Subject: You = My Atheventure Inspiration

Hey there, Bob.  I have been a long time fan (e-mailed you a few times in the past).  I have been an atheist for almost as long (four years).  I visit your site every day looking for updates.

A few months ago, on your site, I saw a photo of a guy holding a sign next to a street that said, "GOD IS FAKE," and you asked if anyone knew anything about it.  Well, that guy wasn't me, but that guy became me.  I asked myself why I wasn't doing something like that.  So, I grabbed an old political campaign sign, recrafted it, and started what I have called "Abe's Atheventures." For the last five Sunday mornings (not including Christmas), I have been holding a sign that says, "GOD IS FAKE" in front of fundamentalist/evangelical megachurches in the Portland area and my hometown of Vancouver, WA. 

I started with the church I attended for ten years as a child, then went on to the church that hosted my old Christian elementary school, and then hit the churches in Portland.  As services poured out, I held up my sign in view of church-goers in cars, wearing my Sunday best with a tie, and holding a Bible proudly against my chest.  Sure, I got a lot of wagging fingers, shaking heads and frowns, but I also got a lot of smiles and laughs.  The most violent reaction came from someone who threatened to run me over, but he learned how to be a good Christian in the end.  And many people came up to me and talked, and almost all were as friendly as could be, which was the best part, because I had a chance to give them the Good Word of atheism in depth.  Some of them followed up with e-mails to me.

I wrote accounts of my atheventures at the Interent Infidels Discussion Boards, and I seem to have gained a small cult following.  People have asked me if it is OK if they copy this idea, and I am surprised at the question, because it isn't really my idea, and it would be nothing less than awesome if more people did it.

I hope to continue it indefinitely.  This coming New Years Day will be a Sunday, and it is one I hope to make especially memorable and significant for my handful of fans and for the largest church in Oregon.  It is because of you, and I wish to give you credit for giving me the attitude and the motivation.  Your story about seeing the Passion of the Christ dressed as the devil was one of the best things I have ever read.  Thanks, Bob!

Love,
Abel Dean (ApostateAbe)