An Atheist and a Preacher

thirsty Sat 11 Jul 2009, 3:39 pm

A preacher and an atheistic barber were once walking through the area of slums in the city; suddenly barber started his talk with the preacher: "This is why I cannot believe in a God of love. If God was as kind as you say, He would not permit all this poverty, disease, and squalor. He would not allow these poor bums to be addicted to dope and other character-destroying habits. No, I cannot believe in a God who permits these things." The minister was silent until they met a man who was especially unkempt and filthy. His hair was hanging down his neck and he had a half-inch of stubble on his face, said the minister: "You must not be a very good barber because you wouldn't permit a man like that to continue living in this neighborhood without a haircut and shave." Indignantly the barber answered: "Why blame me for that man's condition? I can't help it that he is like that. He has never come in my shop; I could fix him up and make him look like a gentleman!" Preacher gave a penetrating look to barber, and then he said: "Don't blame God for allowing the people to continue in their evil ways, when He is constantly inviting them to come and be saved."