An Atheist Recommends God
Matthew Francis Parris was born in Johannesburg, South Africa (1949). He obtained a Law degree from the University of Cambridge and studied at Yale University. He was the correspondence secretary to Margaret Thatcher and served in Parliament (1979-1986). He eventually left politics to pursue a career in journalism. arris is a prolific writer who has authored many books on politics and travel. He is also a homosexual and an atheist.
Rusty Wright, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Duke) and a Master of Theology degree (Oxford) and Meg Korpi, who has a PhD from Stanford University, wrote an article about Parris that appeared in the Times of London. In the article, Parris is quoted as saying, “As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God.” He argues, “Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa’s biggest problem – the crushing passivity of the people’s mindset.”
Parris traveled to Africa to cover a story for the Times about a secular organization that helped provide clean water to rural communities. He
discovered that several of its “most impressive” African representatives were devoted followers of Jesus. That encounter evoked memories for him. It refreshed a belief he said he had “been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I’ve been unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no 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.”
Parris observed, “The Christians were always different.” Their faith seemed to have “liberated and relaxed them.” The article in the Times states, “They (the Christians) exhibited (to Parris) a liveliness, curiosity, engagement and directness that seemed absent in traditional African life. The Christian Pump Aid workers he met stood out for their honesty, diligence, and optimism. Parris bemoans tribalism for fostering an attitude of fear and ‘exaggerated respect for a swaggering leader.’ He credits Christianity’s emphasis on a direct, personal relationship with God for encouraging an individuality that can help ‘cast off a crushing tribal groupthink. That is why and how it liberates.’”
In Sermon of the Mount, Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they [that is, unbelieving men] may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). Critics claim that Christianity produces and promotes groupthink. Religion masquerading as Christianity might, but Biblical Christianity crushes “tribal groupthink.” It transforms, liberates, and relaxes people. True Christianity, “direct, personal relationship with God,” shines so brightly, even some blind atheists can see it!
© G. Michael Cocoris, 11/26/2001
Rusty Wright, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Duke) and a Master of Theology degree (Oxford) and Meg Korpi, who has a PhD from Stanford University, wrote an article about Parris that appeared in the Times of London. In the article, Parris is quoted as saying, “As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God.” He argues, “Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa’s biggest problem – the crushing passivity of the people’s mindset.”
Parris traveled to Africa to cover a story for the Times about a secular organization that helped provide clean water to rural communities. He
discovered that several of its “most impressive” African representatives were devoted followers of Jesus. That encounter evoked memories for him. It refreshed a belief he said he had “been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I’ve been unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no 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.”
Parris observed, “The Christians were always different.” Their faith seemed to have “liberated and relaxed them.” The article in the Times states, “They (the Christians) exhibited (to Parris) a liveliness, curiosity, engagement and directness that seemed absent in traditional African life. The Christian Pump Aid workers he met stood out for their honesty, diligence, and optimism. Parris bemoans tribalism for fostering an attitude of fear and ‘exaggerated respect for a swaggering leader.’ He credits Christianity’s emphasis on a direct, personal relationship with God for encouraging an individuality that can help ‘cast off a crushing tribal groupthink. That is why and how it liberates.’”
In Sermon of the Mount, Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they [that is, unbelieving men] may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). Critics claim that Christianity produces and promotes groupthink. Religion masquerading as Christianity might, but Biblical Christianity crushes “tribal groupthink.” It transforms, liberates, and relaxes people. True Christianity, “direct, personal relationship with God,” shines so brightly, even some blind atheists can see it!
© G. Michael Cocoris, 11/26/2001