Atheist Proclaims Africa Needs God
Matthew Parris, of Times Online, describes his thoughts of returning after 45 years to his boyhood home in Africa. He shares that his current travels in Malawi has ‘renew[ed] [his] flagging faith in development charities,’ but also another belief he acknowledges having tried to remove completely from his life; for it ‘confounds [his] ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit [his] world view, and has embarrassed [his] growing belief that there is no God.’ He now confirms that he must confess, as ‘a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa.’
He freely admits, as Christianity has long affirmed, transformation will not come forth from ‘the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts’ alone. ‘Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.’ Though he denies the faith of salvation, he realizes ‘only the severest kind of secularist could see a mission hospital or school and say the world would be better without it.’
What a way to end my blogging for 2008, but with a Times Online article entitled, ‘As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God.’ This reminds me of Paul’s witness to King Agrippa in Acts chapter 25.
Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.’
And Paul said, ‘I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.’
Take a moment to read his article.
He freely admits, as Christianity has long affirmed, transformation will not come forth from ‘the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts’ alone. ‘Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.’ Though he denies the faith of salvation, he realizes ‘only the severest kind of secularist could see a mission hospital or school and say the world would be better without it.’
What a way to end my blogging for 2008, but with a Times Online article entitled, ‘As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God.’ This reminds me of Paul’s witness to King Agrippa in Acts chapter 25.
Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.’
And Paul said, ‘I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.’
Take a moment to read his article.
7 comments:
You must have got this from Vox Day.
Africa doesn't need God. Africa needs stable governments, clean drinking water, proper sanitation, secular education and technology. Not God.
In fact, the problem with Africa is there are too many conflicting religions.
Beast FCD
Beast, what is your opinion of what's best for Africa based on - experience or experiment? Have you spent any time in Africa or at least a comparable time to that of this article's author? Are you aware of how closely religion and moral belief systems are tied together?
The idea that all religions are equal is a fool's argument. One might as well state that all forms of economic beliefs, from communism to capitalism, are equal. Islam would tear Africa apart even further, but Christianity, based on what I've read, has brought Africa together in the places where it has taken hold. This is what the author has seen with his own eyes and is relating to us.
Please explain how you believe that atheism would help Africa?
First of all, I am not advocating atheism for Africa. People should be free to believe what they want to believe in within the confines of a secular state. This premise is, however, impossible, given the unstable and corrupted governments in most African nations.
In countries such as Ethiopia, abuse against women is high because of the implementation of Syariah law. You can read the abuse in Aryaan Hirsi Ali's book, "The Caged Virgin".
The issue is not about morals, or even religion: Its about a continent with millions of hungry people dying and dropping like flies every single day. The statistics are appalling. Africa needs more Norman Borlaugs, not Benny Hinns or Rev Falwell.
Oh, if you don't know who Norman Borlaug is, google it. He's the greatest man who ever lived. No kidding.
Beast FCD
Take a moment to read this article:
http://atheisthaven.blogspot.com/2008/12/greatest-man-in-history.html
The greatest man in history: No, it ain't Jesus.
Norman Borlaug is the greatest man in history.
Beast FCD
Just to add on, you might want to help me with promoting Science, not Creationism.
http://atheisthaven.blogspot.com/2009/01/lets-defend-science-for-sake-of-our.html
After all, Science will save Africa, not religion. Defend Science for a better and brighter future.
Beast FCD
"Norman Borlaug is the greatest man in history."
That article does nothing to explain how atheism would benefit Africa.
Please, explain how atheism would change the minds of the dictators and their armies of murderers that already believe that there is no authority above them which will punish them?
http://www.americablog.com/2009/01/rick-warren-sidekick-demanded-that-all.html
Check this out: See what Rick Warren's friend is doing in Africa (Hint: He wants to send gays into prison!!!)
Beast FCD
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