10 Questions with an Atheist: The Postman
**Part of the 10 Questions with an Atheist series.**
I have some good news. And I have some bad news.
First the bad news…
I was this close [] to an interview with Gawd Almighty.
However, I was told, at the last minute that Gawd often drinks with other deities, therefore, he felt awkward being labeled an “atheist.”
So, I got the next best thing–The Postman–Gawd’s personal messenger.
Basically, The Postman runs a blog called Gone Fishin’: Postcards from God where he publishes letters from Gawd…a being who’s been absent from “work for the past several jagillion years,” yet still manages to read the newspapers or peruse the “Interwebs.”
And so it’s when Gawd scans the headlines that he decides to write a “letter” and take humans to task for misunderstanding him.
A letter, I assume, the Postman is obligated to publish.
Regardless, The Postman is real. By that, I mean, he puts on his shoes the same way you and I do. He eats cereal. Probably flips through magazines.
In addition, he has a heart. And feelings. And beliefs…that might differ from yours…which makes him a good target for the 10 Questions with an Atheist blog series. That’s why he’s here. And that’s why he answered the following questions. So, without further delay, meet The Postman.
1. How would you describe yourself: atheist, agnostic or skeptic? Explain.
My knee-jerk reaction to this question was “Atheist. Full stop.”, but it would be much more accurate to say that I am all three. I’m skeptical, not just of deities, but all manner of woo. ”Alternative” medicine and astrology, for instance. I’m agnostic because there’s no way anyone can definitively prove or disprove some form of deity. I’m an atheist because evidence and experience point quite strongly toward an absence of supernatural beings.
Most often, though, I self-identify as an actor and/or a writer, not an atheist. I am, like most atheists, a [fill in the blank], who happens to not believe in gods, elves, tooth fairies or the great Pumpkin.
2. When did you know you were an atheist? Did it scare you or was it a non-issue?
Actually, I really didn’t think about it beyond noting that I didn’t much like how religion is so stifling. I come from a quite religious family and, in fact, spent my first year of college at a Christian university which shall remain nameless. Once I got out of there, I pushed it from my mind.
Years later, I was dating a recovering alcoholic and we got into a discussion of the “higher power” concept that AA is so fond of. She pressed me for my religious views and I responded as I had for years that I was an agnostic. She felt that the answer was a cop-out and called me on it. As a result, I began to actually put some thought into it. Eventually, I realized that I was, in fact, an atheist.
I don’t want to say that it scared me, but because of my upbringing, there were times that I would get an unpleasant frisson over the superstitious thought that Someone was listening to me scoff.
3. Ever suffer persecution as an atheist?
Unless you count a look of horror in my mother’s eyes when she found out, (in the middle of Notre Dame Cathedral–who says I don’t have a sense of the theatrical?)–then, no. Not at all.
Annoyance? Quite often…but never persecution.
4. What do you want to accomplish with your life?
Oh, you know. Like everyone, I want to be wildly rich and famous… er… I mean, well-respected in my chosen profession and perhaps raise a little Postperson.
5. Who are your heroes? Why?
Phrew! Where do you start? Without giving you a long and tedious list, my rule-of-thumb is: People who speak truth to power, people who invent and discover and writers who make language their b*tch, (from Wodehouse to Kerouac).
6. What would you like to accomplish with your blog?
The flip answer is, “If I can make one person laugh at the idea of an Intelligent Designer, my work is done.” The serious answer is, “Ditto.”
7. What’s your favorite part about being an atheist?
The chocolate-covered coffee beans? Beyond that, probably the freedom from a sense that someone is peeking over my shoulder all the time and the relief that I don’t have to believe things that I find to be, frankly, unbelievable.
8. Are there any Christian concepts that you respect?
The Golden Rule; although I’d bet it was around long before Christianity.
9. Does it irritate you when Christians try to share their faith with you?
Immensely. Seriously, just about as much as poking a fork into an exposed cavity while rolling through a briar patch in lemon-juice-soaked underpants.
