A bunch of 'Atheists' are paying for some advertising on the sides of busses saying "There is probably no God, so stop worrying and enjoy life." I was thinking about it, should this make me angry? On the one hand I want to paint over all of them for the Heresy they advertise to the public. On the other I see doing that as terrible attack on the freedom of speech we should allow. If we can advertise our beliefs other must be able to too (or we become Iran). I think due to the wishy washy language being used ('probably') it is less offensive and merely shows doubt which many have. Therefore this signs hopefully cause people who are essentially living like there is no God anyway to ponder their beliefs again and hopefully, with the Holy Spirit, many will be saved.
The thing which riles me a bit more is the rest of the statement "So stop worrying and enjoy life." Thinking that belief in God would cause increased worry and less enjoyment is plain ignorance.
Worry should not be an issue or a motivating factor for Christians. It is our awe and love for God which should really be the basis for belief. We should have no fear of Hell. Because of Jesus we can remove any fear to the side (Ephesians 2:4-7 -But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus). God has removed any fear and uncertainty we should have in our salvation through His sacrifice for us on the cross. Rather than being worried we will not 'do well enough' on earth to get to Heaven, we can rest assured that it is impossible to earn our way there (even if we could attain perfection, don’t you think that would reduce the majesty of God a little?), but because of Jesus, it doesn't matter! Suggesting we should still worry about our lives after death is as good as saying Jesus' sacrifice was not enough! It is those who do not have Jesus who should worry, as 1 John 5:11-13 says - And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
The extreme enjoyment life brings as a Christian is that you are secure in this knowledge - God forgives us when we mess up (if we ask for forgiveness and try not to do it again) - "Where oh death is your sting?."
(1 Corinthians 15:55-57 -"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.)
The slogan should go something more like this... "There IS a God (who has done all the hard work for you) so stop worrying and enjoy life"
Side note - I find it quite funny that this group of 'Atheists' (who are supposed to have made their minds up that no god exists at all) say that there is "probably" no god. That would make them agnostics if they arn't sure!?
A campaign like this bring to mind a quote from a pastor I listen to (which goes something like this)......"Atheists have a common mantra - 'There is no God and I hate Him!'" If they believe there is no god, why do they care what others think? No real consequence if they don't care is there?
Apparently they are doing this because atheists are persecuted - Kinda contrary to their belief that there is not god - and they hate him huh? I think it's a good thing, far better people talk about their beliefs/non beliefs I say, at least it leaves room for discussion. I like your slogan, I was thinking of something similar myself - perhaps, "there is a God, and guess what? He doesnt want to anyone to hell,so believe in Him, receive His grace and forgiveness and enjoy life" - a bit long for the side of a bus though!
ReplyDeleteI also so a comment - they are fundraising to put their message on buses kind of an atheist tithe, hilarious!