m just happy that I wasn’t called an ignorant pervert or anything similar.
But good challenge Sarah.
Kerry, if you want to play a real game, I dare you to research the religion you profess to bring “love.”
So how ’bout it Kerry? Can you handle a rational, real look at your religion, and at life?
on April 16th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
Cassandra, Thanks for taking the time to respond. I certainly was not trying to be condescending - just playful. You seem to be very funloving and fair.
I am willing to play. Do we continue this discussion here, move it to email or whatever?
on April 17th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
Cassandra & Kerry,
Can I join in the game? This can be fun…especially if we decide on NO name calling, No Insults and No threats whatsoever:)
on April 17th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Sure Edmond! I’m guessing you’re a theist?
on April 14th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
You know what, THATS THE RADDEST THING IVE EVER SEEN great job, i actually googled atheist flyers and found this site im trying to locate some atheist flyers to counter the five a day i get on my door. Godwads are all around me, and it’s very annoying. Thank you for supporting a real cause.