Do Barbers Exist

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed, and as the barber began to work they began a good conversation. They talked about many things and various subjects, but when they eventually touched on the subject of faith the barber said, “I don't believe that God exists”. “Why do you say that?”, asked the customer. “Well, the barber explained, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. If God exists why are there so many sick people, and why are there so many abandoned children: If God existed, there would be no suffering or pain in the world. I can't imagine a loving God 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 as the customer left the barbershop he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer quickly turned back and as he entered the barbershop again he said to the barber, “You know what, I don't believe that barbers exist.” “How can you say that?”, asked the surprised barber, “I am here, and I am a barber, and I just cut your hair!” “No”, the customer explained, “Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with long dirty hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside the window.” “Ah, but barbers do exist", insisted the barber, "that's what happens when people do not come to me.”

 

“Exactly!”, affirmed the customer, “That's the point! God exists too, and the reason why there's so much pain and suffering in the world is that people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help.”