Do Barbers Exist? A Witty Answer to Atheism
Suffering Exists—But So Does God. Here’s Proof.
A man went to a barber shop to get a haircut.
As the barber began to cut his hair, the two engaged in a social conversation. They spoke on several topics and discussed various subjects. Eventually they embarked on the subject of God.
The barber said: I don't believe God exists.
Man Surprised: Why do you say that?
Barber: Well, you just have to look around to realize that God doesn't exist. For, if God existed would there be so many sick people? Would there be so much violence and killing in the world? Would there be so much suffering and pain? I can't imagine how God (if He existed), would allow so much misery in the world.
The man thought of an appropriate response to that statement, but finally decided not to say anything for fear of starting an unpleasant argument. After the barber had finished his job, the man paid for the service and left the shop.
Just as he was heading out of the shop, he saw an old beggar on the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. The old beggar looked dirty and unkempt. Seeing him, the man got an idea and instead of leaving the barber shop, went back in and proclaimed - I don't believe barbers exist!!!
Now it was the Barber's turn to be surprised. He demanded to know as to why would that man make such an obviously incorrect statement when, he had just a few minutes back personally used the barber's service.
The man reiterated, 'Barbers don't exist'.
Upon the barber's insistence, the man pointed to the old beggar on the street and said - If barbers existed, why would there be that old beggar, with long unkempt hair and untrimmed beard? The barber, laughed out loud and explained that the old beggar's state was not caused by the fact that barbers don't exist but because people such as him don't go to barbers!!
The man replied: On the same token, there is so much pain and misery in the world, not because God does not exist but because people do not go to God and seek refuge/shelter under His lotus feet.
MORAL
Just as the barber rendered his services to whoever came to the barber shop, similarly God takes care of those who surrender to Him. Unlike the barber, God does not charge a fee for His services. He does it ONLY because He is gracious by nature. Scriptures say that for the rest of the people who don't surrender to God, God sits in their heart and notes their actions and acts as a judge.