Why The Atheist Has Far More Faith Than I

There are a number of popular books by modern-day atheists like Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris. These new atheists are convinced that religion shouldn’t be tolerated. Instead it should be openly countered, criticized, exposed, and mocked if necessary.

They have legions of fans. And those who follow their teachings are now emboldened to post billboards, ads on the sides of bunches, and open mock Christianity.

I’m not afraid of their arguments or their pronouncements. I’ve had many discussions with those who stand opposed to faith and haven’t withered from one point. In the Public Square, I would much rather hear an argument than watch someone slither away in apathy. And, truth in the end wins.

Many of their arguments center on religions negatives — those who took up a sword in Jesus name, or who bombed a building because they heard God’s voice. And they think Christians have taken all the fun out of sex. (Little do they know!) Despite their examples of the “godly” going bad, there is little evidence that godlessness is good for humanity.

I wonder about the quiet. But after these speakers give their speeches, listen to the mockers wag their tongues and shake their heads, what do they hear in their heart of hearts?

How do they shake the haunting emptiness in their soul? What do they fill it with? Learning? Materialism? Humanism? Hedonism? Selfishness?

When they look at the stars at night, do they ever wonder “what is at the edge of space?” When they contemplate the bookends of our existence, do they ever think “when did time begin? And when will it end?” Do they ever wonder, “Who am I?”

Writing for The Week, Damon Linker has an article called, “Where are the Honest Atheists?” He writes this stunning paragraph.

Learning that we’re alone in the universe, that no one hears or answers our prayers, that humanity is entirely the product of random events, that we have no more intrinsic dignity than non-human and even non-animate clumps of matter, that we face certain annihilation in death, that our sufferings are ultimately pointless, that our lives and loves do not at all matter in a larger sense, that those who commit horrific evils and elude human punishment get away with their crimes scot free — all of this (and much more) is utterly tragic

While they hold my faith up as foolishness, theirs takes a serious turn to a bleak and empty world — one which none of us experiences.

The bottom line — God won’t go away.