Facing West across the Washington Mall, with one's back towards the United States Capitol. The Washington Monument and Lincoln memorial are visible in the background. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Saturday, March 24, 2012 the Reason Rally was held at the National Mall as thousands met to exhibit their atheism. The question that is running through my mind is why? Why would anyone spend time, money, and energy to attack that in which you do not believe. I know that the retort to someone like me is that they are not fighting against God, they are fighting against people like me who “brainwash” our children into believing in the superstition of a God who created all of this. After all, it is much more reasonable to believe that the universe and all it contains just happened. It is perfectly within reason to believe that thousands of tiny motors are running in our cells all of the time (ATP Synthase Enzyme) and that it was basically just a matter of chance. Watch the incredible video of this tiny motor to see how unreasonable it is for me to believe in God who is the Creator and Sustainer of life:
Now, back to my original question, why? Why spend time, money, and energy to fight that in which you do not believe? If you were going to spend time, money, and energy to attack God, which you do not believe in, isn’t this clearly not reasonable. Therefore, why would you call it a Reason Rally. As simplistic as it may sound, it makes no sense to fight what you do not believe in. I’m sure that these same folks don’t believe in Santa Claus, but they don’t invest their lives in fighting against the jolly old elf. It would stand to “reason” that there should be a rally in which they display how proud they are that they don’t believe in Santa. After all, millions of kids are being brainwashed into believing that he is faithfully turning out toys at the north pole and that he will be delivering those toys to them on Christmas Eve. The only reason that they would not be all keyed up about attacking Santa is because they really don’t believe Santa – therefore he really doesn’t pose them any threat. Reasonably speaking, you don’t fight that in which you do not believe.
Looking at it from God’s perspective, it is amazing to find that God does not believe in atheist. I know I’m quoting God here and the atheist says that he does not believe in God, but since God does not believe in atheist, it is only fair that we give Him equal time. God says, “. . . that which is known about God is evident with in them; for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1:19). That is God’s way of saying that they really do believe in God because God has stirred within them to reveal to them that He does exist. He goes on to say that He has revealed His nature to them and that they see His handiwork every time they see the creation (I do not apologize for the word creation). “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
Being as we are dealing with a Reason Rally, it is only fair to point out what God said in the very same passage about just how well these folks are reasoning. He continues, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21-22). That sounds just like the folks that I hear railing against God, anything to do with God, and anyone who does believe in God.
Being the mindless believer that I am, I can only conclude that it would seem that God is right. Atheist really don’t exist at all. Those who proclaim themselves to be atheist really do know that He exist, but they choose to fight against Him. There is no other way to express the anger that is displayed by these “reasonable” people. Think about it. How much time do you spend angry at or attacking what you consider to be a myth.
I think I’ll go spend what little time, money, and energy I have attacking the tooth fairy.
“I’m sure that these same folks don’t believe in Santa Claus, but they don’t invest their lives in fighting against the jolly old elf.”
They would if those who believed in Santa Claus tried to make legislation based on Santa belief.
Great post. And I agree. Can I join you in fighting the tooth fairy?
Love the ATP video
As a believer, there is nothing that I could add to this great article. It is very well said! And as a former atheist/agnostic, I really do believe in hindsight that I actually did believe in God, I was just fighting hard against Him. I would try to tell myself that I was fighting to create a world where theism was no longer taught and we could “move on with human progress.” In reality, “human progress” has gotten us nowhere without God, and I was really fighting the idea that God has made me and should have complete control over my life’s direction.
I really feel that this whole idea was based on my own moral rebellion and arrogance (Rom 1:21-22), but it was also based on a false idea of who God really is and His heart toward me (Rom 1:23). On one part, God had to humble me with His power, glory, and perfect awesomeness and my lack of it through sin (Rom 3:23), and then He showed me His character, love, and heart toward me through Jesus’ life and death on the cross (Rom 5:8). That sold me for good, and I really needed His free gift of eternal life (Rom 6:23). I knew I needed to give control of my life over to the Lord of all (Rom 10:9-10). Wow, this Roman Road thing still works, even today. Thanks for the article!