As I stated in my most recent post, I have been unable to get on here for a little while. First, I was in the process of moving, then I was unfortunate enough to encounter a traffic incident where I had to lay down the bike to avoid a serious injury (don't worry folks, the bike is repairable and that was what matters, ).

  Anyway, while lying in the hospital, I TOLD everyone not to notify my family, with whom I am estranged, of my current situation. Unfortunately, word reached them.

   I could not help but notice the difference in the condolences of my immediate friends and theirs. My immediate friends, my closest friends, called me on the phone to say "Stay strong man,". and "Hope your back up and riding again soon,". etc.

  My family condolences were "Well, GAWD is trying to get your attention and make you repent,". and "See what being an open Atheist has done to your life ? GAWD is not going to bless you, so long as you live like you do,". etc. I could go into more detail about the sort of responses that I got from them, but I think you get the general idea. Not to mention that once the word got out among them, that I was a bit down and out, I can't tell you how many "christians" were contacting me on the phone, claiming to want to wish me well and wanting to pray for me on the phone.

  Yet, underneath all of these christian prayers and well wishes, I could sense a bit of sneering arrogance on their part. Or so it seemed to me. They never expressed any well wishes without adding how this was "god's" punishment to the wicked and how "god" was working through my life and how "god" allowed me to pull through the motorcycle wreck without it being too serious. Odd, how they did not credit the fact that I have been riding for years and made the exact, split second decision, that saved me on that one. Not bragging on myself,hundreds of motorcyclists die everyday and I am no different, nor am I special. But, I found it ironic how a simple accident somehow translates to the will of god.

 Well, I have had some time to ponder upon this,while I go around the house on crutches and now have internet access again.

 It seems that the churches, love to use the downtrodden, people in dire straits, or people who have lost faith in themselves, to their own advantage. What could appear as a charity, or a generous gift to someone in need, really seems to smack of deceptive recruiting. Just another ploy, to make people lose hope in themselves and just another opportunity to get another member.

 Strange how some of the family that I had not spoken to in years was so anxious to help me....until I mentioned that I was not going back to church as a result of all of my circumstances.Then they took this condescending attitude of, hmph, guess you really want to go to hell after all. What sheer arrogance on the part of theists.

  I wonder if the missionaries in Africa have this same attitude, or the ones that minister to the sick and the suffering ? Do they do this out of true compassion ? Or do they do this for self glorification of their deity and themselves ? They can pat themselves on the back and talk about how they spent the whole day doing "god"s work. When maybe they were just making themselves feel good for taking time with all of us "sinners".

  Tell you what, I'll take my biker bros well wishes, my girlfriend's well wishes (of course, the family calls living together outside of marriage an abomination, even though we have been together a long time through thick and thin)over the well wishes of some hypocrite clergyman, that wishes to pray for me, any day.

Call me a little irritated right now, but I have a hard time with these theist instiutions that prey (not pray) upon unfortunate people in the hope of gaining another recruit.