Joy

Author Dennis Prager once asked a deeply religious man if he considered himself a pious person.[1] The man said he did not consider himself pious.  Why not? Dennis asked.  Did the man have some grievous sin in his life that kept him from being pious?  Here’s what the man said: he didn’t think he was pious because he wasn’t joyful enough.  A truly pious person, the man remarked, will be full of joy.  The man went on to suggest that the lack of joy of many Christians is actually a threat to the Christian faith.  In response, Dennis Prager wrote these words: He was right; in fact, unhappy religious people pose a real challenge to faith. If their faith is so impressive, why aren’t these devoted adherents happy? There are only two possible reasons: either they are not practicing their faith correctly, or they are practicing their faith correctly and the religion itself is not conducive to happiness. Most outsiders assume the latter reason. Unhappy religious people should therefore think about how important being happy is—if not for themselves, then for the sake of their religion. Unhappy, let alone angry, religious people provide more persuasive arguments for atheism and secularism than do all the arguments of atheists. That’s a challenging conclusion.  Perhaps it’s overstated.  Yet it does contain truth: Unhappy religious people provide more persuasive arguments for atheism and secularism than do all the arguments of atheists.  He’s saying that if Christianity is a true religion, then it must certainly produce abundant joy in the lives of those who follow it.  But since there are so many Christians who are not joyful people, it raises questions about the validity of the Christian faith.Read More »Famous Nameless: Receiving Joy Like Common Shepherds (Lk. 2:8-20) Chris Altrock – July 10, 2011