Posted by Lisa on: 05.02.2006 /
As the Off The Map project with Friendly Atheist, Hemant Mehta, wraps up I thought I’d take the opportunity to ask Hemant and Jim Henderson a few questions as they reflect on the adventure:
What has surprised you about this project?
Hemant - I am surprised how much I liked the larger mega-churches. I always had the impression they would be ones I’d like the least. I was also pleasantly surprised at the diversity of a few churches and how a positive message was conveyed at many. I wasn’t really surprised, but shocked, to hear/see a couple churches making prayer requests that I thought were so trivial and not worth praying for. Then again, who am I to say what to pray for what not to pray for…
Jim - The dialog between Atheists and Christians was a complete surprise to me. I found it to be the most fascinating and personally fulfilling part of this project. Meeting people like Siamang and Ir and Tom and Marty and Eliza has been intellectually and psychologically invigorating. I believe that Off The Map has bumped into something here that we will be able to use in future idea explorations.
Do you hope to work together in the future?
Hemant - With Jim? Sure. It was educational every time I talked to him, and I learned a lot.
Jim - I do. Hemant is very responsible and fair-minded. I would like to have more face to face time with him in order to learn more about how he processes experiences.
What have you learned about Christians/Atheists worldview that is new to you?
Hemant - I didn’t realize the wide range of theological viewpoints within Christianity. There were some very conservative groups and some so liberal, I was surprised they were “Christian” in that sense of the word. I also didn’t realize until I read some books the amount of academic work put in to “proving” the Bible– it doesn’t mean I agree with the authors’ conclusions (or their reasoning), but it was good to see Christians trying to answer the questions I have had.
Jim - I had no idea that Atheists felt like they were unable to “come out of the closet”. That has been an eye opener for me. I also learned that they can be just as biased and close minded as many Christians I know. Essentially, none of us are truly objective in our assessment of reality.
Has your worldview changed/adjusted at all because of this project?
Hemant - Not in respect to believing in God. I do appreciate the dialogue I’ve had with many Christians and I hope that continues, though.
Jim – I’ve been enriched and my worldview has become more interesting. I like learning about how those with different views experience the world and I enjoy having my assumptions challenged. This project has more than delivered in that regard.
Comment by: TXatheist
1Jim said
Because we don’t allow non-science to be conveyed as reality or truth? I guess trying to stop myths that do a disservice to our intellect is a bad thing and I’ll admit I won’t stop calling xianity what it is, a deception. When 53% of Americans believe god created us in our present form less than 10,000 years ago there is something wrong with our society when it comes to common science knowledge and one force is fighting that source of knowledge, the bible.
Comment by: Stephan
2Of course, by very definition someone who is closed minded will not admit they are closed minded.
I appreciate all you have done, Jim and Hemant, to get this ball rolling. It has been a very interesting ride, and we can only imagine where it will end.
Comment by: TXatheist
3I’m open-minded to the near impossible. I believe someday Stephan will stop making snide little comments but so far it seems like it won’t happen.
Comment by: Ir
4TX and Stephan, I have really appreciated both of your contributions here. But could you please take keep this thing between you off the blog?
I think we [i]all[/i] are closed-minded in some way or other and the best we can do it try to be aware of it so it doesn’t a) mess up our relationships b) get in the way of us being the best people we can be.
Comment by: Jim Henderson
5Now there’s the TX I missed hearing from…
Comment by: TXatheist
6Thanks Jim, but you are one of the few who does realize I have a view on xianity and I don’t think it deserves to remain silent.
Comment by: Ir
7I see atheists as closed-minded sometimes but not because they oppose Christians trying to push school systems to teach ’science’ that is not supported by the evidence of any mainstream scientists.
TX I missed hearing your direct comments against Christianity too, believe it or not… :)
Comment by: Ir
8Anyway, TX and Stephan, I have really appreciated both of your contributions here. But could you please take keep this thing between you off the blog?
I think we all are closed-minded in some way or other and the best we can do is try to be aware of it so it doesn’t a) mess up our relationships b) get in the way of us being the best people we can be.
