I couldn't resist..

my Democratic college roommate who is an MD living in Oregon, and is a black nominal Baptist emailed me this joke today.(I've haven't had a discussion with her abt religion in 25+ years as far as I can recall.)

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods.
>
> "What majestic trees!
> What powerful rivers!
> What beautiful animals!" he said to himself.
>
> As he continued walking alongside the river he
> heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning to look,
> he saw a 7 foot grizzly charging towards him.
> He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking
> over his shoulder he saw that the bear was closing
> in on him. His heart was pumping frantically and he
> tried to run even faster. He tripped and fell on the
> ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the
> bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him.
>
> At that instant the atheist cried out: "Oh my
> God!..."
>
> Time stopped.
>
> The bear froze.
>
> The forest was silent.
>
> It was then that a bright light shone upon the man
> and a voice came out of the sky saying: "You deny my
> existence for all of these years, teach others I don't
> exist and even credit creation to a cosmic accident.
> Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament?
> Am I to count you as a believer?"
>
> The atheist looked directly into the light, "It
> would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to
> treat me as a believer now, but perhaps, could you
> make the BEAR a Christian?"
>
> Very well," said the voice.
>
> The light went out.
>
> And the sounds of the forest resumed.
>
> And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head
> and spoke,
>
> "Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive
> and for which I am truly thankful."

Thanks for the chuckle. :thumbsup:

BTW hope you are able to reconnect to your past theological discussions with your Baptist buddy.