A recent advertising campaign in the United Kingdom caught my attention. A comedy writer in London noticed that the local buses often carried messages for faith in God.

Ariane Sherine came up with the idea after seeing a series of Christian posters on London buses. She said she visited the Web site promoted on one ad and found it told nonbelievers they would spend eternity in torment in hell.

I wrote about that very topic in my most recent post. I was first exposed to a faith that created fear of damnation instead of grace and relationship. Ms.Sherine continues:

“I thought it would be a really positive thing to counter that by putting forward a much happier and more upbeat advert, saying ‘Don’t worry, you’re not going to hell,'” said Sherine, 28. “Atheists believe this is the only life we have, and we should enjoy it.”

First of all, with all due respect to Ms Sherine’s intellect I cannot fully trust her assurance that I will not go to hell. That seems to be slightly above her pay grade as a comedian to decide eternal destinies. As for enjoying life I really wish that Ariane could spend some time here in scenic Garland. I can’t imagine that my days could include any more humor, laughs, fun and absolute delight. How sad that so many have that perception about Christians. Yet I can understand how it happens.

At any rate, the bus ads will have this “much happier and more upbeat advert”.

“There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” 

Well, I feel better. However, for the guy who always picks the wrong line at the supermarket, the wrong lane on the freeway and the wrong team for a friendly wager it is a bit unsettling to see even the atheists using the “probably” word. That actually makes me worry more. Probably?

Richard Dawkins (the mean spirited atheist and not the former game show host) had his usually positive take on people of faith.

“This campaign to put alternative slogans on London buses will make people think — and thinking is anathema to religion.”

Mr.Dawkins cracks me up. He must think all Christians are intellectually comparable to Homer Simpson.

I have invested much of my life and a considerable amount of my resources into my faith but I never really thought much about it? That makes a lot of sense. Disagree with my conclusions but to say that thinking is anathema to my faith? Sighhhhh….

I would encourage my fellow sojourners of faith to not get our undergarments askew over this new advertising effort. This debate has been going on since the garden or, depending on your view, since our emergence from primordial ooze. In spite of best selling books and open disdain of religion it continues to flourish.

At times I believe the strongest apologetic for Christianity is that God keeps calling people to Himself in spite of Christians. Tomorrow we will look at the atheist campaign that is coming to America. In the meantime I am going to enjoy my life. I wasn’t worrying in the first place. I guess my ignorance is bliss. (Prediction: some website will take that line out of context. Book it.)