Proof of Existence
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of G-d, the barber said: “I don’t believe that G-d exists.” “
Why do you say that?” asked the customer.
“Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that G-d doesn’t exist.
Tell me, if G-d exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If G-d existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.
I can’t imagine a loving G-d who would allow all of these things.” The customer thought for a moment, but didn’t respond because he didn’t want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.
The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: “You know what? Barbers do not exist.”
“How can you say that?” asked the surprised barber. “I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!” “No!” the customer exclaimed. “Barbers don’t exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.”
“Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens, is people do not come to me.” “Exactly!”- affirmed the customer. “That’s the point! G-d, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don’t go to Him and do not look for Him.”
I have always enjoyed these little parables, I think that they are simple with a strong message. Regardless of whether you believe in G-d or not I think the real message here is that it is up to you to go out and do things to help the world.
You’ll never convince everyone that G-d exists, but you don’t have to rely on G-d to try and engage in some simple acts to make life better for you and everyone around you. Start small and big things will come of it.
Pragmatician January 2, 2006 at 8:42 am
If the point of this story were to be taken seriously, it would imply that every religious person(looking for G-D) would know of no ills.
That’s not the case as far as I know.
Leifson January 2, 2006 at 5:46 am
The first short meaningful and ispiring story that I have read for my new year. Maybe the point is not about G-d, it is probably about the Faith. If you got faith in something, then it does exist. If you don’t, then you won’t even see it if it is right in front of your face, because you have already blinded yourself before you give yourself a chance to see it.
Thank you for such a good story. I enjoy it alot!
Jack's Shack January 2, 2006 at 4:51 am
Hi Pearl,
It is an old story but I have always enjoyed it.
torontopearl January 2, 2006 at 4:46 am
Very good story to carry away with us from blogland.
Interestingly, when you first mentioned the long-haired, bearded man who was outside, I immediately envisioned Jesus.
And then I read the end of the story about G-d’s existence…Weird.