I helped someone in need today and they asked if I was religious. It felt so good to say "nope."

Seewoods

"If I don't believe God will help you, then who will?"

I'm going to have to remember this line. Me and some friends meet up every other week to cook food and distribute it to the homeless people who congregate in the local park, and I think nearly everyone in the group is non-religious. We don't really get asked why we do it; most people seem to focus their surprise on the fact that we're just a bunch of teenagers. But I imagine the religion question will come up eventually.

jumpinthefire

my girlfriend's mom refused to believe that i was an atheist because i'm "a kind soul". i guess nice atheists aren't a real thing.

Veteran4Peace

One of the best things (for me) about being a paramedic in Texas is just how often someone I've helped out assumes I'm a Christian and I get to rattle their worldview when they ask what church I go to.

The bad thing about it is...I'm in Texas.

dweckl

Great story, touching, really wonderful.

You do realize that without christ you're going to hell, right?

mcgroobber

I actually had something similar happen to me today as well- I enjoy volunteering for my community's homeless shelter. They hand out lunch to homeless people and have a shower truck. So every Thursday and Friday I volunteer.

Typically these events are held at a local church. Everyone thinks I'm a god damned good christian boy. I swear, all these people nearly creamed their pants- partly because I'm young, and secondly because I'm getting involved in the community. So I was serving lunch today, and some guy next to me (He's a member of the church) points to another person across the street and says, "see that guy? That's the enemy."

I couldn't believe what I had just heard. It was like this guy was looking for any reason to call a non-believer an enemy. So I look at him and say, "What makes him the enemy?" His response was "Because he doesn't believe in god." I nearly lost my shit- reason being because I am an atheist. I told him "I don't believe in god so does that make me the enemy?" He just kinda stared blankly at me, So I said "Dude I came here to help people not to discuss religion" And this mother F insisted on following me! He wanted to preach to me the good word. I said " Listen man, I volunteer because it makes me feel good about contributing to my community. I don't want to get involved with the church, I want to get involved with people." And that was that. He couldn't believe it.

It's like people need a reason to do good things on this planet, otherwise they resort to acting like animals. I think it's fucked up, but as someone who doesn't believe in god and someone who thinks a strong community is important I find getting involved with those less fortunate is a humbling experience. I believe most people should do the same. (the difference is, I don't go around preaching my word)

uncleverestest

God must have sent you. Only explanation.

keepinithamsta

Should have told him you are God and promptly left.

GenJonesMom

You are a prime example of Good w/o God. Sometimes I think the only way the religious will be convinced that non-believers are good people is if we wash the windshields of their cars while they're in church and leave a note saying, "an atheist did this".

mobileF

great story.

I'd watch out about letting a stranger know about your friend's new place though...

ragley

I was at country store in my hometown that was owned and operated by a church pastor, his daughters were working there that day, there was a vagrant outside, passing through, trying to come up with some money to get by, I only had a couple of dollars in cash on me, so I gave him what I had and talked with him outside for a bit before going in, when inside the girls asked me who that was, because they had been watching him in the parking lot,and wanted to call the cops, I said he was just a guy needing a bit of help, no big deal, and as I was walking out, I turned back and said, you never know, he may have been Jesus.

yngwin

I am living in an officially atheist country now: China. I have never known people who are as helpful as the Chinese. They really go out of their way to help me, even without me asking for it.

Just goes to show religion has nothing to do with altruism.

kc9

Psh, as a scientologist and I see a car accident, I know I can help.

Erupts in to laughter

Intact

"If I don't believe God will help you, then who will?"

I know I'm parroting three other comments at this point, but this line is so awesome, it deserves it. I was about to type "God bless you", then stopped, realizing neither you or I are religious. Sir, +1 Karma to you.

CMYK2RGB

If I ran into a black person in Idaho, I'd would wonder why as well.

gratefulgroover

I've been there. What it comes down to is some people will assume you are religious based on what you do, how you look, or your overall demeanor, and so they feel comfortable bringing religion up.

I work in sales and I run into this all the time. I was raised in a very religious home and didn't feel like I could vocally reject Christianity for quite some time. So that, combined with clean cut hair and always wearing a smile screams, 'This must be a good Christian guy!'.

When the question arises I tell them I don't think talking about religion on the job is very professional. If they persist I tell them in a deep, demonic voice, "MY ALLEGIANCE LIES WITH CTHULHU!".

