Atheism 23 - Respondez-vous, S'il Vous Plait

 I got mildly chastised today by a very close relation for wasting all my time talking to atheists on the pretense that it's a study in futility.  Considering the view count I've gotten to date, that may be largely true.  My response was that I saw little point in preaching to the converted; they don't really need to hear my message, as they already know it.  My relative was underwhelmed by my logic.  I'm hoping you, my dear reader, are a bit more lenient.

I see myself as an apostle, but that only makes sense if you know the root of that word.  The English word "apostle" comes from the Greek word "apόstolos" (άπόστολος) and it has no direct translation.  The closest English idea would be "one who is sent out," or, more specifically, an "ambassador" or "messenger."  And what do I see as my message?

I'm delivering invitations.  I'm not sent out with edicts, but invitations.

Let's consider a parable.  Let's just say that Jeff Bezos goes out to dinner one night and has the best meal of his life.  This is a brilliant, melt-in-your-mouth meal in which one flavor perfectly compliments the preceding one.  Each bite is pure ecstasy.  Jeff is so overpowered with the beautiful harmony of the meal that he decides everyone on the planet should be able to enjoy such a meal at least once in their life.

So, he leaves his table and goes into the kitchen and asks to see the chef (he's Jeff Bezos; he can do that!).  He tells the chef that the meal was miraculous and says he wants the chef to prepare the meal for everyone, belay the cost.

So arrangements are made.  The chef is hired (at considerable expense), the world's largest arena is secured, the food purchased, furniture and supplies are rented, the staff is hired, the date is set and the invitations are sent out.  "Come to the best dinner of your life, hosted by Jeff Bezos.  No tie needed, no donations requested.  Just show up at the arena at such-and-such time, sit down and you will be served.  If you live too far for convenience, reply to this address.  We'll send a car.  Please RSVP."

Are you coming?  You don't have to.  You're free to stay home, eat a fried bologna sandwich and Chee-tos and watch some reruns of  Facts of Life if you'd rather, and no one will think the lesser of you.  Or, you can accept the invitation and enjoy the best meal of your life.  Either way is fine.  It's an invitation, after all, not an edict.

That's what this blog is about.  I'm a messenger delivering invitations.  The only difference is that my real message contains a phrase we didn't include in our hypothetical one:

"Come, let us reason together, says the Lord." (Isaiah 1:18)

RSVP

Pax