The New Aggressive Atheism - Part 2

[James Nored]

I came across an article today called, "Do Atheists Borrow Religion's Morality?" Basically, the article tries to show that the values of atheists--such as care for the environment--have a moral basis. It seems likely that this moral basis has its origins from our Creator.

This is a common argument against atheism and nothing new. The New Atheism, however, does not really have any new arguments against God's existence. They simply have vivid, recent events that they draw upon to speak of the "evils" of religion, such as 9/11.

What is new about the New Atheism is its aggressiveness. Atheists are no longer hiding their beliefs, but are organizing on the Internet, supporting one another online, and pooling resources and social support to take their message of atheism to the public, with billboards, T-Shirts, and of course, books.

So, Christians ought to learn or re-learn the traditional arguments for God's existence. However, these are unlikely to be very successful in converting most atheists, particularly if used alone. The entry point for reaching atheists may still be loving them and inviting them into community, and then seeking to answer the intellectual questions.

Whatever the order, few are argued into the kingdom of heaven. Arguments for God's existence seem to be more affirming to Christians than they are an effective evangelistic strategy. But sharing, through personal narrative, why we believe in God and the impact that he has had upon our lives can be effective. At the least, it usually gains us an audience.

How do you think we can reach atheists today?

[Donn Holsinger]

James,

I agree that we can't "argue" atheists, or anyone else for that matter, into the kingdom. Growing up in the Midwest in the late 50's and early 60's I remember all too well how we tried to argue that the Church of Christ was the only way to heaven and how in end that mostly failed. Someone who professes not to believe in God will most likely not be convinced by any intellectual argument about God's existence we can give.

We have to be willing to befriend them before we can show them Christ in our life. When dealing with atheists we need to understand that they are not necessarily amoral people. Many have morals very similar to ours and although they may not admit it, are largely shaped by the Judeo-Christian influence in our society. Once we understand that we can then build a relationship where they can see the positive influence our belief in God has in our daily walk. We can then be there when they have a need and show them that we love them despite our differences. At that point I believe we have done all we can do and we need to let God do the rest.

Donn....

[Bill J Green]

I agree with Donn that it has to come out of a authenic relationship. Every Christian should be familiar with the arguments of God's existance because it strengthens our faith. Christ's light can shine even brighter in the relationship through the Holy Spirit within us.

Bill

[James Nored]

Donn, you have a good grasp of how to reach people. And yes, we should not assume that atheists are moral. There are few people with no sense of morality--perhaps none. Of course, I would take this as a sign that moral compasses come from a Creator.

[Courtney Berry]

I think that some good points have already been made about the importance of demonstrating love and forming authentic relationships. I think that an additional strategy would be to find some sort of common ground in terms of behavior deemed to be socially responsible. More than a few Christians and atheists see eye to eye on issues concerning the environment, poverty, racial discrimination, etc. It may be that, in some cases, focusing initially on similarities rather than differences may be the key.

On a slightly different note...one thing that I always tell my agnostic and atheist friends (as someone who struggled with agnosticism for several years) is that I find it harder to believe in the absence of a higher power than in the presence of one. I don't know if this has "convicted" anyone as of yet, but it's as honest and prayerful a response as I know how to give.

[James Nored]

Here is a podcast that seeks to counteract Stephen Hawking's argument in his new book The Grand Design that God is not needed. Hawking says that physics shows that universes can spontaneously form from nothing.

[James Nored]

Here is an article on the new atheism and its difficulties in providing hope in people's lives.