A group of atheists as part of the Rekindle Reason group recently made headlines when they partook in a movement that involved trading cookies for souls. The group did so as a way to make people think about whether or not a soul is real, and come to find out many people took interest in trading theirs for delicious confections.
Would you trade your soul for a cookie? The likelihood of even having a soul is insanely slim, so why not reward yourself with something that's tangible and delicious? Members of Rekindle Reason set up shop in an area at Locust Walk where they offered strangers with the public free cookies for their souls.
"The point of making a Faustian bargain for a cookie is that most people have never really thought about whether they have a soul. We're trying to get people to think," said Emmett Wynn, the co-founder of the group.
It's reported that it was a peaceful event that many people participated in with smiles. However there was one occurrence of someone arguing with the atheists over their lack of beliefs. It's more surprising that it was only one person who made a scene, actually. So it's good to know that more people in the public, at least in this region, are becoming more accepting.
The same can't be said for other communities in the United States which harbor actual hatred against those who do not believe in deities. Just look at Jessica Ahlquist for an example. The 16-year-old girl still gets death threats from people in her own hometown as well as around the country, simply because she's an atheist and a patriot who wants the Constitution to be defended.
It certainly seems like all of those people need to just trade their ugly souls for cookies and be done with them.
Crime analyst and profiler Chelsea Hoffman can be found on The Huffington Post, Chelsea Hoffman: Case to Case and many other outlets. Follow @TheRealChelseaH on Twitter or click here to contact Chelsea directly.
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Comments: 36
Hmm....Seems rather...hypocritical to me.. Just my personal opinion. With all do respect.
And how are atheists "forcing" anything by simply doing the same, very same, things that religionists do when they try to ..erhm.. "spread the good word." ??
I didn't miss any point. I think you're putting your faith on a pedestal to the point that you're offended at atheists doing the same thing religions do to spread the word.
That's all. Atheists holding this event in the public square offering to the public who can either accept or move on ... isnt "forcing" a belief. It's offering the opportunity to think freely. Nobody *has* to. But they all can.
I also think it's stupid to ask someone to trade his soul for a cookie, especially if you don't think there is any soul to trade.
"The group did so as a way to make people think about whether or not a soul is real, and come to find out many people took interest in trading theirs for delicious confections." If I hadn't been on Gather this week, I'd honestly say that's the most idiotic thing I've heard all week, but it does have contenders. Delicious confections? They were only chocolate chip cookies for pete's sake. How seriously did you people take this, anyway? It's kind of humorous when I start to think about it.
:) I think people who are so angry and negative about this. Are threatened. Oh well. I also think the point flies over some peoples' heads. Which is more of the point being proven by those who do get it and grasp it well.
Chocolate chip cookies are delicious. Don't be a cookie grinch.
So.. yeah. :) delicious.
idiotic like when churches hand out candies with cards inviting you to join t heir fellowships? with those idiotic candies...
I'd honestly say that's the most idiotic thing I've heard all week, but it does have contenders. Delicious confections? They were only chocolate chip cookies for pete's sake. How seriously did you people take this, anyway? It's kind of humorous when I start to think about it.
.. :) That looks a little different from what you just said you said..
free thinking doesn't need extravagance to garner attention. It isn't like religion where lies of golden-paved streets and other nonsensical items are offered to those who "believe" in something. It doesn't need to offer anything at all but a spark of thought. A free delicious cookie and the offer of intellectual debate is truly all that was needed at this event. :) you may find that silly, but in actuality, it was simplistically all that was needed.
"free thinking" doesn't have to try has hard as religion ;) I wonder why that is....
Missed that part, huh?
For a Christian or anyone who believes they have a soul and values it, it goes without saying that to trade it for a cookie is ridiculous. You don't even have any way of knowing whether or not they gave those cookies away to other atheists. I think the whole thing is funny and idiotic, but happy cookie hostessing, should you decide to offer your help in the future.
"I also think it's stupid to ask someone to trade his soul for a cookie, especially if you don't think there is any soul to trade." - -
Yeah, and you continue to miss the point ; ) Of course they don't believe in it. The invitation was to discuss the belief or lack of belief in souls with others. How hard is that to really grasp? The "cookie for a soul" was a JOKE, to get the conversation started.Just how far did this fly over your head?
From what I heard, a few "christians" even questioned the belief while they were there. Interesting stuff. Might've won a few converts back to the world of reason. Studies have shown an increase in people who identify as being atheist or agnostic, and it might be little things like these (along with good education in science and logic) are helping in that endeavor.
Try breadcrumbs next time and see how that works. You might want to do a study.
If that's what you'd like to think, whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Just like religion!
lol
wow.. thanks for further proving my points...
Then you say not influencing, but you don't like atheists enticing people with cookies.... but religions do it far worse on a massive scale..with flat-out lies instead of a tangible item that the person can enjoy..
If you want to have a conversation, at least try to be truthful and say it like it is instead of saying you don't like atheists doing the very same thing that religions do... but with actual tangible items and the offer to THINK instead of joining a church, group or cult??
That's all I'm saying. If you're strong in whatever belief it is you have, you wouldnt be offended by atheists simply doing something to spread the word of logic.