Frogs and Princes

RICHARD Dawkins wants parents to stop reading fairy tales to their children.

He argues that these stories encourage children to believe in the improbable.

He gives as an example the highly improbable story of a frog becoming a prince.

Do we actually believe that frogs can become princes?

I think not.

It’s just a story and most children would say the same.

Professor Dawkins would argue that God’s existence is highly improbable.

On a scale of one to seven, where one is a believer and seven is an atheist, he describes himself as 6.9.

I would suggest he is very sceptical about England’s chances in the World Cup.

If we believe that England could win, would Professor Dawkins say we believe in fairy tales?

You would have to say that England’s chances are improbable but not impossible.

What a boring world it would be if people did not have dreams of seemingly impossible things.

What were people saying to the Wright brothers 110 years ago?

Something like, if God wanted people to fly he would have given them wings.

Have we lost our sense of imagination?

I would say we have lost our sense of God.

We don’t have to imagine him.

I believe he’s there.

Of course we cannot see him, but the Holy Spirit is working in our world, moving people to do what may seem impossible things.

On Pentecost Sunday a few days ago we celebrated how a group of frightened people went out into the streets and spoke of God’s wonderful deeds.

A few days ago two Ethiopians came to our church in Stroud to speak of how, with the help of CAFOD and other charities, crops were being grown in arid land.

The impossible is possible.

Nothing is impossible to God.

Is not this the meaning of the fairy tale of the frog who becomes a prince?

He was always a prince.

It took the princess’ kiss to release him, to allow him to become himself.

It takes our love to achieve the miracles God has in store for us.

Come on England!