Why I don’t begrudge atheists
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Okay, as long as everyone knows where I’m coming from, I’ll tell you why I don’t begrudge them:
Because I can’t prove with absolute irrefutable evidence the existence of God anymore than they can disprove it.
That doesn’t mean that because I can’t prove that God exists I choose not to believe. That’s my point. It’s a choice. People who choose not to believe in a higher power are taking a leap of faith every bit as much as I am. I can argue why I choose to believe, an atheist can argue why he chooses not to. And round and round we go. It’s exhausting and it just serves to widen the ever-increasing gulf between the two sides.
I also believe it is a mistake for Christians to dismiss all atheists as morally bankrupt and evil. To do so would be to ignore what Jesus commanded us to do: To love your neighbor as yourself.
Blogger and full-time missionary Koffijah once made the observation:How we view people is half of how we love them. When we dismiss those who don’t believe as we do, we degrade them and run the risk of believing that we are somehow better than they are. That is very dangerous territory indeed.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16
John 3:16 is probably the most familiar verse in the bible. Recognized by by believers and non-believers alike. As Christians, we cling to the promise of this verse. So much so, that often we dismiss what immediately follows:
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” ~ John 3:17
Christians lose their argument the second they approach an atheist with the intent to convert them.
Rich Mullins once said:
“I remember how I once won an argument with a heathen friend of mine who — after I had whacked away his last scrap of defense, after I had successfully cut off every possible escape route that he could use, after I backed him into an inescapable corner and hit him with a great inarguable truth — blew me away by simply saying, “I do not want to be a Christian. I don’t want your Jesus Christ.” There was no argument left to be had or won. Faith is a matter of the will as much as it is of the intellect. I wanted to believe in Jesus. My friend wanted to believe in himself. In spite of how convincing my reason was, my reason was not compelling.”
Respect their right not to believe if you want them to respect your right to believe. I think we witness to the world by allowing others to see the light in ourselves, not pointing out the darkness in others. Besides, there’s plenty of darkness and doubt in all of us.
Rich continues:
« « Previous Post: The Devil is in the details (Repost) | Next Post: Playtpus Rainbow 2 (subtitled I think I have food poisoning) » »“I am a Christian because I have seen the love of God lived out in the people who know Him. The Word has become flesh and I have encountered God in the people who have manifested (in many “unreasonable” ways) His Presence; a presence that is more than convincing, it is a Presence that is compelling. I am a Christian not because someone explained the nuts and bolts of Christianity to me, but because there were people who were willing to be the nuts and bolts, who through their explanation of it, held it together so that I could experience it and be compelled by it to obey. “If I be lifted up,” Jesus said, “I will draw all men unto me.”…
“Love one another, forgive one another, work as unto God, let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts. Make it your ambition to lead quiet lives. Obey. Greet one another with a holy kiss. No one will argue with that.”
Amen. Amen. Amen. And amen. (Did you hear the majestic chord progression?)
I lived in New Mexico mere miles from where Rich was doing work on the reservations. I never met the man in person but saw the results of his living his faith and it was remarkable. I still remember where I was when I heard he had been killed and the thought that a lot of Native American kids just lost a really good friend and mentor.
I miss Rich’s voice in music and in the church’s tough topics.
I know that wasn’t your main point so sorry if I derailed things.
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Very good post, Kathy.
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Absolutely and unequivocally, Amen. A great reminder for some of us “nuts and bolts” out there who choose only to dwell among people just like them. Jesus didn’t, why should I? Love thy neighbor, indeed. He did not give us any “but only ifs” to that one.
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Candy, you nailed it.
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Candy, I liked your comment. And say amen.
Katdish, Great topic! Very well written. I’m all about narrowing that gap between Christians and Atheists. It’s not that I approve of their unbelief, but instead, it’s bringing us closer so I can reach them and show them the truth.
Respect — where he’s at. where I’m at.
