I had another conversation with a Xtian at Walmart today--she started it! We live in Missouri and she said (apropos nothing as I strolled by her as she was strolling by with a woman who was apparently her mother), "I encourage you to vote 'no' for Prop. 3." Prop. 3 is for reproductive freedom, including the right to abortion. "Yes" is for freedom and "No" is for banning abortion.

I said the same thing to her as I said to the woman who called me yesterday asking me to vote "No": "You're talking to the wrong woman as I will definitely vote "Yes."

She seemed to surprise and launched into why I should vote against the proposition--mainly, because her sister had an abortion and died from it. (Incidentally, this was the SAME thing the woman on the phone said.)

I replied, "I am sorry about that, but thousands of women have died getting backstreet abortions. A ban won't stop abortions. There are thousands of women who have had legal abortions who didn't die. Because one woman died does mean others should not have access to safe abortions."

She said a couple of more things and then came up with the clincher: "What would god want you do do?"

I literally laughed out loud and said, "I'm an atheist and what a nonexistent god 'thinks' means nothing to me."

Now, she REALLY looked surprised and started a spiel about the Bible. I stopped her and said, "There is nothing in the Bible which says anything about abortion." She looked surprised but did not contradict me as she had no verses to support her point. I told her that I was raised Baptist and taught Sunday School for a decade and that I know more about the Bible than the vast majority of Xtians, i.e. they don't understand that there are two versions of creation--one is which man and woman are made at the same time and a second in which Eve is made from Adam's rib.

She said she knew about the two versions (which was a patent lie on her part) and tried to get in the last word by saying, "I just ask you to pray and ask for guidance."

I laughed and replied, "Why would I pray to a god who doesn't exist? Ya know, I prayed a lot in my time in church and yet, here I am."

She fell silent and walked away. I bet that I was the first atheist she had ever knowingly spoken to.