Christopher Michael Drew, 71, former president of the Illinois chapter of American Atheists who spent $3,000 of his own money to publish the book “Jesus and Moses Were Invented,” died Saturday, June 24, in South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest after suffering almost two years from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Born in Harpenden, England, a small village about 60 miles north of London, Mr. Drew first became disillusioned with organized religion as a boy in a British boarding school, forced to learn the rigors of Anglican traditions. “He was never a very religious fellow to begin with,” said his son Douglas. “But it was only in the 1970s when he became what you would call a militant atheist.” Mr. Drew began a practice of driving around churches on Sunday with a sign posted outside his car reading, “God theories mislead people. Neglect your church.” When Pope John Paul II visited Chicago in 1979, Mr. Drew picketed the pontiff each day “because he didn’t think religious organizations should get special tax breaks. The government was supporting a lie.” He then wrote a book detailing his belief the biblical figures Jesus Christ and Moses were completely fictionalized. After years of shopping the book around to publishers, he finally spent his own money this year to print 2,000 copies. The books will be distributed to various atheist organizations in the coming months. “My father believed in morals,” his son said. “But they were based in interactions with people, to be a good person, not to gain some reward after you die.” Mr. Drew came to the United States at age 23 to work for General Motors in Detroit. He then moved to Harvey, where he worked for more than 30 years at Wyman-Gordon Co., a manufacturer of engine parts. He married twice, but he lost both wives to cancer. His second wife, Doreen, preceded him in death by just five weeks. “She was so focused on caring for my dad’s illness, she neglected her own health. He took it hard,” his son said. “That’s the main reason why he passed away so quickly.” Other survivors include another son, Clayton; a daughter, Lorrene Schaumberg; a stepson, David Shlay; three stepdaughters, Anne Shlay, Judy Shlay and Susan Bertolino; and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday in Mr. Drew’s residence in Hazel Crest.
