Upon further 'investigation', I discovered that the organizers planned this 'blog-event" as a response to the recent "No God" advertising campaign in the U.K. and U.S. by the British Humanist Association and the American Humanist Association, respectively.
Now, my understanding of Humanist theory is that Humanists believe in being good people not because there is a God or consequences after death. Basically, they do not need "God" to be good people and hence, their controversial ad campaign right here in my neck of the woods - Washington, D.C.
Source: Wheel On The Web
As many readers know, I am a Christian. What most of you do not know is that I have seen the power of faith and prayer, not just in my life but in the lives of those around me. Those experiences have reinforced for me the existence of a God who I do not necessarily understand, but place my trust in.Despite that, I completely understand why some people would not believe that there is a God and frankly, do not begrudge them their opinion. I have had the good fortune to have passionate debates with Atheists (never any Humanists, however) and the one thing I have always taken away was that God gave us the power of reason and the ability to think critically. As such, every human has the right to question God's existence, in my humble opinion. Their attitude towards God does not threaten my faith.
So, why am I participating in the "I Believe in God" blog-event?
Well, the answer is simple. I believe in God. And, when next will I have an opportunity to join my fellow bloggers in making such a declaration? Besides, today is World's AIDS Day, and as I look at my healthy happy children, I recognize that many other children all over the world are afflicted by HIV/AIDS through no fault of theirs. I thank the God that I believe in for the many mercies upon my family and believe that the cure for AIDS is on the horizon. We all just have to keep ourselves safe and work together, Humanist/Atheist or not, to find a cure.
20 Easier Comments. Add Yours!:
Firstttttttt
Sis mi, it's work and school, i'm so busy. I'll come and give you all the gist, soon. My love to my aburos, i have to run now. Mwahhhhh.
I believe in God too, totally and completely!!!
Christians and other religions are always campaigning for their belief, I don't understand why atheists/humanists/agnostics cannot do the same. Psteew! Hypocrisy po
I don't believe in God
I'm a member of God's army!However other people are entitled to their opinion..freedom of speech no?And as Christians, we are not to judge their beliefs!
As for World Aids day i say wrap it up and get tested!!!
and i made the top 3 position!!!
To say that I love the sincerity of this post is an understatement...
Each of us will come to a point in our lives where we have to make that choice. The question is "where will your critical mind take you to after your observation?"
My mind pointed me to the direction of an uncreated Creator...God!
I like the way you summarized it all.
Even when situations seem so hopeless, like a child being afflicted by AIDs through no fault of theirs, God can keep them going beyond human expectations.
I really like the openness of this post.
Thanks for your comment on my blog.
no doubt...i believe in God
p.s
i've updated... lol
Wow top 10..cooooool!
I just wish with all my heart that those who dont believe in God can just SEE THE LIGHT! I guess they just need to go through some particular experiences to believe that God does exist.
Lookin forward to tmrw's post!
Can I make the top ten! Thanks for the support. I believe in God!
Hey SSD, such a sincere post. I didn't get any e-mails, but would I be so forward in joining the movement, whose permission do I need to seek to write something on my blog?
Thankssss!
Hey Aunty SS,
THanks for this post. While I am a Humanist, I still think that faith is lovely. To each its own is what I say. Have a great week.
I believe in God and will always do. My belief in God certainly does not drive me to do good. I do good because i have goodness in me.
wow... thanks Solomonsydelle...
I believe in God.. .I believe.. I believe... and I thank Him that I have been blessed to know him and to believe in Him
God bless you loads...
much love
Hear, hear...
I'm with Jaycee...I love your sincerity...^_^
I believe in God too and sometimes it's hard for me to understand why other people don't...Oh well, I may not understand it but I respect their beliefs as much as my own...
May He bless us all...esp as it's Christmas season :)
Haha I knew everyone was going to come here and say I believe in God but I respect other people's beliefs. In my experience that's just utter bs. I should know - I'm the only non believer in my family.
My sister who is the youth prez in her church called me last week to tell me that she thinks she would go crazy if any of our other siblings follow in my footsteps. Even after I pointed out that contrary to her practices I have never tried to convince anyone that my belief is better. She had of course managed to say the necessary "no offense" and "i totally respect your decision" line before she made that statement.
I don't understand how anyone can claim to understand or respect someone's wishes and manage to feel superior to you in the same breathe
@ Omosewa: You this babe! Glad to hear from you and to know that its just the normal stuff that has taken you away from blogville! Can't wait for a proper update from you.
