Do Atheists Exist?

Dr. John E. Russell

Doesn't the above verse by atheist Bertrand Russell inspire you and instill hope?

William J. Murray III, in his book, My Life Without God, gives some insight into the atheistic lifestyle, since he experienced atheism firsthand under his mother, Madalyn Elizabeth (Mays) Murray O'Hair, a former "evangelist" for the religion of atheism. He paints a sad, violent, empty life, lacking in love.

There are at least three types of atheism: 1. Practical atheism, 2. Dogmatic atheism and 3.Virtual atheism. [Henry Clarence Thiessen, Introductory Lectures In Systematic Theology. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1949), pp. 64-66.]

1. Practical atheism includes those who have become disillusioned with religion or who choose to ignore God. They live as though there were no God.

2. Dogmatic atheism includes those who openly profess atheism. These people may be militant and will probably have a codified "theology." Examples of dogmatic atheists are the secular humanists, Marxists and certain philosophers. Elaborate rationalizations are required in order to maintain some semblance of personal integrity.

3. Virtual atheism includes those who hold principles that are inconsistent with the belief in God or violate the common use of language. God is defined in such vague terms as, "an active principle in nature," "the social consciousness," "the unknowable," "personified reality," "energy," or "force."

General Norman Schwarzkopf stated on national TV, "There are no atheists in Foxholes." Then, he told of his dependence on God for leadership and strength during Desert Storm. I believe he was saying that when facing death or some great threat, human rationalizations drop and the truth emerges.

Anthropologists have found belief in the existence of God in all cultures. Thus, science, history and the Bible concur in the universal belief that God exists. Somewhere deep in the human spirit there is a settled knowledge that God is. If I choose a lifestyle that is opposed to the Bible, then my mind begins to rationalize in an attempt to justify my behavior. This process works automatically on an unconscious level, as well as on a conscious level. This process can be triggered by at least two events: (1) A perceived injustice, in which the individual gets mad at God, or (2) A deliberate choice of the individual to do wrong.

King David of ancient Israel declares, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." (Psalm 14:1).

Atheism is an arrogant position. In order to state that there is no God, the believer must assume that he has an exhaustive knowledge of all things in the universe. An agnostic position would be more rational, although it seems to be a more tentative and unstable position. It is more rational to believe in God, since one can more easily infer the existence of God through limited knowledge.

There are five main areas of evidence:

1. Intuition, which states that the belief in the existence of God exists universally in the human psyche. Even in the atheist's mind, the idea of God necessarily exists in order for him to attempt to disprove the existence of God. When there is no longer a psychological "need" to believe in atheism, the mind reverts to a normal theistic belief.

2. The Jewish and Christian Scriptures assume the existence of God. The scriptures are credible, and therefore are a strong witness for the existence of God.

3. Rational arguments support the existence of God. The first rational argument is the

3.1 Cosmological (Cause-Effect) Argument: Since everything that had a beginning had a cause, the universe itself must have had a cause. To say that matter or energy is eternal is to deny basic human cause-effect thinking, and simply begs the question. The second rational argument is the

3.2 Teleological Argument: The order and design in the universe imply an intelligent and purposeful Creator. The third rational argument is the

3.3 Ontological Argument: The idea of God implies something of what he must be if he exists: infinite and perfect; and since human beings would not conceive of such an idea, the idea must have come from God. Therefore, God exists. The fourth rational argument is the

3.4 Moral Argument: Human beings have a conscience, which tells us what is right and wrong, and urges us to do the responsible thing. If we do right, conscience rewards us. If we do wrong, conscience "punishes" us. Implied is the existence of the creator of conscience, a moral lawgiver, who rewards good behavior and corrects wrong behavior. The fifth rational argument is the

3.5 Argument from Congruity: The theory that best explains the related facts is probably right. The existence of God as described in the Bible best explains the available evidence.

4. A changed life: the most compelling evidence for the existence of God is a changed life. When one accepts Christ as his Savior, his/her life is changed for the better. Drug addictions drop; marriages are saved; love replaces hatred; hope replaces despair; life replaces death. When many receive Christ in a society, society is changed for the better—see Timothy L. Smith's Revival and Social Reform for documentation.

5. Cumulative evidence: The cumulative evidence for the existence of God is stronger than any single fact or argument.

So, we return to the question, "Do atheists exist?" Atheistic rationalizations or systems of belief do exist as abstractions in the minds of human beings. But, Atheists Do Not Exist.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), was one of the greatest men in history. He remains the paradigm par excellence for politicians. He kept the nation together in spite of the civil war, and gave her a fresh infusion of character for a fresh start after the war. We and all democracies of the world are indebted to him. What is the secret of his strong moral character and wisdom? I believe it came from God and his Word:

The Bible was probably the only book his parents ever owned. Abraham came to know it thoroughly. Biblical references and quotations enrich his later writings and speeches. As president, he kept a Bible on his desk and often opened it for comfort and guidance. (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1987 ed., s.v. "Lincoln, Abraham.")

Many would have given up on life if they had faced half of what Lincoln faced. He grew up in the harsh frontiers of Kentucky and Indiana. He grieved over the deaths of many family members. His brother Thomas died in infancy. His mother Nancy (Hanks) Lincoln died when he was nine years old. His sister Sarah died during childbirth when he was eighteen. He lost three of his own children, Edward who died at four years of age, William who died at eleven years of age, and Thomas "Tad" who died at age eighteen. He managed to educate himself and persevere through loss of elections until he won state and federal positions. Finally, when he became president, he became immersed in the tragic civil war. He bore the heartache from the carnage and suffering on both sides. However, he had a Source of help and comfort—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!

Some blame God for injuries that other human beings have inflicted. Keep in mind that some professing Christians may be Christians in name only. On the other hand, some basically good people may do evil things in moments of weakness. King David is one of my favorite heroes, but David's adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah is a tragic reminder that good people sometimes fail.

Some human institutions that claim to be Christian are far removed from anything resembling what Jesus of Nazareth taught. A prime example is the World Council of Churches. Top Secret KGB reports tell how the World Council of Churches had been infiltrated by KGB agents and manipulated to help spread world communism and terrorism! (Joseph A. Harris, "The Gospel According to Marx," Reader's Digest, February 1993, pp. 68-73).

Then, some blame God for bad things that Satan does. Jesus said,

The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10, NIV).

According to Jesus, anyone who steals, kills, or destroys, comes from Satan. Anyone who brings better quality and length of life is from God. It just doesn't make sense to blame God for evil and then get mad at Him. It's a waste of time and it introduces unnecessary human suffering.

Norman Lear stated that he was against a theocracy being established in the US. Apparently he is happy with the present world satanocracy. Jesus said that Satan is the ruler of the present world system:

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31).

Paul further states that Satan is the god of this world:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4).

We need people who believe in God—people who live according to biblical principles 24 hours a day—leading the United States.

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