Day 279 – Difference of Opinions

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279/365 (October 6, 2010) – I am an atheist so I don’t believe in your god, but I can say that I appreciate the architecture of the monuments that you build in the name of your beliefs.

The Nanaksar Gurdwara Gurusikh Temple out on Westminster Highway.

I was driving out to pick up a new leather motorcycle jacket that was being altered (what a mess that turned out to be and I’m incredibly upset that it’s paid for and a complete disaster, but that’s another story) and pulled off the road on the way home to have a little meltdown. I stopped in front of this temple, which I’ve always wanted to photograph. The day was gorgeous, but in my mood I just jumped out and took a photo from the street.

This sort of dovetailed with something unusual that arrived in the mail the day before. A handwritten letter, from a complete stranger, offering bible studies because of the horrible state of affairs in the world. Funny how religion, which flaunts hope, uses fear to try and attract people. Two things about the letter amused me. Firstly – it was sent to an atheist. Secondly was that it said “I’ve tried to contact you unsuccessfully by other means”. Well, if your phone number comes up as Private or Unavailable on my caller ID…nope, I don’t answer and also…if you’d tried to contact me, that implies you know who I am…(which leads back to the first amusement) so then why did you address it to “The Resident”?

But one thing did impress me. The letter was a full page in length, and handwritten. It sort of reminded me of those chain letters you used to get in the mail, you know, send two dollars and hundreds will come back to you, or send this to ten friends or something bad will happen. I was impressed that someone sat down and wrote out a letter and mailed it. Too few people do that anymore.

So I think I will write one back, and highlight all the wonderful things that science has done for the world and how if she just lets science into her heart…. you get the idea.

Maybe I should send a copy of “The End of Faith” by Sam Harris….

Kirk says I’ll start something…he’s probably right, but I’m a bit bugged by it.