No God? BIG Problem!
This morning’s edition of USA Today had a small paragraph tucked away on page 6D of the “Life” Section. It didn’t get a prominent place in the paper, but it stood out for me as the story of the day. It was entitled – “No God?. . . No Problem.” It seems that the American Humanist Association is launching an advertising campaign across the country promoting its philosophy and belief. The “No God?. . . No Problem” ads are set to appear in subway and bus stations in major urban cities over the next month. Roy Spekhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, was quoted as saying, “Religion does not have a monopoly on morality – millions of people are good without believing in God.”
Many of you have heard me say that I have been a part of the church since I was baby. But what most of you don’t know is that throughout my life I have been exposed to and even surrounded by persons who either have professed no faith or written off the faith for any number of reasons. These ondividuals have been really good people. They have, at times, inspired, blessed, and influenced my life. Frequently they have embodied the sub-title of the Humanist’s campaign: “Be good for goodness sake.”
But something happened to each of these good people.
Most had spent a lifetime investing in the world. They had each done well in acquiring things like possessions, prestige or good health. They loved their family, enjoyed their friends, and were productive in their work. But something happened. Their investments began to fade. Their family members and friends started to die. Their illusions of an invincible life began to crumble. Before they could blink an eye, all of their “humanist” dreams were gone. And, as a result, they either grew deeply afraid or significantly angry.
That is the “humanist’s” dilemma. But it doesn’t end there. It’s become the temptation of everyone in the church as well. We have fallen prey to the lure of human investments, treasures, and solutions. The church has sadly become rather humanist too. Have you noticed? We don’t talk about heaven nearly as much as we bemoan the drop in our investments, the decline of our churches, the disrepair of our buildings, and the failure of our leadership. Sad to say, it appears that our investments have been made in human things far more than in divine ones. In a day when faith in God is needed now more than ever, it appears that we might actually be subscribing to a campaign designed to promote being “good for goodness sake.”
But remember – your investments will go away. Your friends will let you down. Your health will decline. And if you’re not careful, someday you will grow bitter, cynical, and disappointed because life will not be what you thought it would be. And before you know it, you will die.
Then what?
No God? Big Problem!
The Journey Continues, . . .
By: Bishop Thomas Bickerton On 11/27/2009
Comments