The Atheist and the Bear

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods . . .

What majestic trees!

What powerful rivers!

What beautiful animals!" he said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes
behind him. He turned to look; and there was a huge grizzly bear rushing

towards him. He turned and ran as fast as he could up the path. He
looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on him.

Not seeing the path dip, he tripped and fell. Rolling over he saw the bear
right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his
right paw to strike him. At that instant the atheist cried out: "Oh my
God!..."

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

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky:
"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 expect me to help you
out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

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

"Very well," said the voice.

The light went out.

The sounds of the forest resumed.

The bear dropped to his haunches, brought both paws together, bowed
his head and spoke:

"Lord, bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy bounty,
through Christ our Lord. Amen."