roomsix.com

We’ve all seen the ads: a young child sits in the dirt, clothes nothing more than torn, dirty rags, the eyes brimming with tears of despair and hopelessness. The small belly swollen with the effects of long-term neglect and starvation. The ad asks us to help by sending money to an organization that promises to help this child and others that are experiencing the horrors of poverty and war. Often these organizations are Christian-based, such as Christian Children’s Fund, which operates in 30 countries and serves the needs of over 4.6 million suffering children.

But my problem isn’t with these groups who, by all indications, do actually go out and try to improve the quality of life for these children through much needed community support, education and health care. No, my problem is with the credit for all this hard work going to God—as in people doing “God’s work”.

I often use these ads as a way of explaining humanism to those who ask about it. If we waited for God to answer our prayers for these children would they miraculously have food to eat that day? Would the water clear itself of pollution and the wars that ravage that country suddenly end? Would cultures that have entrenched child labour and other forms of abuse into their ways of life suddenly see the light of day? If every single person in the world stopped and prayed would it make one single bit of difference?

Of course not. It is only when we get together to help each other that anything happens. It is caring people who go to these countries and do their best to help their fellow humans. It is people who rebuild communities, stop wars, provide health care and teach others how to help themselves. It is people who respond in times of disaster and hardship. If we waited for God to start doing “God’s work” then we would be waiting a long time. Face it, he ain’t interested in the job.

So isn’t it time to stop giving him all the credit?