It’s not for me to say why every single atheist ended up where he is. My guess is “wishful thinking,” since in my dark times I’ve wished that way, too. As I’ve written here before, atheist materialism can seem positively appealing in certain situations:
- When I’m tempted to despair of my salvation, afraid that I won’t make the “not-Hell place.” (I’m afraid that’s the extent of my mental picture of heaven, though I’m hoping for beagles.)
- When someone presents what seems like a compelling argument that only a tiny percentage of all humans are saved.
- Or when I find it difficult to laugh off religious assertions that fail my “brimstone test” That is, the point at which one says, If that were really what Christianity taught, I’d lose faith in the whole thing. In fact, I’d actively hope that it wasn’t true.
At moments like these, my little Darwin emerges and whispers reassuringly: “Maybe it’s all nonsense. Maybe we just get born and then … just die. Endless, dreamless sleep, where nothing matters and you have nothing to fear.”
Sorry, Fellas
No such luck, though. Reading Eric Metaxas’ new book, Is Atheism Dead? drove a stake through the heart of that grim hope. There is simply too much evidence, emerging from cosmology, biology, and biblical archaeology, making nonsense of quaint 19th-century claims by the likes of Darwin, Marx, and Freud. See Eric’s book for the details on all those subjects, however. He recounts them with verve and brio, and sends you to the sources to learn more for yourself.
I just want to address one gaping hole in the credibility of basic atheist arguments on the most central topic possible, and show how their worldview is a snake that eats its own tail, then simply vanishes, Poof! into nothingness. Just special pleading and nonsense, and a willful rejection of truth.
This commonplace atheist, materialist claim is one that’s extremely familiar. In fact, it’s drilled into our heads by many authorities in our culture, to the point that even Christians might unconsciously half believe it. Or at least suspect that it’s true. It has the same superficial plausibility as “Four legs good, two legs bad!” to the critters in Animal Farm. Or “My body, my choice!” to the creatures in a women’s studies lounge. But like those slogans, it’s nonsense.
To show you that, I’ll defamiliarize this atheist claim, present it with a new light and different angle by means of analogy. That will strip it of the spurious credibility it gained by getting repeated by those with power, and expose its inner gibberish. Okay? Here goes.
“Science” Is Calling
Imagine your phone rings, and it’s an unfamiliar number. But your caller ID announces something impressive, like “Genius Grants Dispensing Division, Macarthur Foundation.” You can’t resist taking the call. So you answer, and the following conversation ensues.
Caller: “Hello, my name is Professor Paul Pennyfeather, of the MacArthur Foundation. And I have a very special message for you.”
You: “Me? Er, why?”
“Because our foundation exists to promote science, technology, social justice and public awareness. And there’s something you need to be aware of.”
“So you don’t have a grant for me or anything?”
“Of course not. You’re no genius. You’re just someone who answers phone calls from total strangers.”
“Guilty as charged, I guess. So what are you calling to tell me?”
“That all telephone service worldwide has gone down due to a targeted EMP blast, conducted by terrorists using stolen Chinese technology. Only the terrorists now have the power to make telephone calls, because of that same technology. We thought you deserved to know. In fact, we’re letting everyone know. Do not trust any phone calls you receive. They are terrorist propaganda, or worse.”
“But … how is this possible? You’re not in with the terrorists, using their same technology, are you?”
“No, of course not. This is a public service message, from one of the largest philanthropic foundations on earth. We’re only trying to protect the public from fraud and calls for panic.”
“So how are you making this call, if you’re not in with the terrorists?”
“Sir, I told you. We are the MacArthur Foundation.”
“But you just said that phone service is down, except for unreliable messages from terrorists.”
“Obviously, that does not apply to this phone call, Sir. Someone with a scientific education would realize that.”
“But how does Science have anything to do with this?”
“We consult with and fund some of the leading researchers on earth, and work closely with the faculty of the top universities in the U.S. and around the world. Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford professors serve on our consulting committees.”
“Yeah, but I don’t get how that’s relevant here. Based on what you yourself have said, I have no reason to trust you.”
“[Sighing] Your reaction here is disappointing but it doesn’t really surprise me. We have gotten similar answers from fundamentalist churches, extremist mosques, and people without college educations. I’m sorry to hear that you share their emotion-driven, anti-Science stance. I’m thankful that attitudes like yours do not prevail in public schools, so that at least the next generation will be exposed to a rational, evidence-based worldview.”
“But you contradicted yourself… .”
I’m an agnostic, not an atheist . But atheism is no “con game”. Organized religion, especially Christianity and Islam is the real con game . Religion is not about ethics and morality . It is all about controlling people in order to exploit them. Christianity invented the fairy tale of heaven and hell in order to frighten gullible , ignorant and poorly educated people into blindly following its dictates and keeping the pockets of the clergy lined with money .
And to some extent, it still does . Atheism is not an organization . It is merely lack of belief in a god or gods , and it is no more a religion than not collecting stamps is a hobby . While the vast majority of Christians are not evil or dangerous people, there is a tiny but extremely vociferous group of fanatical , appallingly narrow-minded, intolerant and self-righteous people known as the religious right ,or the Christian Taliban .
They are determined to turn America, which is the most religiously diverse nation in world history , into a totalitarian Christian theocracy and police state which would not be much better than the Islamic theocracy of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan . The Christian Taliban now has far too much influence and power over the Republican party in Washington and around America, which should terrify any reasonable American who is opposed to tyranny of whatever kind .
And the brutal tyrannical communist regimes in Russia China and elsewhere in the 20th century may have been ruled by individuals such as Stalin,Mao , Fidel Castro and others , but these murderous tyrants did not slaughter millions of people because they were atheists, but because they were ruthless, power hungry men and sociopaths who showed no regard for human rights and the suffering of their people .
The vast majority of atheists are just normal people living normal lives who mean no one any harm .
Thanks Robert, at least your reply is well written and understandable. I did not understand the emphasis of this article which was written very poorly.
Based on my mathematical analysis and without to regard for the precepts of organized religions, I have concluded that the overwhelming probability is that God exists and that Jesus Christ was God made man. That said, I would never endorse a ‘Christian Taliban’. I would attempt to persuade, but never coerce. In my opinion, people are free to hold whatever religious belief they want including the right not to believe in God. I believe in the 1st amendment right of freedom of religion, despite the fact that U.S. law is primarily based on the Judeo-Christian tradition. I would however, make the one exception that the offering of human sacrifices to the gods in the manner of the ancient Aztecs should not be allowed.