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An atheist was taking a walk through the woods.

"What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" 
he said to himself.

As he continued walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the 
bushes. Turning to look, he saw a 7-foot grizzly charging towards him.

He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder he saw 
that the bear was closing in on him. His heart was pumping frantically 
and he tried to run even faster but he tripped and fell on the ground. 
He rolled over to pick himself up just in time to see the bear raising 
his paw to take a swipe at him.

At that instant the atheist cried out: "Oh my God!"

Time stopped. 

The bear froze. 

The forest was silent.

It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out
of the sky, saying: "You deny my existence for all these years, teach
others that I don't exist and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. 
Now 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.

Then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke, "Lord, bless 
this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful."


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[Contributed by Peter]

I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me...