When Atheists Attack
John A. Keith
The recent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has sparked many discussions, heated debates, and downright arguments. In the midst of all the “back and forth” regarding homosexuality, a common malady among humanists and “free-spirit thinkers” has once again reared its ugly “I have a right to my opinion but you don’t” head. Their line of thinking, if one may call it such, extends to all forms of sin and perversion. It is not just about homosexuality.
It seems as if a stance on anything remotely moral is against the atheist’s code of ethics. However, since the atheist says he does not believe in God, he is left to his own brand of ethics which fits the situation and which changes from one situation to the next. Jeremiah said, “ O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (10:23). Is it not comforting to know that what God said two-thousand years ago, He says today? (Hebrews 13:8)
The general consensus among atheists I have talked with seems to be that nothing is ever wrong, it just may not be right at that particular time or for that particular person. The reason they have no stance on morality is that they have no standard of morality – no reference point. The idea of a rigid, inflexible standard is counter to their “If it feels good, do it” mentality. Nothing is wrong except saying something is wrong! Would they not cry “foul” if the purchase of one gallon of gasoline yielded only three quarts? The only standard they choose to adhere to is one that benefits them. A standard that infringes upon their inhibitions is an affront, an insult, and a denial of their view of freedom.
When a Christian attempts to explain why certain conduct is wrong, they point a finger and say, “Judge not.” (Mt. 7:1). Are they not, themselves, judging? As one brother has pointed out, they probably do not even know where that is found in the Bible. They just know it says, “Don’t judge.” They do not know about John 7:24 which says, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
We are accused of being unloving and uncaring. I have been accused of suffering from homophobia. I responded by saying, “I'm not afraid OF homosexuals, I'm afraid FOR them.” God has dealt with this sin in the past. Remember a place called, Sodom? God will deal with it and all forms of sin and perversion as well, in due time. I simply wish to let those who choose this lifestyle know that there is a way out (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
One fellow even indicated that he knew “our God” hated homosexuals but that he and his god loved them and that we would find out soon enough which one was right. With that, he wished to put an end to the discussion. It was pointed out that the Samaritan woman in John, chapter four, attempted to evade Jesus’ message with a similar tactic in verse 25, “I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.” In other words, “Say and do what you think, God will sort it out in the end.” God most definitely will sort it out, but we need not wait to see what God thinks about these matters; we have His revealed will.
The Bible is often attacked. This same fellow said, “Your Bible is the one that was written by English (sic) clerics from 1500 to 1612.” Brother Dan Kessinger pointed out such was not the case by the existence of twenty thousand or so manuscripts dating from 300 A.D. to 1500 A.D. Brother Kessinger went on to say, “There are two problems with this point of view. First, we wonder, if this is true (that the ‘real’ Bible has been lost to history), exactly how one knows that it teaches anything, really. If it isn't legitimate, its message is insignificant. Moreover, if it isn't legitimate, all of its standards are also suspect; that is, ‘God is love’ may also be a late insertion.”
With the Bible as our guide, all the assaults upon Christianity and morals may be lovingly and firmly defended and refuted. In fact, the Bible believer has an advantage over humanists/atheists, for they neither have an objective point of reference, nor a foundation upon which to stand.
This is merely a small example of the kinds of things that Christians must deal with. However, in order to deal with them, we must know what the Bible says and know how to apply it. Do not study religion – study the Bible, for with the knowledge therein, we may counter any attack that is launched. (2 Timothy 2:15) -70 Gale Ave., Newport, OH. 45768. jtakeith@att.net