The Generous Atheist Was Homeless

I wonder if she ever met a Hindu or Buddhist. Would that blow her mind too?

We don’t, but they think we do. They know what’s best for us and everyone else. That’s why they’re dangerous.

Hmm, according to the mission newsletter he was baptized catholic shortly before his death.

http://www.amissionofmercy.org/media/pdf/AZWinterNews08.pdf

Tell me why we need religion to have morals again?

Well first of all, because…uh…well GOD says…uh…let me get back to you on that.
🙂

Oh I quite agree that the story of last minute conversion is odd; I just wanted to present all the evidence.

Lay Catholics can baptize (for that matter in the Catholic eyes, atheists can baptize as long as (a) they intend to baptize someone a Christian and (b) they use something close to the correct form). He does seem to have been confirmed, which for the dying can be done by a priest instead of a bishop, and received communion (once). Given that he was dying from a stroke, his ability to fully consent may be doubtful (on the other hand he did leave $400,000 to the mission). I do find it odd there was nearly two months between his death (August 19) and church funeral (Oct 9). It was in September that the church found out he had left money to the charity.

I will note the mission the money is going to provides free medical and dental care and free medicine to those in need regardless of their religion. It is primarily Catholic but not directly under the Catholic Church’s control.

I heard this on the radio yesterday. My first thought was this thread.
http://friendlyatheist.com/2009/07/24/the-kindest-smackdown-ive-ever-seen/“
Today’s assignment is to compare and contrast the two. For extra credit, name three dead Christians who’ve bequeathed to avowedly atheist groups. Okay, one’ll do.

He was an atheist and I’m a very profound practicing Catholic, and I’d never met an atheist

Just like she’d never met a homosexual I bet. Why is it so hard for some people to understand that there are others who hold differing views from them? Are they so insulated from the world in their little Christian bubble that they’re not even aware of a world outside of it?

Folk like this are far more numerous (still) than believers in the Sky-Guy-up-in-Paradise beyond the distant galactic “bubbles.” And, our compassion must extend even to those who are quietly obedient, are as kind as they can be…. I’ve know many nuns who were incredibly compassionate for little reward. Therein, of course, there were the authoritarians too.
Some ignore them. The phrase might
well be: “Authoritarianism corrupts. Absolute ” corrupts aabsolutely.” Kindness to all is much more rare with the shock-jock- radio/TV people who evince whatever compassion and kindness are not…. They are dangerous. Western History is replete with examples all the way back to Lycourgos in 8000-1500 BCE Aryan Greek Macedonians called, Spartans.
The true democracies finally had enough and created a phalanx 50 deep, instead of Spartan 8. Thebes fnally woke up to the damage of the anti-humane hate-driven violent ones evoke (its found much more profitable), in ancient Greece, or among the Taliban who, but for their few leaders (believers in world Jihad) are just poor/poverty striken farmers whe get $10.00/day from “Al Queda” (just a name that gets lots of attention – not at all like the Pentagon. Karzai, is just another warlord who understands _another_ western empire much the same as Alexander 2400 years ago, thinks like propaganda about “eternal war.” Even the youngest warlord does not give the needy more than $1.00/day. For 10.00, they fight. For 1.00, they grow poppies for poppyseed bagels. Most don’t know most of the poppy produce in Afghanistan goes to our bagels and biyalies.