Thinkers’ Park

Here’s a story that tells you something about yourself. Are you a theist, or an atheist?

The theists, atheists and the saint story:

Once the head of a village invited a saint to deliver a sermon. But he wasn’t willing. After persistent coaxing, the saint agreed. The msg was spread across the village, and a big crowd came and sat waiting for the saint.

The saint arrived and asked just one question ” How many of you believe in God”. Non raised their hand. He said, “well, if all of you are atheist, what’s my job here?”.. and walked away.

The village head was disturbed, thinking that the saint was offended. He ordered the villagers to raise hands if the saint asked the same question again. The saint was requested to kindly visit again.

The saint came, and asked the crowd “how many of you believe in God”? As planned, all the members of the crowd raised their hands. Seeing that he responded “If all of you are believers, then what’s my job here?” and walked away..

This time even the villagers were disturbed. So they planned out, that next time half of us will raise our hands. The saint was invited again..

As usual, the saint arrived, and asked ” so this time how many of you believe in God?. Bingo.. as per the master plan.. only half of the crowd raised their hands. The saint responded.. “well, the half that believes try to convince the other half that doesn’t. What’s my job here?” and walked away..

=================

Did this saint just walked away? Or did he deliver a sermon? He did. Profoundly.. indeed. He delivered the lesson.. that people in general are neither 100% believers, nor 100 % atheists. Within each of us, there is a voice that “believes”, and there is another that “doubts”.