Enigma III

What if Christ walked among us today? Would we be ready? Have we grown enough spiritually?

Mahatma Ghandi had something to say along these lines: "I like Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." (mongoosemom.com)

Probably, our opinions vary as to the extent to which that statement is true, but it does give one pause for thought, as does the bumpersticker, "GOD PROTECT ME FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS". (Religious Bumperstickers www.ruihaver.net/bumperstickers/religioushtm)

What about the other side, today's atheists. I think just as it is important not to stereotype Christians, so it is important not to stereotype atheists. They are not all the same. The Long Beach Press Telegram (Faith section, Saturday, August 27, 2011, page A9) published an article,"New Atheists Show No Mercy." The Religious News Service article stated that Sam Harris' book, "The End of Faith," launched the New Atheist Movement which maintains that religion is not just flawed, but evil, and must be rejected." Not just the Christian Religion, but all religions.

Christopher Hitchens, whose best-seller book also blamed religion for most of the world's ills, said, "I think religion should be treated with ridicule, hatred and contempt..."

And so I wonder, if Christ walked among us today, or if you walked along the beach, and suddenly discovered God walking beside you, what would you do? Would you be ready?

I look up into the starry sky,
amidst the radiant, silver light,
And ask, God, is that You? Are You there?
But the starry night answers not.