Angelina K. Morrison

Even if the supposed research of this searching young woman were true, it matters little. Yes, whether Christ has been made-up or not matters little; and I will explain why.

As a recap, the musician Belinda Ekua Amoah—or Mzbel as she is popularly known—in a conversation on Restoration With Stacy, when quizzed about her belief in Jesus Christ, stated: "I don't want to offend anybody. I used to believe in 'it' but I did my own research and I think 'it' was made-up but I might be wrong. The same story 5000 years ago happened in Egypt..." She went on to add, "I used to believe in 'it'. I prayed in tongues ... but now trust me, I will not believe in it anymore."

We must respect the young woman's right to choose what she likes to believe. It is her exclusive territory we are not licensed to trample upon. Even her delivery shows that she extends a modicum of deference to those she knows will be offended by her comments. And likewise, I will strive to return the courtesy to her. After all, we can agree to disagree in a spirit of fragrant decorum and stainless civility.

Firm Conviction

A fictitious religion will not merely shake but totter under the weight of divergent public opinion. Nonetheless, genuine Christianity has stood the test of time, and will continue to endure the most stringent challenge to its veracity. Even if notable people choose to abandon it, Christianity will endure as long as our little race remains. Yes, people are leaving the church, but equally true is that the doors of opportunity have swung open for many to continue flooding into its fold.

My firm conviction is that Christianity will last because it is not man-made—it is God-ordained, an act of divine institution and providence. Solomon has an important reminder to would-be critics: "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him" (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

Over the years, people have willingly died for the faith because they were convinced beyond doubt about its veritability. Harrowing pains and revolting deaths that martyrs experienced, and several others continue to endure, demonstrate that life goes much deeper than sticks and stones. Indeed, the senses and sensations cannot be fully decimated.

If Belinda Ekua Amoah read or watched and was able to synthesis information to convince her of her new position; on the hand, there are countless others who have read the Bible and gone on to fortify and solidify their belief in Jesus Christ.

Losing Little

Many times I have circumrotated on the relevant question of how different my life would be, if I was not a Christian. Yes, how marked the difference would be, has been an occupying thought.

When I have given wings to my fancy and imagined a life without Christ, I have always converged at the point that my life would be much different. However, compared with my ideal life, a life in Christ aligns in perfect syzygy. And there is a solid reason for holding such a firm position.

As an example, I ask myself: If I do not drink because of my walk with Christ, and I am spared from cirrhosis; how much do I lose? What visible pleasure from alcohol tramps a healthy functioning liver?

If I don't gamble my fortunes away thanks to my religion; how much am I worse off? Wouldn't compulsive gamblers love to turn back the clock on what has become an unbreakable addiction?

If I don't break my wedding vows owing to my love for Christ (John 14:15), and I avoid STDs and romantic mess ups; how worse can it get?

And if I decide to give my money to a church because I believe in what it does; how different is that from others who give their money to causes they believe in? Don't unbelievers give money to charities they are passionate about?

What do unbelievers do and have that I am losing out on? Show me one benefit that I am missing out on because of my belief in Jesus Christ. What exactly does the world have to offer me? And if my life is quieter and more peaceful because of my relationship with Christ; how can I be expected to live a better life? Let compos mentis Homo sapiens sit down and observe life critically, and see that some who choose to believe in Christ do so, for a far superior reason after surveying the field. For such people, it is not a careless imposition but one reached after careful thought, considered evidence and deep conviction.

When people complain that Christianity has been used to enslave us, and that even those who brought Christianity are deserting the faith, so we should do likewise; I seriously wonder. We must learn the sensible act of separating the concepts of religion from those who misapply such concepts.

I love to think—it is pleasurable fun—and I have written and will continue to write about development, not just for Ghana but for the whole continent. In reality, I do so, owing to the same faith that many criticise.

Evidence Beyond Doubt

Mzbel says she has done her research. We must give her the benefit of the doubt. However, anybody who dabbles in, or trades polemic arguments will concede that in our day, we can find evidence for everything. Yes, give me any topic, and I will find you statistics to support a certain position.

However, there is a more powerful argument than just what someone has written about. The apostles told us something important: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, —which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:1-3).

Today, there are varying attacks on the Christian faith. In our world of free speech, anybody can say what pleases them. Such is what free speech has become. Yet, on a more personal note, what can never be taken from me is my own experienced transformation. Meeting Christ and the change that he has effected in my life can never be expunged either by illimitable denunciations or convoluted statistics or research.

Let all the celebrities or famous people gather and sing from Mzbel's hymn sheet, or she should furnish the whole world with her research (aspects of which I have read about and rightly dismissed); I will never waver in my faith in Jesus Christ. The soul has never yet been born who wields the redactional arsenal to change what has transpired in my own life. It is the best transformational evidence that will stay with me till my last sun sets, and I end up slumbering in a grassy God's acre, if Christ tarries.

My faith is not predicated upon what somebody says or believes. And saying this, I must rightly warn my fellow brethren who do not have a personal testimony and whose faith is founded upon public opinion or discourse. We don't believe in Christ because some celebrities or educated folk do, or tell us to do so. True faith that lasts must be forged through personal experiences. Anything short and we risk tergiversating the faith either in the short-term or long-term.

So Mzbel can say what she believes; it is her prerogative. While I believe that the young lady's shadow has darkened the doors of doubt, that is if she has not fully entered; I respect her right to careen off the course. I only pray that she re-examines her research, and also perhaps refreshes her memory whether the smoke she mentioned was a case of her hallucinating, or she truly had a life-transforming experience.

Anybody finding their faith shaken because somebody has a lapse of faith—and consequently turns their back on it—should examine themselves and see whether they were in the faith at all.

And to those who sidle off the expected path, not only did the Bible perceive they will, but it also captures the reason for such missteps: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:19).

To all who have met Jesus Christ, and have a solid testimony of such true experiences: Keep the faith, and leave the doubters to go on doubting. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).

Let me resume work on my next piece Africa Needs Change, Not Aid (2).

I shall return with my talking drums.

NB: All texts from the King James Version of The Holy Bible.

Angelina K. Morrison is interested in national development, true religion, and self-improvement. She enjoys thinking, and writes stories only when the muse grips her. Her first short story for public consumption is available for free at Amazon on 27th & 28th February 2015. Strangely titled Gravellatina, it is part of a breathtaking five series she calls "short and sweet." You will be gripped. You can email her at angelinakm75@gmail.com, or find her at www.angelinakmorrison.wordpress.com.