Hypocrisy, pragmatism or both?

[LiberalAndProud]

Last edited Tue Feb 3, 2015, 09:20 PM - Edit history (1)

This atheist makes $100,000-plus each year selling Bibles; he feels guilty, but the money is too good to stop
According to McKendrick's blog, the app made $73,034 in net revenue in its first year. In the second year, that number grew to $100,134.

-snip-

McKendrick told Blumberg the income "doesn't feel like real money because so little work is involved.

"Dude, I spend maybe an hour a month on this thing."

-snip-

See, McKendrick isn't exactly a believer in his product.

"We don't believe in Christianity," he told Blumberg. "We don't believe in the Bible."

"I would describe myself as an atheist."

McKendrick was raised a believer — a Mormon, actually. He attended a Mormon college and got married in a Mormon temple. But when his brother left the church he realized he had long harbored doubts himself, and he soon quit, too.

http://www.businessinsider.com/atheist-makes-100000-selling-bibles-2015-2

[John1956PA]

1. Don Corleone: "How a man makes his living is none of my business." The Godfather (1972)

I think of that line occasionally.

[AlbertCat]

2. How to relieve guilt:

Sell the Ramayana too.


If I sell books about Hannibal Lecter, do I have to approve of cannibalism? or even the FBI?


It's not like people cannot just get a bible somewhere else.

He should donate to the Freedom From Religion Foundation with the profits.(Prophets?)

[Curmudgeoness]

3. Hey, why not?

Make money where there is money to be made. It isn't like he is pulling a scam on people, taking money and providing nothing. They know what they are buying, and if it isn't from him, it is from somewhere else.

I wish I would have thought of this if it really is that easy.

[LiberalAndProud]

4. I am jealous that I didn't think of it.

This guy isn't telling believers to get a reverse mortgage to pay their 700 club membership fees. I like him.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. And he isn't even seeking out converts.

He is just sitting there and believers are coming to him. Nothing to be ashamed of.

When I think of some of the jobs that I have had, places I have worked, and bosses I have worked for, I feel dirtier than I would doing what he is doing. (And right now, I have a lead on a job with a fracker---tell me how dirty that would be.)

[EvolveOrConvolve]

6. Do you have a link?

I think I know this guy; the ex-Mormon community is pretty small.

[LiberalAndProud]

7. Sheesh. How could I forget to include the link?

http://www.businessinsider.com/atheist-makes-100000-selling-bibles-2015-2

Edited my OP too.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

8. Awesome, thanks!

I don't think it's the guy I know, but it may be his brother.

[Brainstormy]

10. My husband has an online book business

and regrettably religious books are big sellers. We're both atheists and feel a little squeamish about putting this junk in inventory, but, what are you going to do? The payments have no religious affiliation. But yeah, it's both pragmatism and hypocrisy.