Christians Beware: You are only 12 Questions away from being an atheist.

Creative Strategy #12: Ask the hard questions.

1. What is a cross?

   It is a torture device. And it is a warning. Specifically, it was the punishment for sedition, and Christ’s cross was placed near the Town Gate, so that everyone could see how Rome dealt with enemies of the state.

2. How did a torture device become a symbol of Love?

   The lamb lies down voluntarily? Christ lays down his life for us.

   The ultimate sacrifice.

3. What is sacrifice?

   It is an ancient practice usually involving killing of animals or people in order to appease an angry god. Blood magic.

4. How does that work, exactly?

   I have not a fucking clue.

5. How many resurrections have you seen?

   None. See? It isn’t that hard.

6. Why is cannibalism ok?

   It’s only a metaphorical cannabalism.

7. Why is metaphorical cannabalism OK?

   I have not a fucking clue.

8. What is sin?

   I used to think it was black stuff like a stain. Anyway because of

   this black stuff, we are punished. By threats of torture.

9. Why is hell a thing?

   You mean: What psychopath creates an eternal torture chamber?

   I have not a fucking clue.

10. How many miracles have you seen?

    Me, too.

11. Why is the first commandment so Insecure?

    “Honestly. I’m The God. Me. Nobody else.”

    See what I mean? That was his first shot off the Mountain?

12. What if it is all a lie? Everything. All of it.

    What if we don’t deserve eternal torture?

    What if “the hot place” proved a very effective scary story to tell children.

    And it got out of hand. When a religion runs out of ideas it says: Trust me.

    The world isn’t burning. You are being punished for being bad. Why?

    Because you are depraved. God fixed that: Killed his son. Wiped the slate clean.

    How does that work exactly? Not important. You get eternity and happiness. And your enemies suffer eternally.

    It does sound really stupid when you put it like that, doesn't it?

    But it is a scary story. And scary stories can motivate scared people to do scary things—like mob the Capitol. Or worship a religion based on nonsensical blood magic. Or decree women control their bodies in only some states.

—Patrick O’Leary