For those of you who haven't seen this 'advert' in real life, and who can't read what is written on the side of this London bus it says, 'There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life'.This publicity campaign started at the beginning of the year and will run for a number of weeks, but I have been reading articles about it for a lot longer.
The posters are the work of the British Humanist Association, funded by Richard Dawkins and lots of contributions from others. What might be a surprise to some is that a few of those contributors where Christian groups such as the think-tank Theos.
It has been interesting to read the reactions of Christians to seeing these buses, for example those who say these buses should be boycotted by Christians. But aren't these buses a great opportunity to talk about our faith? God is back on the agenda in our high streets - and He is being put back on the agenda by those who want to remove Him from the agenda!
But what is the slogan actually saying? Lots could be said about the 'probably' - but I won't. I wonder how many people actually worry about whether there is a God or not. Yes you do if there is a crisis of life and death in your family, but most people are probably worried a lot more about their finances, job security, pensions etc at the moment. How does the 'assurance' that there is nothing bigger than me, there is no one in control, there is no hope for the future help me deal with that worry?
And for all those who are struggling what encouragement do the humanists give? There is not even the hope that someone may be looking out for me. For their response to the existence or otherwise of God is self-centred - now I can enjoy myself. So who is going to look out for the poor, the voiceless, the homeless, the oppressed, the weak, the prisoner ...?
The good news is that there is a God and therefore I can experience life to the full.
