The Christian Placebo

An article by Drew    2 Comments

Have you read the article that’s circulating at the moment in which self proclaimed atheist, Matthew Parris argues cogently that Africa needs God?

“Now a confirmed atheist, I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. 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.” (Matthew Parris from TIMES ONLINE 27/12/08)

Parris goes on to argue that tribalism and traditional beliefs stunt the individualism and initiative of African people, leading to passivity and inaction. Christianity, Parris states, liberates and energizes its African adherents, allowing them to be more confident, and proactive, enabling them to stand tall.

Matthew Parris is a pundit well worth reading. Born and raised in Africa, Parris earned a first class law degree from Cambridge and an International Relations degree from Yale. He’s been a conservative MP in Britain, a well known radio and TV personality and a successful marathon runner. He’s now 60, gay and acclaimed as a writer and journalist.

As Christians we tend to wriggle with pleasure, like a patted puppy, when someone of this stature applauds our faith. “How cool is that…he’s in the enemy camp but he’s affirming our side.” But should we value an endorsement from someone who believes that Christianity is an effective fraud?

Karl Marx once stated that religion is the opiate of the masses – a drug to keep them happy and compliant. Parris surely is going further suggesting that Christianity is a placebo…a drug with no actual benefit which still has positive effects because people believe it to be the real thing.

By denying the existence of God, Parris rejects the very foundation of Christianity. The Creator/God – just, loving and compassionate, is at the core of our faith. We believe Jesus to be the ultimate revelation of this God. We try (and often fail) to follow Jesus, building a relationship with our real and living Lord which is empowering, challenging and deeply fulfilling. It’s not an add-on but is our reason for being what we are and doing what we do.

This is the essential truth that Matthew Parris misses in his otherwise excellent article. If Christianity were just a placebo it could not have the life changing, community and nation changing power that it does. If Christianity were not the real deal it would not be still growing after 2000 years, it would not be giving ordinary people the strength and motivation to live lives of extraordinary courage and self sacrifice.

Mr. Parris, Africa does not need a god who is a “philosophical/spiritual framework” it needs to encounter the real God who gives us wholeness, meaning and direction. Mind you the western world, which has thoroughly fallen to the “malign fusion of Nike and the mobile phone”, needs God just as much as you and I. Thirsting souls worldwide find in God the water of life which is real and good. Taste it my brother. Come and drink.

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