26) [Bill Maher] "Why would a sensible person like yourself believe in a fairy tale like Christmas?"
This year has not been a good one for organized religion. Most prominently, Iraq has dissolved into sectarian chaos. Closer to home, religious groups argue over gay marriage and the role of women in the church. Religion has (or religious people have) done enough harm around the world that critics can claim that the world would be better off without religion entirely. It’s hard to argue the point.
Indeed, my own faith, Christianity, has harmed the world in many ways over the centuries, and one fears more is to come. Some Christians hope for the end of the world, looking forward to the time when the godless “get what’s coming to them”. That Christianity and other religions are the source of so much division is enough to make anyone despair.
Can the Christmas season bring us some relief? At first glance, perhaps not. The orgy of consumerism seemingly swamps the season’s small, quiet acts of kindness. Noisy zealots ironically wage war in the name of Christmas, fearing public menorah may steal the spotlight from the Christmas tree.
Furthermore, parts of the Christmas story itself strain the credulity of an educated person. God sent his son to the world to share in our struggles. If that’s the case, why did his son arrive in a way no one before or after has used (via the virgin birth)? Parts of the story just make no sense. As Jesus grew, his parents were often surprised by his actions. Honestly, if I had a child without having sex and had been visited by angels warning me in advance, nothing that child did subsequently would be surprising. So, even at Christmas time, there are parts of the story that are a bit hard to swallow.
There is, however, a part of the story to which I desperately cling. It is the story of a young Jewish girl, pregnant and afraid, in a strange place with no where to lay her head. How could a God that made the universe care about someone so insignificant? Why did God choose that woman to bring his child into the world? What could such a powerful God have in common with those so powerless? It is this God who gives me hope. I believe this God cares about me and gives me hope that I might one day be more like his Son and her mother.
In Luke 2 (verse 50ff) , the blessed Mary proclaims
Are there alternative sources of such hope? Perhaps humans might perfect themselves over the time. If the past year has been bad for religion, it’s been ever worse for this hope. Rather than rejoicing in their freedom, Iraqis turned on each other to settle old scores. Warring factions in Africa turn children into soldiers and commit unspeakable acts against their families. Those who hope that human beings will learn from their mistakes and will renounce violence and selfishness see trends in world events that are hidden from me.
Perhaps science is a source of hope. I’m not one of those who fear science and religion are in conflict. I do feel, however, that science is more the road than the destination. The wonders of the human body and the world around us don’t make me wonder whether God exists. Rather they make humble.
So, I cling to the hope that Christmas and the one it honors can make me better. My hope for the world is that all religions will contribute positively to the world in the coming year. I hope in the coming year we find fewer hungry people and fewer rich people who take their blessings for granted. My hope is that the powerful of the world will spend more time lifting up the poor than trampling them. I hope that you can come to embody the best of whatever religion that is meaningful to you. For me, I hope that I can better embody Mary’s spirit of servanthood and humility.
Indeed, my own faith, Christianity, has harmed the world in many ways over the centuries, and one fears more is to come. Some Christians hope for the end of the world, looking forward to the time when the godless “get what’s coming to them”. That Christianity and other religions are the source of so much division is enough to make anyone despair.
Can the Christmas season bring us some relief? At first glance, perhaps not. The orgy of consumerism seemingly swamps the season’s small, quiet acts of kindness. Noisy zealots ironically wage war in the name of Christmas, fearing public menorah may steal the spotlight from the Christmas tree.
Furthermore, parts of the Christmas story itself strain the credulity of an educated person. God sent his son to the world to share in our struggles. If that’s the case, why did his son arrive in a way no one before or after has used (via the virgin birth)? Parts of the story just make no sense. As Jesus grew, his parents were often surprised by his actions. Honestly, if I had a child without having sex and had been visited by angels warning me in advance, nothing that child did subsequently would be surprising. So, even at Christmas time, there are parts of the story that are a bit hard to swallow.
There is, however, a part of the story to which I desperately cling. It is the story of a young Jewish girl, pregnant and afraid, in a strange place with no where to lay her head. How could a God that made the universe care about someone so insignificant? Why did God choose that woman to bring his child into the world? What could such a powerful God have in common with those so powerless? It is this God who gives me hope. I believe this God cares about me and gives me hope that I might one day be more like his Son and her mother.
In Luke 2 (verse 50ff) , the blessed Mary proclaims
“His mercy extends to those who fear him,This story is one of mercy and justice—a story of hope for a better tomorrow.
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."”
Are there alternative sources of such hope? Perhaps humans might perfect themselves over the time. If the past year has been bad for religion, it’s been ever worse for this hope. Rather than rejoicing in their freedom, Iraqis turned on each other to settle old scores. Warring factions in Africa turn children into soldiers and commit unspeakable acts against their families. Those who hope that human beings will learn from their mistakes and will renounce violence and selfishness see trends in world events that are hidden from me.
Perhaps science is a source of hope. I’m not one of those who fear science and religion are in conflict. I do feel, however, that science is more the road than the destination. The wonders of the human body and the world around us don’t make me wonder whether God exists. Rather they make humble.
So, I cling to the hope that Christmas and the one it honors can make me better. My hope for the world is that all religions will contribute positively to the world in the coming year. I hope in the coming year we find fewer hungry people and fewer rich people who take their blessings for granted. My hope is that the powerful of the world will spend more time lifting up the poor than trampling them. I hope that you can come to embody the best of whatever religion that is meaningful to you. For me, I hope that I can better embody Mary’s spirit of servanthood and humility.
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7:19 PM
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