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Controversial ads promote free thinking
You’ve probably seen or heard about the latest controversial ad campaign, organized by the Freethought Association of Canada, an umbrella group for atheists, skeptics, humanists and agnostics that has been advertising on public transit systems across the country.
Here at Ryerson we are no strangers to groups challenging the beliefs of students. With yearly debates on “Does God Exist?” the notion of worrying about challenging the status quo has long since passed. On a campus as diverse as ours, in a nation as inclusive as ours, the idea that there is no God has been something that many have wrestled with since first-year English courses, if not long before.
But the Freethought ads struck a different chord. “There is probably no God.
Now stop worrying and enjoy your life,” seems to have, somehow, caused religious groups to get up in arms about the message. Just what exactly are these groups worried about?
As one of the ever-shrinking number of openly Christian university students, I’m no stranger to having my views challenged.
I’ve had many in-depth conversations about belief versus doubt with a devoutly atheist friend of mine, and instead of being angered by the discussions, I have found they reaffirm my beliefs by helping me question aspects of my faith.
My faith may be a quiet one, but it’s one of my most deeply held convictions. While I have never marched for God or gone on a mission overseas, I have a devout belief in Christianity, planted by my great-grandmother.
I have always believed, but I have never been a right-wing fundamentalist. In fact, I would guess most people have no idea of my personal beliefs. They are my own, not forced on me or brainwashed into my being.
In truth, I haven’t been to an organized church service in several years and my particular beliefs in Christianity are, on the whole, extremely liberal. But I do believe in God – always have. And yet, these ads do not offend me in the least.
It’s doubtful that entire religious groups will instantly become atheist or agnostic upon seeing the ads. There is nothing new here, other than having the message “stop worrying” splashed on the subway. And really, in these times, it’s mildly reaffirming to hear someone say “stop worrying,” no matter the context.
And in many ways, the “controversial” message does a world of good for members of any faith. It pushes us all to face the question, “Is there a God?” Some will dismiss it without a second thought, relying on a deep faith and not wondering what life would be like without that belief.
But for others it will allow for a moment of reflection, a time to look within themselves and test their convictions. The ads are no true test of faith, but they open a dialogue for discussion on a topic otherwise rarely explored in modern Canadian society, and especially on campus.
We live in a society that allows us each to have our own deeply held personal beliefs, to celebrate them and to express them publicly. These ads do no more and no less than that; they proclaim a point of view and seek to challenge others about their faith.
There is nothing more important than a diplomatic and thoughtful discussion between religious camps. Without being marred by overzealous emotional responses, the discussion of faith within our society, especially within the Canadian context, is necessary for our growth as a whole.
We will all never believe the same thing, but we can respect and learn and identify with each other’s personal struggles with faith. People fear what they don’t understand and many people of faith fear doubting messages simply because they do not understand what being an atheist, agnostic or skeptic is actually about. They are not immoral, heinous people. They just question believing in God.
In our rush to accommodate multiculturalism and surface-level inclusiveness, we often disregard the personal beliefs of our friends and members of our community because it’s something so hidden. Yet it is the cause of so much heartache and bloodshed from the dawn of time to today.
Maybe atheists and others have the right idea. Yet, instead of fundamentalists stamping their feet and calling blasphemy, perhaps they should take a passage from the advertisements themselves and reaffirm their own faith.
Religion brings joy, peace and fulfilment for many, who should be able to happily declare, “There is a God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”
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