Atheists are deluding themselves

So says Adam Smith, a Christian. And it must be true as it says so in the Bible, apparently. Let me explain. I stumbled across this little gem when I found myself at The Ultimate Goal yesterday. Whilst there I happened to read a post called Why Atheism Does Not Exist which explains that atheists are really believers in denial! Mr Smith is adamant that it’s a biblical truth that “all men know that there is a God” and goes on to quote from Romans 1:19-20 to lend credence to his claim:

19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 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.

Of course, Mr Smith will think me a liar for saying this, but God has never been “evident” or “clearly seen” where I’m concerned. And it’s not like I haven’t attempted to seek him out, I have. But, seriously, what else can he think? He believes the Bible to be the word of God, the very same Bible that tells of a talking donkey, a woman who’s turned into a pillar of salt and a man who loses all of his strength when he gets a haircut. Truly wonderful stuff, if you’re a comedian looking for new material.

I was curious about the verses in question, so I opened my very dusty Bible to Romans 1 and read them in context, and I noticed something interesting. Consider the following:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, … 21 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. … 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. … 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,

As you can see, I’ve underlined what I think are pertinent points from the chapter. I wonder if Mr Smith could enlighten me as to how I can suppress that which I’ve not known, know something that’s never been revealed to me, exchange a truth for an untruth when I have no prior knowledge of the truth and acknowledge someone who as far as I’m concerned has never revealed his existence to me? It seems abundantly clear to me that Paul the Apostle was referring to those who had at some time or other been devout believers and, consequently, privy to divine knowledge but who had nevertheless chosen unrighteousness over righteousness. So I think it would be incorrect to use verses 19 and 20 as “proof” that all atheists are lying when they say that they have no belief in God.

Besides, I find it annoying that atheists are judged by some small-minded Christians who have no idea of the road they’ve travelled to get to where they are today. I find that it makes them very difficult, perhaps impossible, to respect. It’s typical of the way they divide everything into black and white. Heaven forfend that somebody looks at the world and sees something other than God’s hand in it.

At the end of his post, Smith arrogantly proclaims:

My name is Adam Smith and I wrote this based on Biblical truth; I stand behind it 100 percent. I will not back down from God’s truth and I will not be moved.

Some Christians think that quoting the Bible gives them a licence to be insulting and disparaging towards those who don’t share their beliefs. As soon as this is pointed out to them they deny that they’re being offensive and excuse themselves by claiming that they are just repeating God’s word, as if this justifies their rudeness. It appears that employing a verse or two of scripture covers a multitude of sins.

Curmudgeonly Yours