For most of us, listening to Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends was an uncontested aspect of our childhood. Hearing Mum, or Dad, or our Teacher retell the same stories, which have been told to other children over literally centuries, and being enthralled by them, just as our forebears were, is part of our cultural heritage.
However there is a dimension to these Fairy Tales which gets up the nose of many Atheists. In a BBC interview Richard Dawkins (an angry atheist) expressed his displeasure at the inclusion of Fairy Tales in a child’s upbringing. He avers that we should encourage young minds to think analytically and scientifically. And not introduce notions of the ‘Supernatural’ to them in childhood, only to debunk them in adulthood.
Yet despite the berating of Atheists, the question which should be asked, after the vitriol has receded is, ‘Why are Myths and Fairy Tales commonly found in all cultures, and civilisations throughout human history?’
We all love a story with a supernatural element to it (you know; the princess and the frog, or a fire breathing dragons with wings). This is corroborated by the number of novels, Hollywood blockbusters and computer games that we consume, and that are based upon the ‘Supernatural’. They are not dissimilar in content to the stories which our ancestors told, and were taught sitting around the evening camp fire.
Eric Metaxas in his book ‘Miracles’ avers that the existence of Fairy Tales and Legends points to a deep yearning within all of us. That somewhere in the depths of our psyche, there is a feeling that we’ve been banished from an ideal world, a paradise and we’re in exile at the moment, away from our native homeland. These stories point to something beyond what we experience with our five senses, past the world in which we are trapped.
Consequently while believing in Santa Claus, can be dismissed as a childish fantasy, nonetheless the desire within each of us for a Santa Claus type figure cannot.
Christians, who customarily rush to grab the miracles of Jesus (Supernatural events) in order to wave them about like a placard at protest meeting, as evidence of His divinity (ie the miracles prove he is God), do us and non-believers a disservice.
Deeper, Richer
We need to look past the defence of His divinity, to a deeper and richer meaning. For the Jesus’ miracles herald something greater and are meant to satisfy the yearning inside each of us for something better, than the current world order.
The healing miracles point to a perfect world without disease, death or sorrow. The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cured, these miracles tell us that there is a world coming, where perfect health is enjoyed by all, and sickness is unheard of.
His miracles over the power of nature, stilling a storm, walking on water, and moving through walls into rooms with locked doors, disclose to us a preview of life, where our present physical limitations are removed, and where we once again live in accord with our environment and not against it.
The Supernatural aspect of Jesus’ life on earth, guarantees that the desire we feel for a better world is not some vacuous, childish whim, but instead shows that our longing for a utopian paradise is valid, and that our life in exile will one day end, and we shall return to our true home.
Meanwhile what of the Atheists? ,What hope or comfort can they offer to you? The answer is a resounding ‘none’.
Imagine with me, an Atheist, who dismisses Jesus’ miracles because they don’t meet his criteria of admissible evidence, standing on the precipice of space, calling out “Is there anybody out there?”. His voice echoes across the dark, vast expanse of the universe, waiting for a reply – but there is none - he concludes that we are alone in the universe. But what a terrifying and doleful prospect?
If this be the case we’re compelled to conclude that everything we do, every feeling of love we’ve had for our spouse or children, the joy or sorrow we’ve felt, and every act of kindness or injustice done is utterly meaningless.
As Bertrand Russell (an honest Atheist) so eloquently put it
“Brief and powerless is Man's life; on him and all his race the slow, sure doom falls pitiless and dark. Blind to good and evil, reckless of destruction, omnipotent matter rolls on its relentless way; for Man, condemned today to lose his dearest, tomorrow himself to pass through the gate of darknes”
Nothing to say
At the end of the day, Atheists although they have much to say, they really have nothing to say. They offer to us, a life doomed to be lived without hope and meaning, and then to pass through the gate of darkness.
Honestly who can live like that? It is so bleak, so grim, so despairing that it is just too much for us to bear. How can we not recoil from such a prospect? Every bone, nerve and muscle in our body protests against this notion. It rails against our innate belief in good and in beauty.
However God has made this promise ‘No eye has seen, no ear heard, what He has prepared for those who love him’. The choice is clear we can live a life without meaning, or one with hope, which one will it be?
Vic Matthews, has three degrees B.Optom, B.Arts& B. Christian Studies. He is a kiteboard tragic, who now works as a Christian Copywriter. He can be found at http://trustworthycopywriter.com/writing-services/christian-copywriter/
Vic Matthews' previous articles may be viewed http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/vic-matthews.html