In that context--an atheist, invited to address a group of believers--what would you propose should be read? I would like to develop a database of relatively short pieces (there are some wonderful books out there, but they are clearly too long a form for the current situation) that anyone could have access to, to augment their own experience in representing atheists while addressing religious groups.I'm of course partial to the anarchists, but I'll have to think about which specific pieces would be suitable for believers.... The talk by Alan Sokal I posted about here might be worthy.
So I ask--what essays have moved you? What stories would you want to share? Don't limit this to well-known writers (but don't neglect them!); don't limit this to positive stories (or to negative!); don't limit this to whitewashed or bowdlerized stories, if the unvarnished truth is what moved you; the whole point is to have a collection of real atheist voices, that anyone could draw upon to demonstrate "what atheists believe" or "who atheists are". Be specific--not just "X is always worth reading", but rather "this particular essay by X is perfect."
Speaking of poets, Adrienne Pine of Quotha is writing Field Notes Poetry. Here's an example:
workI love the idea and the poems.
A young man from a bad neighborhood
a friend of C's
didn't have the money to remove his tattoos
so he found a cheap plastic surgeon
had his skin cut off last week
wrists, belly, neck
so he could apply for a job at a supermarket
he didn't get the job
but he says it's healing alright.
Thanks, SC!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting some really great stuff, and as I get it, I have to keep re-thinking what it is I am really after. So, for now, I am casting a really big net, and seeing what all I get. The current thought is of pieces that, if spoken, would be no more than five minutes each. Sort of a Vagina Monologues, but atheist stories. I've seen some really moving stories, some funny ones, sad ones... but I get the feeling I have barely (or not even) scratched the surface.