Is the glass half-full or half-empty?
That’s the essence of what atheist blogger Staks Rosch is getting at when he wrote a piece for the Huffington Post called “Dear Pope, Atheists don’t need redemption”.
Here’s a key excerpt:
I don’t believe humans are evil sinners in need of redemption. I don’t see the glass as half empty. I think people are more nuanced than that. We do good things and we do bad things.
First of all, let me write that I would dearly LOVE to agree with Staks. In fact, for many years I was onside with his main points. And it’s hardly a stretch to say that yes, we do good things and bad things.
So what happened?
Simply put, I came to ask these questions: what do we do about the bad things we do? And what do we do about the good things that we FAIL to do?
I’m not talking about destroying skyscrapers or failing to stop genocide – for most of us, such “sins” are as relevant as contemplating life on Mars. I’m talking about when I’m blatently insensitive to my wife or find an excuse not to help a friend in need because it makes me uncomfortable.
What does Staks Rosch do about these things? Apparently, nothing except writing that “I have come to understand that people generally try to be the best they can.”
And to that point, I have to sadly disagree.
In well-off North America it’s easy to be distracted by shiny things (oooh, a new iPad! And look what dumb thing that politician/movie star did today!). But if you and I pay attention to what’s really happening in this world, we would have to admit that people generally DON’T try to be the best they can. I can think of no other explanation for:
- Thousands of child soldiers in Africa;
- Rampant sex slavery in southeast Asia (supported by western ‘sex tourists’);
- Massive corruption in developing nations (aided by North American companies like engineering giant SNC Lavelin);
- Cash-strapped western governments cutting social services, but propping up banks.
When I think about these things, I have no trouble believing this quote from one of the earliest and most influential followers of Jesus of Nazareth (who many people believe is the Son of God): “All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness.”
Staks Rosch doesn’t face this truth in his blog. But lots of people do face it. And some of them, like me, decide to follow Jesus because we need REAL, PERMANENT good news.
The good news is by believing that Jesus sacrificed his life to wipe out the bad things we’ve done and the good things we’ve failed to do, we also welcome Him to change us. To make us more like Him.
And, if you believe life goes beyond 70 or so years on this planet, then that good news is permanent. When I’m done with this life, I’ll face God’s judgement. And I’ll come through that judgement scott-free because of what Jesus did for me.
He can do it for you, too. So, what do you think? Post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
Yes, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Without accepting Jesus’ love and forgiveness in this life, we can never hope to enjoy eternal bliss in the next.
I feel so sorry for those like Staks who think there is no need for God in their lives. Sadly, these are too often the very people who fail to see the true evil of human behaviors in this world such as those you touched upon here.
I don’t know how, unless they wear blinders, these folks can live in any state but one of despair.
I thank the Lord for the hope He has given to me in Christ Jesus!
Blessings, Frank!
That’s just it, Martha. They wear blinders, just about all the time, because that’s what they’re taught to do by our culture. 😦
“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The glass is full.
For anyone wondering, this quote is from the Bible, a section on the life of Jesus simply called “John”. Thanks for reading and contributing, Roy. 🙂
“lots of people … decide to follow Jesus Christ … because we need REAL, PERMANENT good news.”
That seems like an unfortunate reason to have settled on a particular philosophical or religious world-view. Did you feel that there was sufficient basis for the choice you made, or was it just the one that made you feel better about the choices you made?
I’m not an atheist, but I’m also not a follower of any religion. I can’t imagine just picking a religion that way, and if I were to choose a religion based on how it made me feel about my place in the universe, I think I would choose one that wasn’t so focused on punishment. Buddhism certainly has a more positive outlook.
The need for real, permanent good news was one of many reasons that influenced me to become a Jesus follower, Aaron.
Other Frank’s Cottage essays explore those reasons. And none of them are focused on “punishment”. Thanks for reading and commenting; I appreciate it. 🙂