The Atheist and the Bear

An atheist was walking through the woods one day admiring all that evolution had created. "What majestic trees! What a powerful river! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself. As he was walking along side the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him.

Turning to look, he saw an 8 ft. grizzly bear beginning to charge toward him. He ran as fast as he could down the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw the bear was rapidly closing on him. Somehow he ran even faster, so scared that tears came to his eyes. He looked again and the bear was even closer. Heart pounding in his chest, he tried to run faster yet. But alas, he tripped and fell to the ground. As he rolled over to pick himself up the bear was right over him, reaching for him with it's left paw and raising it's right paw to strike him.

"OH MY GOD!"

Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving.

As a brilliant light shone upon the man a thunderous voice came from all around. "You Deny My Existence For All These Years, Teach Others That I Don"t Exist; And Even Credit Creation To Some Cosmic Accident. Do You Expect Me To Help You Out Of This Predicament? Am I To Count You As A Believer?"

As difficult as it was the atheist looked directly into the light and said "It would be hypocritical to ask to be a Christian after all these years, but perhaps you could make the bear a Christian?"

"Very Well", said The Voice.

The light went out. The river ran. The sounds of the forest resumed .... and the bear dropped down on his knees, brought both paws together, bowed his head and spoke: "Lord, thank Thee for this food which I am about to receive."