So I was watching the news today, and it said that the TTC would start running atheist freedom of speech ads along the side of buses. Messages such as, "There is no God, so go on with your life". My issue is that I'm not against that. Am I wrong for being okay with that message being advertised?
I do think that everyone has a right to say what they want, and hey, if the atheists are paying for the ad space, why not? I do understand how people would be offended by the statement, but I'm pretty sure Christian messages offend too. I've seen messages about rewards in the afterlife, and if someone doesn't believe in that, it can feel offensive. To me, "go on with your life" gives me the impression that they're trying to say that people should be living it out instead of living in fear of the consequences. If you're looking at it from their perspective, the message can actually be pretty positive.
So where am I supposed to stand on this issue? As a Christian, I should be against it, right? But as a human, I feel like it's fair to let this statement be publicized. Sometimes I feel that as Christians, we are limited to certain views and opinions. I learned in law class that some people believe that God gave us all the same equal human rights, so doesn't that include freedom of speech? Even if it does denounce God, isn't it just a use of the same human rights that we have?
I guess I don't really have an answer to my question yet.
-sabrina
Thanks for sharing your struggles on this with us. Messages like these are quite deceiving indeed. Whether the message is "there is probably no God, so enjoy life," or "there are rewards in the afterlife" or "just do it!" people who have no morals or understanding of the basic assumptions behind each of these claims can easily misunderstand and so be misled.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't feel these statements offensive. But maybe a little "uncomfortable"...should I get on this bus? :) If I have a choice, I might not! However, I think these statements are here in our days to serve greater purposes:
1. Remind ourselves that we need to preach the full gospel message. For example, the God that we believe in is the one who made us, loves us, watches over us day and night, guides us to walk in the light, gives us nothing but the best, forgives us all our sins and set us free from eternal judgment and death (because of what Jesus did on the cross) so that we can walk with our heads held high and live our life to the fullest. If there is such God, we can live our lives to the fullness, without fears, without regrets (not just to enjoy life, but live life to the fullness)!
2. Examine ourselves. As Christ-followers, what do we truly believe? Where do we stand? These statements might serve to separate the sheep from the wolves. As Jesus says not all who called upon His name know the truth and so will be saved. Where do you and I stand in all these?
3. Now, what should our attitude be? I think we should learn from Paul. Work within our culture and earn the right to speak the truth whenever we can. We don't agree what the homosexuals do doesn't mean we do not love them or respect them any less. Meanwhile, learn to show mercy, forgive and pray for them, for "they do not know what they are doing." We know as the last days approach "the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ." (2 Cor 4:4) Have mercy on them.
Regarding "freedom of speech," yes, there is freedom. But for us who are the light of this world, same principle applies, "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial."
Hope this helps. God bless.
I will comment. Since i haven't. This reminds me of when we were talking about whether or not we should greet people with "merry Christmas" or "happy holidays". I got quite pensive over it because i feel that i NEED to conform to the world because i dont wanna offend anyone. But hey... i can say whatever i want. I duno, it's a touchy subject, i guess. I think i'd rather avoid these situations so i dont have to deal with it. haha.
ReplyDeletei have a tendency to run from stuffs, as seen in my blogs.