Response to Anti-Theists

The interwebs can be a…weird and disturbing place sometimes! I recently came across a site dedicated, so they claimed, to conversations between atheists and Christians. I say “claimed,” because the overwhelming nature of the dialogue/monologue was the atheists/anti-theists (to borrow a term) beating up and mocking the Christians. I did observe some interesting things. While there were a few identifiable orthodox Christians, most of what I read was from the liberal wing of the church and the rest had a barely functional understanding of basic and historic Christian beliefs. But there was no doubt the settled purpose of the site. It was to give an unrestricted field of play to those who wished to mock God and his followers at every opportunity. This purpose became quite evident when I attempted to make the following post. It was blocked at both attempts. So, I present to you my thoughts. What say thee?

Friends, after spending some time within this group, mostly observing and a few times interacting, please allow me a few brief observations. But first, some background…I grew in a Presbyterian church and have been a believer since I was a small child. This doesn’t mean I have never questioned, doubted, or struggled with what “believing” means. I am also an avid observer of the scientific world. From this background I have learned to hold theories, opinions, and beliefs very lightly. My father, the pastor of my childhood church, took us to see quite a number of museums, paleontological dig sites, and even the Petrified Forest in Arizona. My youngest brother is a physicist of some renown. I grew up in a home which sought to understand the fullness of Scripture with a full understanding of the world we live in…without any contradictions for there are none.

So, with that, I would like to address my fellow believers for a moment. One does not need to spend much time here to see the vehemence many address any believer who dares to defend their faith however adequately or inadequately. We need to always remember, despite how it may feel, we are not the object of this hatred. We have been warned that things of the Spirit appear to be folly to the world. David was mocked by Goliath. Jesus was mocked by the Jewish leaders and the mob. Paul was laughed at in Athens. There is a long and honored history of mockery from those who sit in the seat of mockery.

As I read these many comments I am almost always struck by an underling current of pain. I do feel pity more than anything else. Clearly, these people have fully accepted the lies from the Liar. And their mockery of God, in all of their forms, I fear, comes dangerously close to Matthew 12:31-32. So, I would encourage you to continue to sharpen your arguments, learn the lies and misrepresentations common these days, and finally pray for their souls.

To the anti-theists, if you are still here, I would encourage you to set aside your strident hatred. Since you came here to discuss these matters, maybe an honest conversation would serve us all better than spilling your hatred of God and his Word on these pages. I say this not to convert anyone, for that is not in my power, but I would rather have a better understanding of your thinking…without the hate.

Having actually kicked death’s door open a couple of times, I know all too well how short our time truly is on this side of the veil. In but a few moments, we will all have the answer, but in the mean time, a collegiate discussion will serve us all much better.