But as a result, I’m pretty careful not to go around spouting, “Blah, blah Atheist this and blah, blah Atheist that.” Outside of blogging, I talk about it with a few close friends, but that’s usually in the context of, “How’s the blog going?” Even when people ask me about religion or lack thereof, I usually don’t go beyond a statement of disbelief.
In fact, I’m so sweet-tempered, (if I do say so myself), that I read something at a friend’s wedding recently that mentioned God. I felt silly and slightly hypocritical, but not enough to dictate what someone else has read at their wedding. On the other hand… if someone starts proselytizing at me, I consider them fair game and will mercilessly ridicule them.
10. Were you ever a Christian? Would you go back?
I was and I wouldn’t.
Postman, it was a delight. I appreciate your honest, fun answers and look forward to hearing what others think.
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23 Comments to 10 Questions with an Atheist: The Postman
Postman,
Would you consider yourself an Atheist evangelist? I mean, just with your website at least.
Don,
Phrew! You obviously didn’t mean it to be, but that’s a loaded question. The word “evangelist” carries a lot of baggage. It’s usually considered some fiery preacher of the gospels and I don’t have a gospel to preach.
On the other hand, if I recall, the word is also used to mean a sort of vocal advocate of something. In that sense, you could say that I am an evangelist within the confines of my blog.
But I’m not really fond of the word. Is there a word that means “Amusing fellow who doesn’t believe in gods”? If so, I’d like people to call me that.
[...] quit screwing around with brand loyalists and deliver mail [stop] hurry [stop] have letter to send [stop] wish you were here [stop] [...]
I promise, you, I did not mean it to be a loaded question. I actually “shot from the hip” on that one.
I will work on inventing or finding a word that means “Amusing fellow who doesn’t believe in gods.” But no promises!
Don,
Oh, I knew you didn’t mean it to be. As Yunshui noted on my blog, what Demian is doing here is quite nice; having a place where Christians and atheists can engage civilly.
For “AF who DBiG”, perhaps we can go with “woobegone”. It can be used as an adjective or a noun. I’ve always thought “Lake Woobegone” would be a catchy name for a skeptical blog.
“woobegone.” Like, I think my woo-be-gone. Where did my woo go? I guess it be gone.
I like it. It rolls off the tongue.
I also appreciate what Demian is doing on his site too. I do think it is funny or ironic (or both) that his name is that of the little guy in the movie The Omen, but he fights for the other team…
You say “fights for the other team”, and I think I know what you mean, but any atheist will consider everyone who believes in supernatural beings to be on the same team.
Maybe it’s more like every type of religion is a different curling team and we atheists are trying to get in a little ice-skating and wondering why all of these people with brooms are getting in the way.
Is there a word that means “Amusing fellow who doesn’t believe in gods”? If so, I’d like people to call me that.
I think the word you’re looking for is, “Postman”. 
Good catch Demian, Postie always gives good value. I mean 36p next day anywhere in the country? Beat that!
Good stuff. I always enjoy hearing people discuss their beliefs without doing it in a manner that is demeaning to ones contrary to theirs.
Kudos.
Demian FarnworthMay 6, 2009
So “Demian”, as in the novel by Herman Hesse, circa 1919. Great thing is I have my own Wikipedia page…and I’m not even a celebrity.
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Naming me Demian was my dad’s idea. I was born in 72, when Hesse was hot. Dad was hot on Hesse, so wanted to name all his kids after Hesse books. He was inches from inking my sisters birth certificate with the name “Siddhartha” before my mom put the kabosh on it.
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None of this, I have to point out, stopped anyone from trying to look for 666 on my scalp as a youngster. I still get that today. It’s really, really sad. 
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You know, with all the warm and fuzzies going on here, I think we should all get together and have a fundraising event with Christian’s trying to curl while atheists try to skate. I am marginally serious.
“Sidhartha”, admittedly, would have been a tough one to grow up with in the US, but naming kids after literary characters and/or authors is something I like. It’s a toss-up wether Postboy will be named Jack Kerouc Postman or Harry Flashman Postman.
