Atheism Versus the Easter Bunny

Referring to a prominent atheist, the Christian comedian would say,

“Hey, I don’t believe in the Easter Bunny but I don’t make a career out of it.”

The Baptist performer made his career traveling the world using his funny stories as a tool for evangelism.  He was, and still is quite effective, with his blend of humor and pathos and I used to think his line about the Easter Bunny was funny.  

But let’s turn this around a bit and say, hypothetically, that instead of God, the comedian believed in something silly, like… the Easter Bunny, and made his career out of that belief.  What if he performed all over the country basing his message on this belief? 

And what if, when challenged, he took on a serene, sanctimonious look as he gave his witness: 

“I know it’s true,” he might say, “because I feel the Easter Bunny in my heart.  My parents taught me it was true and I still get a warm feeling when I sing the sweet childhood songs that proclaim the power of the Bunny.  I meet regularly with others to have special Bunny Study Groups and we encourage each other when our doubts haunt us.  Plus, once when I was hunting Easter eggs I had almost given up hope but then the Spirit of the Bunny spoke to my heart and showed me where I could find some—and I did! More than my basket could hold! So don’t tell me the Bunny isn’t real!” 

What if billions of people said the same thing? 

In that context, I think I could understand how someone might choose to make a career arguing against the existence of the Easter Bunny.   

Sure, it’s a silly scenario.  However, billions of people actually do profess a belief in a deity they have never seen, heard, or smelled, and they use the same, uh, reasoning to justify their belief.  And so, yes, some of us resist the concept although we rarely make a living from doing so.

Someone might ask me, “Why make things so unpleasant by arguing? Why not go on with your life and let people believe as they do?  Why can’t we all have mutual respect for each other?” 

Mutual respect sounds pretty good to me, and it would be a great starting place.  We could all be quiet and let everyone have their own thoughts.

So how about this:

I’ll get quiet when the Evangelical Christians do.  When they stop their global campaign, I’ll stop writing and talking.  I’ll stop speaking up when they stop trying to condition the minds of little children with songs, stories, and threats.  When they quit trying to force the schools and the government to carry their message for them, I’ll stop protesting.

Many Christians accuse atheists of having a hidden agenda, which I think takes a special blend of nerve and insanity, considering that their highest priority is to convert the entire world.

By the way, there’s nothing secret about the atheist agenda.  Simply stated, we won’t be forced to believe in God.

It may not be much of a career but it’s a powerful cause.