And that my friends, is the advantage to being an underpaid, non-commissioned salesman. I just don't give a fuck.

newnetmp3

Im ready for the attacks, but I myself am religious. Not over-the-top "everyone is going to hell if they don't beleive" type, just a personal thing.

I wanted to share my little side-of-the road story that happened to me just today:

I'm driving back to my house down a long just-out-of-town road and i see this big guy (not FAT, but definitely not in-shape) walking down the same westbound side that I was. He's obviously sweating his ass off (Heat index was around 105-110), was carrying a jug of which I assume was water and had a redish/burgundy towel draped around his neck. I think to myself that it is apparent that this guy has had one hell of a walk since I did not see any broken-down cars the entire time i've been on this road, so i get to the next u-turn legal break in the median and head back his way

I clear all my junk off the front seat so he would have a clutter free place to rest in my car's A/C (floorboard was a mess with miscelaneous 'havent cleaned out in over a month' type crap, but not much i could do while driving) I get back to the nearest u-turn spot again and do so. I pull over on the side of the road just behind the guy and tap the horn a couple times. He looks back and I motion to my empty passenger seat. He walks up to the passenger door as i roll the window down and I ask him if he needs a ride. He says "Man if I had run into you back at 295 (the hwy which was at least 10 miles back from where I was coming) I would, but im heading right up there where those signs are." he points to a couple roadsigns about 400ft ahead.

He then thanks me for the offer and calls me "brother" (not any religious connotation involved, btw) and asks if I have a cigarette I could spare, so i gave him one, and pulled off back on my way.

shit happens, and sometimes your too late.

Moral of the story: Be Excellent To Each Other, Regardless of Faith.

pahncrd

He should just pick himself up by his bootstraps and be rich. Lazy whiner.
/sarcasm

ReallyEvilCanine

"If I don't believe God will help you, then who will?"

Excellent line, and in the same vein as Rabbi Hillel's famous quote, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" He was religious but the sentiment is the same, basically the Golden Rule.

Measure76

I had this happen at work a couple of weeks ago. I work in a call center, and really helped out a girl with her medical bill, really helped her get everything taken care of.

At the end of the call "I hear a certain tone in your voice. You must be religious. Are you?"

"No ma'am, actually I'm an atheist"

"Ok well I'll pray for you anyway bye I'll pray for you bye I'll pray for you bye!"

keikkashisquare

What is wrong with america? You help somebody and they ask if you are religious.

MissPiecey

Good for you! That guy must have been on really hard times to end up in Idaho. When I lived in northern Idaho, there were only 2 black people in my Junior High. Not exactly a diverse, welcoming area.

peener

did he help with the move?

baconated

"Please let me help, I would love to help move, it is the only way I can repay you."

"You can repay me by doing this same thing to someone else."

mosscollection

I can't lie, the whole time I was reading this story I was waiting for the part where you got robbed.

gilker

That reminds me of a story my mother-in-law likes to tell about how she had car problems while driving in Houston. Several Latino boys helped her with her car and didn't ask for any reward.

Her take on the incident: God sent angels to help her. (And no, she wasn't speaking metaphorically. She truly believes that it is more likely that an all-powerful being sent supernatural agents to give her a hand than it was that some human beings on the street would help her.)

baraka1408

Similar thing happened to me. I saw two older ladies with kids stranded on the side of the road, and instead of spending the $20 I had in my pocket on some movies like I planned, I told them to stay put. Went back home (2 mins away) and got my gas can, went to the store, and returned to them with a filled up can. Felt good doing that knowing I don't believe in god, or miracles, or any of that nonsense. I just saw someone who needed help. I need to be like that more often.

Universus

Reminds me of that futurama episode.

"If you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all."

sparklecakes

I live in Idaho, let's be friends.

funetical

Can aks you a question? If he was some sort of murderer running from the cops, who ultimately ends up running over people with his car, due to the gas you provided him with, does that make you a bad person? Would it negate the generosity, or worse make you responsible for murder?

Good, bad, whose to say? Ultimately the greatest thing you did was not purchase Reddit gold.

tzara

This post just made me realize how awesome reddit is. srsly.

theredsea00

I believe there are millions, if not billions of spirit beings and dimensional travelers that exist. I believe some bring your life good things, others bad, many are neutral. I believe fate is real and many of our accomplishments and failures are influenced by these beings. I don't believe in morality, and I don't know what these beings believe in.