@ Mogaji: "Christians and other religions are always campaigning for their belief, I don't understand why atheists/humanists/agnostics cannot do the same."
That is true. There is definitely room for all of us to espouse our beliefs and ask questions. The concern is when those with mal-intent choose to use those differences for violent means. But, if we encourage tolerance, and ingrain it in our children and at every level, the risk that those with bad intentions can use our differences against us, diminishes, don't you think.
Are you an atheist or a humanist?
@ ShonaVixen: I couldn't agree more!
@ Jaycee: Thanks so much for the compliment, you wise sage! =)
"Each of us will come to a point in our lives where we have to make that choice. The question is "where will your critical mind take you to after your observation?""
Indeed.
@ Nwa Chi: God is good. My sista, thanks for swinging by! have you updated? i keep checking your site. lol! I promise, I am not a blog stalker. lol!
@ Shubby Doo: You updated? Yippee!!!
*doing the Shubby Doo dance*
Ah, off to read!
@ Buttercup: Maybe or maybe not. Life is funny that way. Someone could go through a life or death situation, come out of it believing in God, or come out of it firmly believing there is no God. Who knows what could happen? I have just reached a point in my life where I just wish that all people would try to live the best life possible and be as good as possible. If they believe in God oh, I am thankful, if they do not believe in God oh, that's fine as well. As long as they do not believe in Satan and commit themselves to the cause of evil, I am fine.
ooh, sorry for the epistle. lol!
@ Believer: This was a great 'blog-event'. Thanks to all of you who thought to include me. I appreciate it! We get so busy without lives sometimes, it is nice to slow down and reconfirm the things you believe in and that give you guidance such as faith.
How nah?
@ Nefertiti: oh, I'm sorry i didn't read this on Monday, I would have told you that you need no permission to join and you can do this anytime. I think Believer, or Jaycee or Amara can give you more info as they were there at the beginning in planning this.
Anyway, how you dey?
@ Temite: Wow, your the first person I 'know' that's a humanist.
Anyway, I'm with you, faith is great and as long as we all respect each other its all good!
@ Emeka: "My belief in God certainly does not drive me to do good. I do good because i have goodness in me."
Kai! Lyrical waxologist! I could never have thought of something so brilliantly said. thank you for sharing it with us here.
@ Aunty Remi: God bless you loads as well!!!
=)
@ UndaCovaSista: "we are everywhere"
I love it!
How now?
@ Lolia: "May He bless us all...esp as it's Christmas season :)"
Yes, may he bless us all.
Thanks so much for the compliment! =)
@ Mogaji: "I don't understand how anyone can claim to understand or respect someone's wishes and manage to feel superior to you in the same breathe"
Well, it is obviously really hard for your sister to understand your choice. Though I don't know her, I have to assume that because she is your sister, she wants and expects you to be like her. That's just a natural attitude when it comes to close relationships.
The key is for you to not get upset, because doing so will only make things worse, I think. Shower her with kindness, even when she irritates you and use that kindness to explain that the choice, is ultimately yours.
She would do more good respecting your decision and trying to learn about your opinion than disagreeing or arguing. Just my two kobos.
And as for my reader's comments, you have to take them at their word when they say they respect others. I don't think anyone has given you cause to feel otherwise. Besides, Aunty Temite came straight out to say she is a Humanist, right. If she felt comfortable doing so, that suggests the atmosphere here.
No worries, my sista. You have the right to be who you are. No questioning or judgment from over here. believe me.
You know I've been following this campaign. There are quite a number of blogs where this same campaign has been the major issue been discussed. And I'm lovin' it.
You may want to check this link
http://scampblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/first-presentation-of-atheist-ads.html
where creative minds are cooking up more interesting campaign to further the humanist cause. One of the ads - a billboard says "there is probably nothing up there. Live. Now"
On God? Believer or non-believer... I can't be bothered!
The matter is simple to me. If we were capable of being good for goodness sake we won't need a saviour. Obviously with the state of the world today, we desperately need someone or something to save us from ourselves. With that said, that same saviour has given us free will he won't be a loving God if he forced anyone to love and obey him this way when you really believe in God you really do. Therefore, why must we as agents of Christ go around condenming people for their beliefs? It's only through a true loving heart followers can ever bring anyone into his kingdom and not by being hypocrital judgemental a-holes.
Post a Comment