Atheists Discuss Their Outlook, Relationships

April 4, 2009

Author: Holly Yan

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-atheists_04met.ART.State.Edition1.4a53fd0.html

For 35 years, Terry McDonald was a devout Catholic, going to Catholic schools and participating in the parish council. Now he's recognized as something that confuses and even frightens some – he's an atheist.

"When you tell someone you're not a theist, it's like saying I'm taking the issue that is closest to them and discrediting it," said McDonald, chairman of Metroplex Atheists.

The stigma attached to atheism, be it perceived or real, is part of what McDonald is trying to quell.

"We'd like to show Christians we don't have horns and a tail," McDonald said. "We're just normal people."

This week, the Metroplex Atheists, along with other nonreligious groups, erected billboards in Dallas and Fort Worth to let other nonbelievers know they have company.

"Don't believe in God? You are not alone," the billboards read.

According to a survey by The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 1.6 percent of respondents classified themselves as atheists, and 16.1 percent were "unaffiliated."

McDonald said he's studied world religions extensively and still has strong Christian friends.

"I find it interesting what people believe. I find it fascinating," he said.

So do others.

'Different from me'

When Pastor Derward Richardson co-founded Grand Prairie's Summit Baptist Church about two years ago, he envisioned a church that was small enough to be intimate but open enough to listen to differing beliefs.

He invited McDonald to speak at a public atheist/Christian dialogue. About 75 people turned out one Saturday night to hear the discussion.