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Your fundraising idea will only work for the crowd if we do it using hockey rules. The public will want to see body-checking. Actually, I tend to think of myself as a little more hard-line than I’m coming across here. Maybe I should have answered every question a la Dan Aykroyd – “Demian, you ignorant slut…”
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Yunshui suggested Phillychief as a good atheist to interview. Not so warm & fuzzy, but definitely worth a read.
Demian FarnworthMay 6, 2009
Yes, I noticed that tip from Yunshui…I’ve got two open slots [I'm gunnin' for a total of 10 interviews for this season], so maybe he’ll do the last one…
JamesMay 6, 2009
FWIW Postman, “evangelist” seems to be shedding the connotations and making a return to its original generic meaning thanks to a management/marketing meme in the IT world in recent years. I say this because I keep seeing a lot of these “Technology evangelists” around the interwebs who’s job it is to promote the software development framework of the company they work for.
Having said that, many of them do so with religious fervour so maybe the connotations haven’t changed after all.
I’d say that’s probably an unfortunate choice of nomenclature, James. At least when I hear it, I imagine wild-eyed, software PR-flacks coming inexorably at me saying, “Do you have a personal relationship with Company X?!” “Have you been washed in the code of The Lamb(TM)?!” Or, “Do you have a minute? Could I talk to you about the Good News of Linux?!”
I steer clear of applying the word evangelical to myself. It’s not my goal to un-save anybody. I guess I just want to have a voice. I want to practice my freedoms, which were mildly denied to me growing up as an evangelical christian.
Demian FarnworthMay 6, 2009
Robert, I can appreciate that. You always got a voice here.
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Eh Postman…I’m surprised no one’s asked. It’s been eating away at me. How much does God pay you? HOW does he pay you?
JamesMay 6, 2009
I’m not really sure whether I want to unsave people, I guess I decide on a case-by-case basis. E.g. if someone has a clear emotional need for religion and it’s obvious that without it they’d be emotionally worse off, then I’d leave it alone, even if they try to convert me.
As for God making payments, I guess the best payment would be accurate future predictions like stock prices or results you can gamble on.
It’s easier for god as he doesn’t have to convert to the current currency and it has value no matter where you are geographically.
Demian FarnworthMay 6, 2009
That’s interesting James…cause as an “evangelical,” sharing the Gospel is part of my identity…but I guess for an atheist, it’s a personal choice. There’s no command to evangelize, deconvert, that sort of thing. Nice benny, I suppose.
Is there a word that means: “Amusing fellow who doesn’t believe in gods”? Yes, there is: UnterhaltendergefährtenichtGötterglaubt.
Robert, Demian, James,
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Unsave/unshmave. I’d be happy if I could just get people to quit digging their heels in against science and to stop knocking on my door asking if I’ve heard the Good News(TM).
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Demian,
.
I’m on the same salary plan as the Angel’s Union. He’s got certain tapes that He doesn’t WANT to release…
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(((Billy))),
.
I don’t know what you think goes on between Gawd and me, but when I ran your word through Babelfish it gave me this translation: Maintain-companion-not-God-believed.
Correct me if I’m wrong, here, but that looks a lot like “Kept-Atheist” to me.
JamesMay 7, 2009
Demian,
sharing the Gospel is part of my identity
There’s one reason (treating religion as a meme) that I believe Christianity has flourished over the centuries, if that’s the way Christians feel about spreading it. That and of course the political help e.g. Constantine.
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And I would add to my unsave/save comment that I think a large part of me does want more of the world to be free from religion, so of course that comes into it.
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Depends on the religion too, for example I see fundamentalist Islam (e.g. the Taliban) as absolute poison, based on violence and oppression and would welcome its end.
Demian FarnworthMay 8, 2009
James, I hear what you’re saying, but Constantine’s endorsement is debatable. And don’t forget that Christianity spread in the face of 300 years of rabid persecution before that. If anything, Constantine’s endorsement made everyone a Christian [diluting it], which would be like Obama declaring all US citizens Christians.
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I’m with you: “a large part of me does want more of the world free from religion.”
JamesMay 8, 2009
Rabid persecution and rabid evangelism (see Acts!).
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And damn, I left myself open there with the religion comment. I’d momentarily forgotten that Christians don’t see Christianity as a religion!
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May 6, 2009