How to Not Help the World

A weekly commentary by Hemant Mehta, adapted from his blog "The Friendly Atheist."

For HumanistNetworkNews.org
Jan. 20, 2010

1) Provide the U.S. military with Jesus Rifles:

Coded references to New Testament Bible passages about Jesus Christ are inscribed on high-powered rifle sights provided to the United States military by Trijicon, a Michigan-based company, says an ABC News investigation.

The sights are used by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the training of Iraqi and Afghan soldiers. Trijicon, who says it is a "leader in the design and manufacture of high quality, innovative sighting systems," landed a $660 million multi-year contract to provide up to 800,000 sights to the Marine Corps, as well as additional contracts to provide sights for the U.S. Army.

Yep… not a holy war at all…

2) Send Bibles–solar-powered audible Bibles—to Haiti:

Called the "Proclaimer," the audio Bible delivers "digital quality," and is designed for "poor and illiterate people," the Faith Comes By Hearing group said.

With tens of thousands of Port-au-Prince residents living outdoors because their homes have collapsed or they fear aftershocks from last week's quake, Faith Comes By Hearing thinks the audio Bible can bring them the "hope and comfort that comes from knowing God has not forgotten them through this tragedy."  

They don't need books. They don't need false hope. They need food and water and medical supplies and shelter and (tangible) protection.

3) Donate your tongue to God so you can have a baby:

A childless Indian man sliced off his tongue as an offering to the god Shiva in the hope of becoming a father. Police said 28-year-old Mukesh Kumar chopped off his tongue with a razor blade at a temple dedicated to the Hindu god in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Yet another reason for comprehensive sex education everywhere.

About Hemant Mehta, The Friendly Atheist

(Hemant Mehta is the Chair of the Secular Student Alliance (SSA) Board of Directors. He has worked with the Center for Inquiry and is also an SSA representative to the Secular Coalition for America. Hemant received national attention, including being featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, for his work as the "eBay Atheist." Hemant's blog can be read at FriendlyAtheist.com and his book "I Sold My Soul on eBay" (WaterBrook Press) is now in bookstores everywhere. He currently works as a high school math teacher in the suburbs of Chicago.)