Q. What do you think of the American humanist association's new "godless holiday" campaign? The ads, displayed on transit systems in five major U.S cities, will say: "no god? . . . No problem! Be good for goodness'
sake. Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in god." Another front in the so-called secular "war on Christmas"? Another example of the pluralistic strength of america? And would you agree with the premise, "no god, no problem"?
A. “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake”.
This carol has been used for years to help motivate small children to good behavior during the holiday season so that they can win Santa’s favor. The point isn’t really to be “good for goodness sake” but rather to be good so that Santa will bring you the presents that you requested for Christmas. Bluntly put, it is an admonition to be good so that you can get what you want. Apparently goodness as its own reward is insufficient, particularly at this time of year when we’ve come to believe that the entire U.S. economy depends on the retail sales that we rack up between Black Friday and the start of the New Year.
That being said, it is hard to argue with anyone putting up signs in public places that remind humans to show more humanity to each other. The opportunities for people to be good are endless and universal – they aren’t confined to one particular time of year or people with one particular set of beliefs. I don’t believe that you have to believe in God in order to be good. I’m not even sure that it always makes it any easier to be good.
But I am 100% sure that believing in God is about more than just being good. And Christmas is about more than being good so that you can get more stuff. It is a birthday celebration for the one who came to bring the world good news so that we might have everlasting life if we believe – arguably the best present anyone could ever offer you.
Ironically this good news comes with a cost however. First you have to believe. But that’s only part of it. You have to actually follow the rules of the faith and act on those beliefs. The two most important rules are to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. Certainly being good is one way of demonstrating your faith and your love, of God and neighbor, but it’s only a start. In addition to being good Christians are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide shelter for the homeless and affordable healthcare for the sick – and perhaps the hardest one, love your enemies.
Simply “being good” would certainly be a lot easier. But not nearly as rewarding.
No comments:
Post a Comment