It is such a struggle some days
thanks Kat for a great reminder.
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This very thing is a struggle I face daily, being married to a “nuts and bolts” man. The bright spot is that he is also very giving and will help anyone in need. We all have to start somewhere.
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NICE. I linked this on my FB page, too!
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This is excellent, Kat. So tweeting this.
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I once heard someone, David Ravenhill I believe, say:
“If I can argue you into Jesus, someone else can argue you out”
Thanks for the reminder that we need to walk in His love, and that love covers everyone!
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Great thoughts, for sure! It seems like most atheists at least put in the effort to think thru WHY they don’t believe.
In some ways, for me the atheist is sometimes easier to relate to than the person who breezes thru life just not thinking about God one way or another. I think Elie Weisel said that the opposite of love isn’t hate; it’s apathy.
(Not to say that this justifies my dismissal of the apathetic either.)
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*high five* This was fantastic!
Funny you note John 3:17…..my daughter’s AWANA class was talking about this last night and it really got me thinking.
I “agree to disagree” with a few mamas in the local Christian homeschooling group I belong to….some are very “nuts and bolts” as you put it. I have gotten myself into more than my share of heated, but respectful, debates about this very subject. I believe that everyone should be invited to our events so we may be “allowing others to see the light in ourselves, not pointing out the darkness in others. ”
again, great post, Kathy!
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You had me from the moment you mentioned Rich Mullins.
This is a very interesting and thought-provoking piece, Kathy. What I am taking away from it is how we, as Christians, shine God’s Light and Love, in order to decrease the darkness around us.
Just 3 Sundays ago a lady came into our little ole country church and sat next to two women she knew. Her face was rigid and her lines and wrinkles were hard. Her eyes were steely. And her jaw was set hard. I couldn’t help but to wonder why she was there. I was also certain I had seen her in our midst before, maybe more than once.
Then our pastor said to disregard the bulletin’s notation about that day’s sermon scripture focus. He said God woke him at midnight and place a new message on his heart. So, he began his sermon by telling us that and by saying that this message is for someone special. Afterward, he reiterated his heart and we could tell he was tired, but he was near-bursting with compassion too.
About 20 minutes after everyone had begun the time of fellowship in the basement, pastor Joe walked down. I was near the stairs. He looked disheveled and wild-eyed. He came right up to me and told me, “Darlene, I now know why God had me change my message. That lady, you the lady, she came to me after the service and told me she was the intended recipient for the new message.” He said, “She flat out told me she is an atheist, but that the message was for her.”
Three nights later that same woman came to the Wednesday night study. She talked to pastor Joe afterward. They walked up to the sanctuary and she gave her life to Christ! And I tell you what, her face has visibly softened. Her eyes are warmer, kinder. She smiles.
Not bullying someone into a corner, but loving them with honest, caring love, that is what made the difference for that former atheist. The de-population of hell takes a kind hand.
* Oh, Kathy, I know it is baaaad to write a comment longer than the post. I just had to share that story. Your piece is very insightful and gives me more to contemplate regarding my approach as a daughter of Christ.
Blessings.
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A appreciate you sharing this story, Darlene. Wonderful.
It’s like Paul said and I paraphrase, “I didn’t come to you with persuasive words, but demonstrating the Spirit’s power.” I believe because I have experienced something. Telling people how wrong or bad they are won’t help anything, showing the unshakable love of Jesus while living a peace that passes understanding will impact those around. I’m totally with you, Kat!
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Great post! Someone (I don’t know who) said that no one has ever been converted to Christianity due to a debate. It’s true.
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You’ll always win more people over with love than with reason. You can’t argue love.
Great post, Faith is a big step, and it is ok that not all have chose to make it, for those of us lucky enough to have we know what rewards our faith brings. People are going to believe what they are going to believe. The best part is even if they dont believe in God, they still get to bask in the holy spirt, whether they realize it or not! So there! LOL