In Manila, after weeks of being bombarded with news about the scandalous mis-use of taxes by government officials in high places and after th massive destruction by natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons I read this from the Philippine Star: “Atheist  mega-churches take root across US, world”.

This atheist group attended more than an hour of music, an inspirational sermon, a reading and some quiet reflection. The only thing missing was God. This was reported.

This group does not want religion. At age 70 I may find not joining religion convenient but not the above version. I would welcome not having to go to chuch, negotiating a thousand or so steps with my cane. I wouldn’t miss at all the sermon which usually scolds and castigates those who went out of their way to go to church. Music? Not in our parish. I’m sure the parents and relatives of the children who join the choir are proud of the church music but I find it a distraction to my efforts to pray, to thank and to worship.

But doing away with God is an entirely different matter for me. Who would listen to my fears and anxieties if there is no God? With whom do I bargain if there is no God? Who can grant my many petitions other than a Supreme Being? Above all, only God will bother to take care of those atheists who don’t believe in HIM.