Bunyan relays this conversation between Christian and Atheist, and it sounds so much like the continued comment thread here.
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So he drew nearer and nearer, and at last came up unto them. His name was Atheist, and he asked them whither they were going.
CHRISTIAN. We are going to Mount Zion.
Then Atheist fell into a very great laughter.
CHRISTIAN. What is the meaning of your laughter?
ATHEIST. I laugh to see what ignorant persons you are, to take upon you so tedious a journey, and you are like to have nothing but your travel for your pains.
CHRISTIAN. Why, man, do you think we shall not be received?
ATHEIST. Received! There is no such place as you dream of in all this world.
CHRISTIAN. But there is in the world to come.
ATHEIST. When I was at home in mine own country, I heard as you now affirm, and from that hearing went out to see, and have been seeking this city this twenty years; but find no more of it than I did the first day I set out. [Jer. 22:12, Eccl. 10:15]
CHRISTIAN. We have both heard and believe that there is such a place to be found.
ATHEIST. Had not I, when at home, believed, I had not come thus far to seek; but finding none, (and yet I should, had there been such a place to be found, for I have gone to seek it further than you), I am going back again, and will seek to refresh myself with the things that I then cast away, for hopes of that which, I now see, is not.
3 comments:
Apparently there is nothing new under the sun. Wait, I've heard that somewhere before...
Too funny. Well, and also quite sad. Hm.
I know. It's so sad that I don't believe in dragons or sea monsters....
Or is that actually called "grown up"?
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