[capnhowdy]

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. "What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself.

As he continued walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning to look, he saw a seven-foot grizzly charging towards him. He began running as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that the bear was closing in on him. Although his heart was pumping frantically, he tried to run even faster.

Then he tripped and fell to the ground. As he rolled over to pick himself up, he saw the bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him. At that instant the atheist cried out, "Oh my God . . ."

Time stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.

It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out of the sky saying, "You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you now expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light and said, "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps you could make the BEAR a Christian?"

"Very well," said the voice.

The light went out, and the sounds of the forest resumed.

Then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head, and spoke, "Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful. Amen."