Today I went public with my atheism. At the World Religions Conference at the local university I went onstage with the Humanist/atheist/freethinker choir to sing "I want to build the world a home." This followed Dan Barker's speech on no-god.

At break I got to talking with a Mennonite minister (black car as opposed to horse and buggy) who was interested to know how I got from horse and buggy Mennonite to singing with the humanist group. He was well-read, open-minded, and very level-headed. For the first time in my life I had the opportunity to discuss in depth my deep issues and questions from a Mennonite perspective.

We looked at scripture proofs used by Mennonites and talked about the various Mennonite denominations. For a change I did not have to educate my audience. We must have talked at least an hour and a half. The entire discussion may have lasted a good two hours. For the last part, two other atheists joined us. They filled in my absolute weakness in science.

And that is where the Mennonite dug in his heals. He is a young earth creationist and there was no reasoning with him on this. Like most fundamentalists he thinks scientists have preconceived notions and that they set out to prove their notions and that truth has nothing to do with it. The other two explained to him the benefits of science of which he takes advantage on a daily basis; it did no good. I went so far as to try and play mediator because I thought perhaps I understand both the Mennonite and mainstream perspectives. But the atheists said they know the YEC Christian position, and the Mennonite did not seem to need anyone's help.

I made no secret of the fact that I was firmly on the side of the atheists where it concerns science. In the end, by the time we parted, I felt like the Mennonite no longer considered me a friend. He shook hands with the other two but not with me. He barely acknowledged our parting.

Being on the ExChristian forums, and on William Lane Craig's forums, helped prepare me for the discussion with him. I do not regret any of it. I had supper at a nearby restaurant with a lot of the others of our group and I felt like these are the people to whom I belong--the Christian mindset simply does not fit me. Much as I like the culture, there is no way I can go back to the tortured mindset and somehow, I am glad that the world now knows my position. Even if it means losing the friendship of some good people; there are many other good people out there.