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I’m quite touched at the kindness of my local Baptist community, and also realise for the first time, how I must now appear elderly and deserving of attention and consideration.

I had a visitor from the local Baptist church with an Xmas parcel this afternoon, not a church I have ever deigned to enter …nor for that matter, any of the other three Xtian denominations in my village. I assume as I’ve lived here for over 40 years, and have never made a secret of the fact that I’m an atheist, that they know this but have decided that immaterial of that, I’m a deserving old person. I am genuinely touched at their kindness and the only message they included in the parcel of edible goodies was the times of their services over the Xmas period.

So one notch to the Baptists…maybe I’ll have the other three churches vying for my deathbed conversion, now it appears I’m possibly in the sights of the grim reaper. I may be able to play each one off against the other if I play my cards right. Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans…any advance on a tin of biscuits and a jar of Xmas chutney?

Marionville 10 Dec 11
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12 comments

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1

It is hardly fair competition. Just look at their Coffers. There are much better ways of pleasing the elderly e. choice of time and mode of death. These too are acts of kindness.

As I’m not one of their flock it wouldn’t affect me one iota whatever their policy on mode or time of death is. That is something we need to lobby our legislators on…our MPs, not the churches, because we know the churches’ stance is unlikely to change.

6

I don’t know u in person . And odds are , I never will . I want u to know . In case I die . Your kindness and free spirit , it affects my life every day . Mostly the mornings , 0400 my time , in a pile of shit at ER , tired , fed up , fuck my life times , and here u are , bringing sunshine .
Occationally , u bring that in my times off . Btwen cleaning house and walking boys , or trying to look cute and trying to go out and do things . The last 3 plus yrs , nothing moves without checking what marionville has to say .
And never a dissapointement . From quotes to music , to comments to issues , never a dissapointement . I am typing this now that I am off and rested , bcz never enough x to thank u when at work . I want u to know this . U made me a better person the last 3 yrs . And a lot “ chilling out “ person too .
Thank u for every post . Man . Who will ever told me 20 and 30 yrs ago , that there will be a thing called internet , and a way to learn and grow by total strangers . Fuck my life . Not me . And here I am . Thankful of u .
U are a kind woman ms Margie . I am so lucky to “ know u “.

I’m truly humbled Pralina ….just to know that my small efforts on this site have touched your life and given you a lift when you needed it is so pleasing to know. Just knowing you appreciate my daily posts makes me very happy and has made me feel my time has been well spent and has been very worthwhile. Thank you for such lovely kind words….I too am lucky to know you my dear.. You, and a handful of others here on Agnostics have brightened up my days too, so it’s not just one way but like most good things it benefits both parties, and that’s the true essence of friendship. Friendship in our case which is only through communication and not in the flesh, and as you say probably will be never be any other, but friendship it is nevertheless - and sincerely felt. 🤗❤️

2

On the other hand, enjoy whatever love you can while you can.

It would be churlish to do otherwise, kindness is something we all need and should appreciate.

3

If you want to encourage this, try walking NEAR the church on a Sunday morn, without going in…look torn for a moment, then return home.

I don’t think the likely rewards are tempting enough to be bothered !

2

Is it kindness when they expect to receive special dispensation from their god in return? Or simply crass selfishness? You may be sure they patted themselves on the back, congratulating each other for their generosity.

8

A very nice effort on their part Marje. Even though I don’t like that they believe as they do, I know that many are truly kind people. I’m glad you had a nice treat! 😍

4

You be in the courtin’ game, girl.

The pastor’s quite young and dishy actually….come to think of it!

<- snickers

5

Many are well meaning kind people despite what they believe

bobwjr Level 10 Dec 11, 2021

Yes…they are.

1

Religion has always been a grift and they may have identified you as a possible mark due to your age and possible vulnerability. To attribute kindness to this sort of marketing ploy is sad naïveté.

You obviously don’t know me to make such a remark….they do know me though! I’ve lived in a small village with them for 40 years, I feel sure they’re under no illusions that I’ll be crossing their threshold any time soon! Please don’t treat me like I’m a naive idiot or patronise me…it’s very misplaced!

@Marionville I don’t know you other than from what you just wrote which prompted my reply, the mildness of which did not deserve the heat of your response. Save your animus for the confidence bunch who are trying to lure you into their church’s sphere of influence after decades of ignoring you.

In light of knowledge of religious history, all christian behavior should be suspect and my warning was not directed at you specifically rather than the general agnostic population in general.

@Killtheskyfairy The tenor of my post was really meant to be pretty tongue in cheek, and those who I regularly exchange banter with would recognise that. You and I have occasionally exchanged quips, but obviously not often enough or you’d know that I’m not naive, passive or likely to be targeted as a vulnerable old person. I’m sorry if I sounded sharp and apologise, although I think you could probably hold back a little on the.personal attack mode which I perceived in your own words.

I’m certainly a skeptic of all religions and their ploys..however I’m not a cynic and I do believe that there are some kind and sincere people in these religious organisations who, as individuals practice love and charity without expecting anything in return . I usually take things at face value and don’t look a gift horse in the mouth unless I have good reason to suspect an ulterior motive, and in this case I see none.

There is no flavor of naiveté more destructive than unfounded confidence. Religion is a much more complex phenomenon than just its historical dimension, which itself is much more complex than just a “grift”. The biological and anthropological dimensions of religion currently accepted and widely studied in scientific circles make your naiveté look more like malice.

Anyone who wanted to align their worldview more with science than with folklore and petulance could get up to date by glancing at the field of science known as CSR. [en.wikipedia.org]

Dawkins is so ‘previous millennium’.

2

Lucky you. All I got from the church was a Christmas card,but there is only one church in the village so no competition.

6

Credit where credit due. Underneath our identity skins we’re all capable of compassion, regardless of errors of perception.

skado Level 9 Dec 11, 2021

Exactly….I took it as a nice gesture.

4

If they had left out the mention of the "time of their services" it would be commendable but as written it was still just a ruse to promote their cult. My opinion and your mileage may vary.

I think it would have been unbelievable if they had not included something to try to save my soul…after all, everyone knows that is the whole point of their existence., but a flyer with just the times of their services seems to be pretty innocuous and hardly what I’d call hectoring or a hard sell! I have lived and been known around here as a nonbeliever for long enough for them to consider it a miracle if I turned up …but then they’re supposed to believe in them too, are they not! 😅

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