Comment by: Marty
9I hope that this thread can acknowledge and appreicate Hemant and Jim as this chapter in this program comes to an end. I have placed my comments on what seems to me to have gotten this off track is posted at http://off-the-map.org/ebayatheist/viewtopic.php?p=3398#3398 and I hope the discussion of those types of things are taken there and not mess up this thread.
Comment by: Tom in Sacramento
10I agree with Marty, kudos and appreciation are due Jim and Hemant. Hemant for his intellectual courage and Jim for his vision of what a treasure trove of insights and ideas this could be.
I must confess, I have wondered at times whether Hemant’s initial interests were satisfied. Much as I love what has happened here — or most of it anyway ;-) — I have hoped that Hemant’s initial interests did not accidentally fall through a crack as the project ramped up.
Great job, Jim and Hemant. Wonderful contributions to all the rest of us. I hope this will not wither and die now that it has become a regular part of my day and a regular topic of my real life conversations.
Comment by: Lisa
11Tom,
It won’t wither and die. It may change form but no withering and dying. We promise to keep you in the loop.
Comment by: Winn
12I guess trying to stop myths, like there is NO God, that do a disservice to our intellect is NOT a bad thing and I’ll admit I won’t stop calling atheism what it is, a deception.
Comment by: Ir
13Go for it Winn.
Actually all you have to do is hand out the ‘right’ Christian literature - did you hear Hemant’s comments on the NPR interview about the literature he’s been sent?
Keep us posted on how many conversions you achieve ;)
Comment by: Ir
14Hemant and Jim thanks for these wrap-up comments. I’ve really enjoyed Hemant’s surveys. I’m glad he feels he has learned from the experience of visiting churches. I appreciate the mutual respect Jim and Hemant have shown each other throughout this project. I sort of wish it wasn’t over but I’m guessing Hemant probably is happy to move onto the next thing in his life!
Comment by: Julie Marie
15yeah, me too. And I’ll be Hemant is glad Jim didn’t apply a literal interpretation of the ebay “contract” — that would have been about 50 weeks.
Thanks Hemant, I’m glad you and open mind and a bright idea to show the world a friendly atheist. And thanks Jim, for helping bring forth such fruit from the idea!
Comment by: Mike C
16This was great y’all. I’m really sorry to see it end. Why don’t we do it again? I mean, why not hire another atheist (or someone from some other religion) and send them to another round of churches, maybe in a different city this time. It’d be really cool to do the same experiment but from a different perspective.
Or what about sending a Christian to a series of atheist gatherings, or to a number of gatherings from different religions?
Let’s keep this fun bus rolling!
Comment by: skikid
17Mike that would be very interesting, we talk a lot about going to different religious gatherings at my chruch (so far only Jewish has happened)… I think it has some great potential.
Comment by: Esther
18This indeed is a valuable experience for many of us. I believe that there are “silent readers” (don’t know how many) who may have never written down a word of comment, but infact have gotten some kind of “open-eye” or even “life-changing” experience just by reading all the dialogues here.
As for me, although I have not met any of you except Jim, I felt like we are a family already.(I hope that won’t offend anyone) I have all of your names(blog names) in my mind and for a handful of you, I felt that I know more of your life journey than my friend’s :-)
I want to write out all of your names as a celebration of this wonderful experience we all have contributed. (No preference in order)
David S, RickL, TX, Siamang, Hemant, Jim & Barb, Lisa W, Lisa, Eliza, Cully, Tom, Skikid, Stephen, Mike, Marty, NCxian, Winn, Florence, Julie Marie, Peter and Ir.(Sorry if you think that I’ve missed you out)
Oh, whether it’s hell or heaven, I wish we could meet up there without anyone on the other side! (It’s a joke! I do not know if there are any of them!)
Comment by: Tom in Sacramento
19That will be happening in any event. I have mentioned that I will be going to an Islamic meeting with a friend. And Rick is actually going to be presenting a paper at an interfaith group that includes (I think) both Moslems and Jews in addition to Christians. (And very possibly folks of other “stripes”.)
Comment by: Julie Marie
20I feel the same way, Esther :) I think the combination of impersonal medium (internet) and personal topic (belief vs. nonbelief and the effect is has on our lives) has created a community of people willing to share the truth, as they know it. Its been wonderful.