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Christians Raise Money for Ailing Atheist Critic

He might need surgery for eye disease

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 22, 2012 5:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – It began as one of those typical fights over a public nativity scene, but this spat took a nice twist: Atheist Patrick Greene threatened to sue over such a scene in front of the courthouse in Henderson County, Texas, but he backed off when he learned he had a debilitating eye disease, reports the Houston Chronicle. Upon hearing the news, members of the local Sand Springs Baptist Church raised $400 to help Greene pay his bills, reports TylerPaper.com.

“Why not turn this into something else?" explains a church member who organized the collection. "This is a great opportunity to turn the other cheek and show God's love." As for Greene, he says he is appreciative of the gesture from "real Christians." As a thank-you, he even bought the group a star to put atop the nativity scene. (He's also getting donations for possible surgery from atheists here.)

  (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 37 comments
brucke
Mar 23, 2012 3:54 AM CDT
Love never fails. 
warumblebah
Mar 23, 2012 2:37 AM CDT
You need donations to get medical treatment in your country? Oh, you poor people. You could try and get advice and assistance from a number of first-world countries that solved this problem many, many years ago. Otherwise you could try asking Médecins Sans Frontières for help.
AustinFound
Mar 23, 2012 1:20 AM CDT
I don't see the "turn the other cheek" reference having any application here, as it implies there was some form of aggression or hostility on his part. He just disagreed with their nativity being placed in a public courthouse and he made it known. It sounds to me like he was civil about the whole ordeal, even if he did oppose them. It's great that they are helping him out, but it would be nicer if they didn't publicize these negative implications about him while doing so.
 

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