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Sunday, December 5, 2010

I’ve been thinking …

…and smiling, since last Fridays ‘great debate’ event. “Is religion a force for good or ill?” So many issues and angles were raised during the discussion that initially I was scratching my head. But the lingering feeling was of exhilaration and gratitude for the experience.
Former British PM Tony Blair, who was arguing that religion brought good, faced a skeptical audience. Even before the debate started, only 22% of the Toronto audience said they thought religion was a force for good; 56% saying it was harmful. Nevertheless, I thought the discussion between Blair, and British born journalist and atheist Christopher Hitchens was balanced and fair, and to both of their credits they treated each other with a respect that at times bordered on teasing affection. Citing numerous examples from history, Hitchens declared “If you want good people to do evil things you’ll need religion.” He noted that many of the world’s continual war zones are caused by religious conflict. “There will never be peace in the middle east, because the various ‘God parties’ have their opposing holds over it.”
Blair countered with the comment that “The proposition that religion is unadulterated evil cannot be sustained.” He argued that many of the most violent and despicable leaders of the past century were completely non-religious. “Stalin, Hitler, and Pol Pot proclaimed that the will of man, not of God was to be followed!”
Tony Blair also attempted to distinguish between organized religion, and faith. I appreciated his comment that “The essence of faith is the serving of God through the love of others.”
As much as they disagreed, the two debaters did seem to come together on a basic reality – “We’re not going to drive religion out of the world, so let’s at least do it right, and do it for good!”
I found myself agreeing with various points that Both speakers made. What I have come to see is that there are many sources of evil. Yes, of course at times religious differences have caused people to do evil; And also, political differences have led to evil; And ethnic divisions cause evil. The truth is that all people, human beings in general whatever their sub-group, do things that are evil. It’s called sinfulness.
So while I like and even agree with much of Christopher Hitchen’s call for tolerant humanism, I sense that I and the world need more. I find that I want, and I think I even need Jesus. I need a Saviour, who is both a heroic guide and inspiration. And who is a source of forgiveness, mercy and compassion for the brokenness in me and in our world. I need Jesus.
Christmas is coming – Thank God.
With love, ORVILLE

Wellington Square United Church

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Sunday, December 5, 2010

I’ve been thinking …

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