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Atheists shouldn’t have all the fun; come on, Catholics, share!

September 1, 2011

SpiritBlog

How I happen to receive an e-mail inviting atheists in or from Minnesota to tell their story for a potential book I don’t know. But it did spark an idea, and if you’re not an atheist, the idea involves you.

If there's no question mark behind your belief in God, please add a few lines of comment as this blog post requests.

The organization Minnesota Atheists, a registered nonprofit, is looking for essays on the personal experiences of Land of 10,000 Lakes atheists. Note that I quote, “These should be personal narratives from your life or observations which would be a poignant read for others. The account may be humorous, sad, surprising, quirky — whatever works. Possible themes might include, but are by no means limited to:

  • A non-traditional atheist experience;
  • Family relationships;
  • Coming out;
  • Your ‘conversion’ to atheism;
  • Raising atheist children;
  • An as yet untold story from your life;
  • What it means to be an atheist in our culture today.”
(Before I get to the heart of this commentary: “A non-traditional atheist experience?” There’s a “traditional” atheist experience? And “coming out”? Why don’t I equate ‘coming out’ with people who simply don’t believe in God?)

 

Why don’t you write me!
Anyway, as I was saying: The atheists’ e-mail triggered the thought that believers should flip this concept on its head. That’s where you come in.
How about sending in a comment to this post that offers a brief personal perspective from the opposite direction? You might add a comment from your life or observations that are humorous, sad, surprising, quirky, etc. It might be, but by no means limited to:
  • A non-traditional faith experience;
  • Family faith relationships;
  • Coming out as Catholic(!);
  • Your “conversion” to Catholicism;
  • Raising Catholic children;
  • An as yet untold story from your life as a Catholic;
  • What it means to be a Catholic in our culture today.
Hey, who knows, there could even be an e-book in this!
And don’t forget to share this blog post via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter with any and all who might be interested in adding their two cents.

 

(P.S.: You’re adding your comment implies your permission for Catholic Hotdish’s publisher to use your words and whatever name you post with.)
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About Bob Zyskowski

Bob is the Client Products Manager for the Communications Office of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. A 40-year veteran of the Catholic Press, he is the former Associate Publisher of The Catholic Spirit. You can follow him on twitter or email him at zyskowskir@archspm.org.

View all posts by Bob Zyskowski →
  • http://www.a-spiritual-journey-of-healing.com a-spiritual-journey-of-healing

    Dear Bob, This is a slightly cheeky poem from my book It’s OK to Believe. I am a Catholic, but really think of myself as non-demoninational and very much supportive of interfaith. On the first occasion when I read a poem about God in public, it did feel like I was coming out! I told a friend, who said:
    “Don’t be so daft Katherine. We are all fine with it. You Christians have a habit of feeling persecuted for no good reason.”
    Interestingly though 3 people came up to me afterwards and, without knowing about this poem or about what I has said, remarked,
    “Well done for coming out as a person of faith. We should all do it. ”
    I read and give talks regularly now and I often have people come up and say that it is so good to have someone read about God. No doubt it annoys some, but that’s ok. I send them blessings, and give them permission to believe what they do.

    I live in the UK, which is pretty secualar when it comes to the media. Your blog implies that people in Minnesota might have the opposite problem, where it is more normal to be Christian and they feel they are challenging the norm by declaring themselves atheists.

    Wishing you an abundant life,
    Katherine

    God Is In The Closet

    God is in the closet –
    a reality acknowledged by many but
    preferably ignored:

    Inconvenient,
    against our natural instincts –
    or so we think.
    Out of accord with
    how we would be seen
    by others.

    Let us live lives of
    quiet pain,
    rather than recognise
    ourselves.

    It’s OK to undergo a change in the way you see yourself.

    “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
    But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” (Galatians 4:28-29, KJV)

    • Bob Z

      Thanks, Katherine. You’ve a lovely touch with words.

  • Drted8845

    I am Theodore Morrison HomaMD. I just published a novel which has as a theme the Grand Design and ties it into Catholic Theology. Perhaps you might want to share that. Archimedes’ Claw is the title. Also Converted back to catholicism in 1990 due to a trip to Medjugorje. Had a near death experience in 2008 as well. The story was recently on Spirit daily.