“No god? . . . No problem!” The picture that goes with it is of smiling people wearing Santa Claus hats. This is an ad campaign launched by the American Humanist Association on buses, trains and billboards. I like that they used a small “g” in god because the only true almighty God is spelled with a capital “G.” This, however, is a technicality because I’m sure they mean to include the only true God as well. I read about this in the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER today and just had to comment on it because it sort of got me riled. The Executive Director of the American Humanist Association was quoted to have said, “To the degree that we are reaching out to the godly, it’s just to say that you can be good without god so their atheist neighbor down the street shouldn’t be vilified as though he is immoral.” The fact is there are many “good” people who are lost and separated from God. No matter how “good” we are, we cannot be good enough to earn eternal life according to God’s word.
Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
John 3:16 summarizes how one can have eternal life best: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son (Jesus) that whosever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”
No mention here of being good because salvation (being saved from the punishment of sin we deserve) is not based on what we do or don’t do, but on our belief in Jesus as our personal Savior who died for us, rose from the dead and wants us to live for Him.
I want others to know Jesus like I do because according to the Bible (God's Word) it is the only way to eternal life. If I’m wrong, I’ve lost nothing. If a person chooses to reject God and they are wrong, they’ve lost their soul. This is why it really bugs me when people who do not know God still insist on trying to get other people not to believe in Him too. What is the point of that? What do they gain by convincing someone else to reject God?
Christmas was first a religious holiday before it became a commercialized secular holiday. It’s a fun holiday that even non-religious people join in celebrating which is fine. I love that the Christmas spirit is contagious and many people join in being kind and generous particularly around Christmas time but the purpose of Christmas has always been to celebrate Jesus taking human form, God himself becoming man to show us what God is like and be the Savior of the world—WOW! I suggest we change the slogan to “Know God? No Problem!”
How do you feel about this ad campaign? Do you think I'm over reacting here?
7 comments:
Great post, Karen.
I've seen a photo of the billboard and come up with the same questions as you: What's the point of encouraging people to turn away from God?
The only conclusion I can com eup with it, "Misery loves company." LOL
This is such a wonderful post! Sometimes it feels like the real meaning of the holiday is completely lost in all the commercialism.
I hate how holidays have become all about commercialism.
You are definitely NOT over reacting! The whole world is quickly becoming more and more anti-God.
I agree with the slogan change - "Know God? No Problem!"
I do believe people are good and kind even when they aren't religious. No one should ever think atheists and agnostics are evil. They are wonderful people. But to me, to have a campaign with a catchy slogan to celebrate having no god, is just too much to take at a time when the true meaning of Christmas is just lost.
Rebecca & Yaya: I agree with you.
Helene: Thanks, I wasn't sure what kind of response I'd get to this.
Fruitful Vine2: Thanks for the encouragement!
Mountain Woman: I don't view all atheists as evil but do believe they need the Lord and just haven't come to realize it yet. It seems this association just likes to rile up the Christians.
Mariano: Well said! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I think people try not to step on other's toes. That allows us to ignore that we are supposed to lead people to Christ. Even churches don't preach the truth. They are afraid of hurting someone's feelings. I'd rather hurt someone's feelings by letting them know how to be saved than to think when they die they will not go to heaven.
The sign makes non believers comfortable. They need to be made to feel uncomfortable for their loss.
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