Man asks Salon‘s Cary Tennis for advice.
His 13-year-old daughter is an evangelical Christian. He’s an atheist. She thinks he’s going to hell. He fears mentioning religion or evolution or the simple fact that there’s nothing wrong with being gay.
What should he do?
Cary’s advice: Go to church.
If you go to church with her, you will make it possible for her to believe that there is at least a chance that you will not burn in hell.
Umm… I’m pretty sure that for evangelicals, if you don’t believe in Jesus’ divinity, you’re going straight to hell.
Which is why I’m still going to hell even after visiting 3298432 churches.
The rest of the advice isn’t any better:
But don’t just go to church with her. Meet with one of the officials. That’s right, wander right down on to the field and speak with one of the guys in the striped shirts. Or whatever they wear. Arrange a private conference. In this private conference, you can say whatever you like. It doesn’t matter really. It might be a good conversation or it might be utterly ridiculous. But show your daughter that you are willing to engage with one of the people she respects. Show her that you have enough humility and independence of spirit to engage, that you are not fearful or dogmatic or close-minded.
No one accused him of being fearful or dogmatic or close-minded.
His only “crime” is thinking rationally.
And would someone like to explain the football analogy to the rest of us?
(via The Talent Show)
[tags]atheist, atheism, Christian, church[/tags]