As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God

Before Christmas I returned, after 45 years, to the country that as
a boy I knew as Nyasaland. Today it’s Malawi, and The Times Christmas
Appeal includes a small British charity working there. Pump Aid helps
rural communities to install a simple pump, letting people keep their
village wells sealed and clean. I went to see this work.

It
inspired me, renewing my flagging faith in development charities. But
travelling in Malawi refreshed another belief, too: one I’ve been
trying to banish all my life, but an observation I’ve been unable to
avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs,
stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing
belief that there is no God.

Now a confirmed atheist, I’ve
become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism
makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs,
government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not
do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity
changes people’s hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The
rebirth is real. The change is good.

I used to avoid this truth
by applauding – as you can – the practical work of mission churches in
Africa. It’s a pity, I would say, that salvation is part of the
package, but Christians black and white, working in Africa, do heal the
sick, do teach people to read and write; and only the severest kind of
secularist could see a mission hospital or school and say the world
would be better without it. I would allow that if faith was needed to
motivate missionaries to help, then, fine: but what counted was the
help, not the faith.

But this doesn’t fit the facts. Faith does
more than support the missionary; it is also transferred to his flock.
This is the effect that matters so immensely, and which I cannot help
observing.

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God | Matthew Parris – Times Online.