In a new twist in billboard advertising, ads proclaiming, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," will appear on Washington, D.C., buses starting next week and running through December. The American Humanist Association unveiled the provocative $40,000 holiday ad campaign back in November.

The ads feature a man dressed in a Santa Claus suit, with his arms raised as if asking the above question.

According to the group paying for the advertisements, their purpose isn't to argue God doesn't exist or change minds about a deity, although they, "...are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."

The notion of being good for goodness sake might seem great. However, upon further examination, two people, or two societies, might come to opposite conclusions about what exactly good is. How do we know which good is the correct good?

Terrorists planting an explosive device in an Israeli bus surely must think that what they are doing is good and beautiful. Their notion of good is wrong, isn't it? How do we know?

From a religious perspective, specifically a Jewish religious perspective, goodness is not subjective-it is God in heaven above who revealed His will to us in Torah, as interpreted through rabbinic decree, that helps us to determine what is good. Through study and mastery of these values, we all hope and aspire to be good. And Godly.

My best to you and your family for a festive Hanukkah celebration.

Keith Miller
Hazzan
Director of Education