Why is it any more ennobling for someone to claim to be a person of faith rather than a person of doubt? I like people of doubt. I like people who question what the hell is going on. St. Thomas is my favorite apostle, even if he was wrong. Galileo smelled a rat, and he was right. It doesn’t matter what you believe; it only matters how you behave. Or as it so succinctly says in Christian scripture, “Faith without works is dead.” Believe what you like, but this is what I believe. God, if there is one, speaks and expresses Herself through a group of people who the great becardiganed philosopher Fred Rogers called “helpers.” […]
Helpers are people who try to make life more bearable for those who are suffering. They are people who try to clean up the mess, are tolerant of the weak-minded, and resist those who would exploit others for their pleasure or profit. […]
So if I have a religion it’s in appreciation of helpers, whoever they happen to be at the time. I’ve tried not believing in God, but that’s just as hard as swallowing all of the liturgical mumbo jumbo. I don’t know who or what composed our universe, but I’m not sure that matters anyway. I suspect that any real spiritual peace lies in simply being a decent human being. Or at least trying to be.
~ Craig Ferguson, from “The Helpers” in Riding the Elephant: A Memoir of Altercations, Humiliations, Hallucinations, and Observations (Blue Rider Press; May 7, 2019)
Portrait: AT&T Performance Arts Center
Live & Learn 
Sign me, trying to be a helper
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Me too!
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“I’ve tried not believing in God, but that’s just as hard.”
Exactly!
Love this so much. Thanks for sharing
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That line stopped me too. 😀
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WMS, WMS! Whatever your creed, just ‘do unto others….’
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WMS and WLS
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Love Craig Ferguson and his philosophy of life. Life is serious enough without taking it too seriously 😉
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Agree with all that!
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Something to think about … ‘So if I have a religion it’s in appreciation of helpers, whoever they happen to be at the time. I’ve tried not believing in God, but that’s just as hard as swallowing all of the liturgical mumbo jumbo. I don’t know who or what composed our universe, but I’m not sure that matters anyway. I suspect that any real spiritual peace lies in simply being a decent human being. Or at least trying to be.’ Craig Ferguson, from “The Helpers” in Riding the Elephant: A Memoir of Altercations, Humiliations, Hallucinations, and Observations.
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I agree with every word of this
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Me too!
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Thank you for this Sunday morning gift. It feels like a blessing from the God who may or may not be real, from the Universe’s creator, whatever/whomever she may be or not be.
My heart is happy. My mind is still. All is well with my soul, at least…. for this moment in evolution. ❤
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Agree with all that Louise. And I need to catch a bit if that mind is still phenomenon. :).
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Here’s to the helpers! May we all be one…
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Here here!
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I really like what I hear about this guy. And I realise I don’t have to agree to everything and still can find someone highly likeable…. 😉
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Yes. Agree. And he’s landed in a very good place.
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IF I had no doubts I wouldn’t need faith.. Your premise is flawed
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Appreciate your point of view.
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I always try to help people
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Me too Joanne
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This reminds of what Mary Oliver always teaches us in her poems, to live in wonder and awe with life and each other. When we think we know, we deviate from presence and wisdom. 🙏🏻
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Deep! For Monday morning. My head is still chewing on your wisdom. Thanks!
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God helps those who help others. Sounds nice, but it’d never catch on.
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Laughing. We can only hope! 🙂
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This is awesome David. Must share!
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It is Ilona. Thank you.
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