I cannot empirically prove they exist. I can only offer anecdotal "evidence". I try to teach my friends what I believe and a few have begun to believe themselves. One friend saw a shadow person. I saw a UFO. We all experience synchronicity and associated time prompt phenomenon.

Our local ghost hunting society has images and audio of voices from haunted sites. I've been in rooms with hundreds of GOOD honest folks talking about their ghost experiences. Are they are all delusional? No. I can read people well, especially elderly folk who spent their lives following the law and doing the "right" thing (societal definition). These are quality folk who very much believe it is wrong to lie. I've spoken with couple after couple about their experiences.

I guess we all want others to believe what we believe, atheists too.

In my opinion, anecdotal evidence often comes before the technological capability to experiment. Centuries from now, we might communicate with these beings via technology. Scientists have such a raging hard on for atheism that scientists that do try to study these fields, are laughed out of their careers, unless their motives are deconfirmation bias.

Dalton ran over anyone who believed that atoms could not be taken apart, broken down. BZZZT! Wrong Dalton. -->IT IS MY OPINION that there are many "Daltons" around now. Humans are loathe to part with their belief systems, even in the face of contrary evidence.

From my perspective, there are mountains of observations to warrant a hypothesis that there is a supernatural. To follow this path as a scientist is like a hipster not wearing ironic clothing. BANISHMENT!

outlookgrim

Its pretty sad when its just assumed that the only reason to help others is because your religious. You hit the nail on the head when you said "If I don't believe God will help you, then who will?"

electricAcolyte

This page is like the best thing ever. The best mix of genuineness and sarcasm. Thank you all for existing, I enjoy our interactions. [8]

benburleson

I feel bad asking, but did he help you move?

BTW - My family has a hard time understanding that it scares me when people only do nice things because they're afraid of god.

Scalamanga1223

Good man. In America, religious is synonymous with "good". That's bullshit, thank you for spreading the word.

Shadow14l

I am religious and I would respond the same way. I don't do nice things because of my religion. I do them because it's the right thing to do. The worst thing I hate is that if a very nice person dislikes me.

But then again,

VeryLittle

Helpin a brothah out:

God: 0, Geekweed: 1.

Nuff said.

petemc123

Did you take him up on the offer of help with the move? If you did you would come out up on the deal as moving is a fucking bitch

Tofuik

I helped a hitchhiker when I was evacuating for Gustav a while back. It felt good to help someone get out of the way of a major storm. I don't think religion really came up, he was more of a old hippy. We just talked about the incoming storm and how crazy nature can be.

I later found out that karma doesn't exist when my rent house practically disappeared in the storm. Leaving me with a pile of rubble and the few things I packed when I evacuated. Never doubt that a hurricane can fuck your world and bring all the things you don't want to lose when you evacuate a place. At least now I live a uncluttered life.

C_IsForCookie

The tl;dr is a good description but there's so much more. He was very kind as well and very grateful. I may not believe in god, but I do believe in good people, and I have faith in humanity and the balance our planet has. Good for you, sir. You did a great thing, I just hope more will do the same. It's just upsetting when some people take advantage. =\

mareacaspica

I always get this sort of response when I help people. The classic response in my country is something in the lines of "god help you". It's great to reply "no thanks, I don't believe in god". Feels good man

mountsirius

Great story! And it's nice hearing of a fellow atheist in Idaho.

BigTortoise

Atheists ought to be more likely to help people. All religious people will do is pray for the poor man. And praying to a fairy tale won't do any good

nonpareilpearl

"If I don't believe God will help you, then who will?"

This would be an awesome slogan for an atheist volunteer organization or something.

MilkSteak

Well shit, don't leave us hanging. How did the move go?

between2

Thanks for being a good guy!

FRASHN

Awesome

EntropysChild

Bravo!

kook321

Hey geekweed, could you update us how your night went

awkook

This is why I love reddit. People like you telling your awesome stories. I wish everyone in the world was as good as reddit

jesusjones11

inb4 it's all a story and you robbed blind.

againster

I say, "Yes. I am an ordained minister of the Church of the SubGenius. Hail Bob, Slack it and Slack me. Would you like a pamphlet?"

luclablanc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvdf5n-zI14

ERRDAYIMHUSTLIN

U gon get raped.

Kardlonoc

Honestly these stories remind me of "I did this because I was a good christain and i sure showed them". They are just getting tiresome, I don't want to hear it every time you do a nice deed and you are a atheist that's just to be expected out of everybody.

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