The Atheist and the Bear
===============

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods,
admiring all that the "accident of evolution" 
had created. 
What majestic trees! 
What powerful rivers!
What beautiful animals, he said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river, 
he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. 
He turned to look.
He saw a 7-foot grizzly charge toward him.

He ran as fast as he could up the path.  
He looked over his shoulder and saw 
that the bear was closer. 

He ran even faster, so scared 
that tears were coming to his eyes. 
He looked over his shoulder again, 
and the bear was even closer. 
His heart was pumping frantically 
and he tried to run even faster.

He tripped and fell to the ground. 
He rolled over to pick himself up but 
saw the bear, right on top of him,
reaching for him with his left paw 
and raising his right paw to strike him.

At that instant the atheist cried out 
"Oh my God!"

Time stopped.

The bear froze.

The forest was silent.

Even the river stopped moving.

As a bright light shone upon the man, 
a voice came out of the sky, 
"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 Christian now, but perhaps 
you could make the bear a Christian?"

"Very well," said the voice.

The light went out.

The river ran again.

And the sounds of the forest returned.

And then the bear dropped his right paw...
brought both paws together...
bowed his head and spoke:

"Lord, for this food, 
which I am about to receive, 
I am truly thankful, 
Amen