Letter to the Editor - Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Thursday, September 19, 2002

Atheists and believers aren't so different

Corky Trinidad insulted atheists and other non-believers with his cartoon depicting me in a foxhole, praying (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 6). While Corky's cartoons are normally right on the money, this time he missed the mark by a mile. I offer the following in rebuttal.
Here is a true story of an atheist inducted into the Army:

Army: "What do you want on your dog tags, soldier: Protestant, Catholic, or Jew?"

Atheist: "None. I'm an atheist."

Army: "If you are wounded in battle, who should we call: a minister, a priest or a rabbi?"

Atheist: "Call a medic!"

God-believers who are injured in battle are always evacuated to aid stations or field hospitals; they are never taken to churches. I guess faith only goes so far when one is in real danger.

Just one time in my life I'd like to see a God-believer actually prove he trusts in God. Perhaps driver's licenses should have an option: "If injured, take victim to: 1) church, or 2) hospital." How many God-believers, I wonder, would be willing to select "church?" Atheists, on the other hand, consistently prove their trust in science and reason. I'll take a doctor over a minister every time.

Mitchell Kahle