"While most Americans seem content to ignore the real reason for the season—the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—certain groups around the country are intent on bringing the focus back to Jesus, albeit in a perverse sort of way. The American Humanist Association (AHA) is the proud sponsor of a city bus ad campaign in Washington, D.C., during this Christmas season that has as its centerpiece the slogan, “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness’ sake."
(reprinted from the article, "Tis the Season for Christian-bashing" at http://erlc.com/article/tis-the-season-for-christian-bashing?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email+marketing+software&utm_content=11701091&utm_campaign=%5bFaith+and+Family+Values%5d+12+17+08+_+yufll&utm_term='Tis+the+season+for+Christian-bashing)
Someone commented, asking why this was an attack. JT responded:
The phrase "Be good for goodness sake" didn't stand alone -- the advertisement began, "Why believe in a god?" So, the last phrase intends a goodness apart from that defined by God.
Considering its two parts, first, "Be good" must be defined. Who defines what is good? If you offend someone while driving, and he shoots you, he may judge your elimination as "good." I'm sure you or your wife and family would disagree. This is not such an extreme example, unfortunately. However, many less extreme illustrations aboud. Homosexuals may judge their relationship as "good." A man having an affair may see it as "good." "Good" must be defined. Scripture declares our God as Good. The God of the Bible -- the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Father of Jesus Christ -- He defines what is "good." He is the very definition of "good." Sin, in any form, is thus deemed NOT "good" (3 John v.11). A Christian tries to be "good" not based on his own definitions or feelings of such, but based on the eternal word and way of God. All our "goodness" apart from Christ is like a filthy rag (Isa 64:6).
The second phrase, "for goodness sake," is an equal problem when preceded by the opening phrase, "Why believe in a god?" If "good" is open to many definitions -- even conflicting definitions - then "for the sake of goodness" is equally ambiguous and problematic. Beyond that, it is the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ that should be the motivation for the life of believers. Any "goodness" we pursue should be for the glory of the Lord. Not for salvation's sake, not for humanity's sake, and certainly not for "goodness" sake -- whatever that is.
The original phrase is found in the song, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." While the notions of Santa and the tales surrounding that character may also be challenged by some believers as a threat to the belief system of children, they are generally accepted as part of a fictional set of tales surrounding the season. The modern use of the myths is generally to excite the minds of children -- not to steer the masses away from the sole source of salvation, redemption, and hope for eternal life.
Any followup in support of, "Why believe in a god?" is an attack on the core of Christianity. May the Lord bless you in your pursuit of Him.
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