Comedian George Carlin passed away. I remember a number of years back hearing for the first time Carlin talked about his unbelief. He said, "But I want you to know something, this is sincere, I want you to know, when it comes to believing in God, I really tried. I really, really tried. I tried to believe that there is a God, who created each of us in His own image and likeness, loves us very much, and keeps a close eye on things. really tried to believe that…"
Later in the same routine, he told Bible readers about other literary works they should consider reading. He recommended Humpty Dumpty. He said, "And finally, I've always drawn a great deal of moral comfort from Humpty Dumpty. The part I like the best? 'All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again.' That's because there is no Humpty Dumpty, and there is no God. None. Not one. No God. Never was."
I don't know who influenced Carlin in regard to his understanding of Jesus, the Father who sent Jesus to save, and the church. Carlin, like many others, had a picture of God that is far from the real God. I'm sorry for that.
Carlin commented, "Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time! But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more."
Carlin was vocal about his ideas of Jesus. He was not a quiet disbeliever. He spoke about his unbelief and his gift for comedy gave him a large audience. There are many more like him, however, who do not speak about their unbelief to audiences of thousands. Some of them live in the Bible belt. Their homes are between the homes of people who do believe, at least in word. These unbelievers are watching what the believers do, and they are developing their concept of what God is about from what they see and hear in the believers. That's important for us to know. That's Life at Work!
What can you do to enlighten your neighbors about the true nature of God?
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