19 Jan 2009 @ 5:50 PM 
 

Fun with Atheism

 

One of the things I’ve been able to do this year is teach robotics, using the Lego MindStorms NXT system, at the Academy for Science and Design chartered public school, in Merrimack, New Hampshire. I volunteer two mornings a week, and teach two different student groups, numbering about 10 each. Until December, the program focused on FIRST LEGO League, in which we were competing. Since then we have taken up building robots for an intramural robot Sumo competition.

A few weeks ago, we mentioned a requirement of ethical behavior in class. One of the kids pondered, “Why should I care about ethics?”

“Because God requires it,” I replied. (Just because I’m working in a public school, there is no reason to pretend I’m not a Christ-follower. I don’t beat them over the head with it—indeed, it hardly ever comes up—but it is the foundation for my moral beliefs, including why we need to behave in an ethical manner.)

“But I’m an atheist,” claimed the student, “so that doesn’t apply to me.”

“Well, then,” I suggested, “The FLL program requires it; your school requires it; and this class requires it. Will that suffice?”

A few moments later I asked the student, “So, you’re an atheist? Really?”

“Yes.”

“Honest to God?”

“Ye—waaaaaaaaiiiiiiiit a minute.”

We’re still laughing about it.

Tags Categories: Doug, Family Members, Humor, Religion/Church, Technology Posted By: LegoDoug
Last Edit: 19 Jan 2009 @ 05 50 PM

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Responses to this post » (3 Total)

 
  1. Puneet Singh Lamba says:
    January 19, 2009 at 20:26

    Funny! Doug, thanks for sharing.

    Reply to this Comment
  2. Phil says:
    January 20, 2009 at 14:00

    I think you should definitely come up with a few more “fun” questions for him to keep the discussion on his mind.

    Reply to this Comment
  3. Mark says:
    January 21, 2009 at 07:38

    Why not tell him that you don’t believe in snow because you don’t like how it cramps your lifestyle. Since you no longer believe in snow, you won’t have to shovel out your driveway anymore.

    Maybe ask him what would happen if you decided not to believe in taxes?

    Reply to this Comment

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