In January 2006, atheist Hemant (pronounced HEH-mint) Mehta (pronounced Mehta) posted an auction on eBay, agreeing to attend worship services of the winning bidder’s choosing. Jim Henderson, a former pastor in Seattle, won the auction. He asked Hemant to attend a number of different churches and write a critique of each one. Hemant eventually put his reflections in his book, I Sold My Soul on eBay: Viewing Faith Through an Atheist’s Eyes.
I have just finished reading the book and find myself agreeing with Rob Bell’s comments in the foreword: “It’s not just that he’s smart, insightful and honest. It’s that so much of what he says is…well…true. What will strike you in the pages of this book is that Hemant isn’t angry or antagonistic. As you try to figure out exactly what his agenda is, you’ll probably arrive at the same conclusion I did. I think he’s simply after truth.”
Hemant was reared in a religious environment and deals respectfully with those who do not share his convictions. Early in the book, he writes, “I have lived on both sides of the religious divide… I am an atheist, but I don’t fit the common stereotype held by so many in the religious community…I’m not trying to tear down anyone’s religion, and I don’t pretend to have all the answers…It is clear that most churches have aligned themselves against nonreligious people. By adopting this stance, Christians have turned off the people I would think they want to connect with.”
As he reflects on his “de-conversion”, Hemant briefly discusses some general religious themes and how an atheist might typically approach those issues. He includes topics of prayer, suffering and misfortune, childrearing, cultural traditions, religious expression in public life, death, and the meaning of life.
Hemant visited a variety of churches in all shapes and sizes. In the book, he shares his impressions and insights about fifteen of them. Some of the largest churches he visited include the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas and Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago. Toward the end of the book, he talks about what churches are doing right to reach out to non-Christians like him and where, in his opinion, churches are missing the mark. Just as a teaser, the positives include: good preaching, community outreach, dialogue with opposing viewpoints, and relevant sermons. On the negative side: insensitivity to nonreligious people, too much singing, members not paying attention in church, lack of opportunities to ask questions, and confusing rituals and traditions.
Hemant and I hold many different perspectives on God and church and spiritual life. But I am challenged by his observations and encouraged to look at my own approach to those who believe differently from me. I don’t think I’ve ever used this page as a book review. Until now.
Dennis Lynn
