February message

The February message has been written by Rev Alan Griffith of Rawdon, one of our regular preachers.

Dear Friends,

Despite our distance from London, you may have read that the famous atheist professor Richard Dawkins and fellow non-believers have joined forces to plaster messages on London buses that proclaim, "THERE IS PROBABLY NO GOD. NOW STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE”   Besides the slogans, the adverts will feature the addresses of  secular, humanist and atheist websites, so that readers can find out more about atheism as a positive and liberating alternative to religion, we are told by the organisers.

Apparently the idea came from a woman travelling to work in London on a wet, dismal, morning, being confronted by a “Christian” poster on a bus proclaiming God’s judgment on the world.  She decided  to retaliate, and, many months down the line a number of atheists, including Richard Dawkins  joined forces to launch the campaign in the winter of 2008/9.

Dawkins, the author of the bestselling book, "The God Delusion," said he wanted atheists to fight the vestiges of religiosity that remain in English culture. "This campaign to put alternative slogans on London buses will make people think - and thinking is anathema to religion," he said.   Dawkins said that he "wasn't wild" about the ad's statement that there is only "probably" not a God. However, the word was included in order not to breach transit advertising regulations, which require that messages not be offensive to religious people.

So what about the advert itself?  First, "There is probably no God." No. Atheists don't believe there is "probably" no God. They believe, that there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever for the existence of God.

 Second, "Now stop worrying." Not much comfort to those worried about  losing their job, being made redundant,  or facing the possibility of their house being repossessed.  That is not to mention the growing social problems in the country; the effects of climate change this century etc. etc. etc.etc. 

 If convinced atheists ran homeless charities, drug rehabilitation centres, bereavement services, mums and toddlers groups, and such like, this advice might, just, be reasonable. But it is not.  (And yes, I know I am being unfair to those many selfless atheists in order to make a point)

 Last, and worst, on the poster is that phrase  "so enjoy your life". So what do atheists  advise us to do when we have thrown off the shackles of religion?  Not "stop worrying and volunteer somewhere"; not "stop worrying and give money to third world  charities"; but "stop worrying and enjoy your life." Although this campaign is not aimed only at Christians, the Christians I know appear to enjoy life greatly!

Atheists and believers do at least agree that these things matter.  And do we not need atheists to remind us how to live like Christians.

  God bless!   Alan