Arkansas...State #22

Hi all,
It is Tuesday afternoon and we are sitting in San Francisco Bread Co. in Conway, Arkansas blogging before we go to dinner with our friends Hope and John.

We got some great footage of downtown Conway and had an intriguing interview with a Political Science major named Chris on the campus of University of Central Arkansas. He was so well spoken and incredibly passionate about making a difference in his world. He calls himself an atheist and said that the reason he came to that belief was after he was raised in a moderate Southern Baptist home, while he was in the 6th grade, he made a conscious decision based on his observations of the Christians around him that there was more bad to be done by Christianity than good and that the Christians that he knew did not live the way that Christ said to live so why be restricted by something that man made up. He believes that most religious people use their religion to excuse their need to make a difference here because of their extreme focus on the afterlife. I asked him what was his motivation to do good things in light of his belief that there is nothing after this life for him, and he said that because he only has one shot, he wants to make it count and that he is here to help make this world a better place. His buzz word was "positive" and he is looking at going out and doing politics after some time spent in the Peace Corp. He believes that people can work together to create good and that no God is needed for that to occur. He is not against others believing in God, he just thinks that they are making a mistake, but he judges people not on the basis of their professed beliefs but on their actions. He believes that people, no matter their religion, their political affiliation, or their nationality, can come together and make the world a better place.

Chris, if you are reading this, please get back with us. We didn't get your contact info and we want to keep the conversation going.

We are heading to Missouri tomorrow on our way to Indianapolis. We are passing through Memphis, so if we happen to have an Elvis sighting, we'll be sure to stop him and ask the question...we'll let you know how it turns out. Have a great evening and let us hear from you.

Sweet dreams,
Princess Angela