My God is More Popular than Your God

While reading over the day’s news, I came across this article from the LA Times, called “A Time of Doubt for Atheists.” First of all, I thought every time was a time of doubt for atheists. I thought that was the whole point. Oh, well.

But this article is quite offensive, starting with the very first sentence, “It's been years, decades even, since the Almighty was so hot.” Huh? How can the Almighty not be “hot?” Perhaps the author means “popular.” But certainly God is “hot” as in “on His game,” or “in the zone.” But if the article means “hot” as in “popular,” what does God care? Does the LA Times think that God is keeping tabs on His positive press? Is He concerned with His ratings? Maybe I’m analyzing this too much, but it seems to me that the Times is implying that God may have to change His image from time to time to stay “hot.”

The article goes on to say, “Faith is the new must-have, evident when a major leaguer points skyward after his base hit.” Those guys annoy me. It’s like their saying, “Thanks, God for the base hit. Sure, I’ll probably get erased when the next batter grounds into a double play, but at least this helps my average.” That’s a rather self-centered reason to pray to God, and considering Christ prohibits public prayer (Matt 6:5-6) it is also sinful. They are using their faith as an opportunity to boast.

Moving on, the article says everyone seems to be Christian now because that’s the “hip” thing. A few years ago, the 70's were hip. Now it’s Christianity. The Times asks, “So where does that leave the fraction of Americans who define themselves as godless?” (That fraction, by the way is defined as less than a quarter of the 14% who claim no religion.)

“Some are using humor to cope, such as actress Julia Sweeney in her one-woman play ‘Letting Go of God,’ which ran in Los Angeles for several months this year. ‘It's really because I take you so seriously,’ she tells an imaginary God, ‘that I can't believe in you.’”

Humor? If that’s the funniest line in the play, I’m glad I didn’t see it. But then, I’m not the target audience for such a play. I didn’t think Hitchhiker’s Guide was funny, either. Perhaps I don’t think the line is funny because it doesn’t make sense. You don’t believe in God because you take Him so seriously? Perhaps I will watch, or read, the play just to find out what she’s talking about. That’s like saying, “It’s really because I take the War on Terror so seriously, that I can’t believe in it.”

But the article doesn’t explain what she means. The Times moves on to the paranoid wing of atheism.

“Others see the future as a time when nonbelievers are outcasts and religion dictates law, social protocol, even private life.

‘The McCarthy era is the last time this climate existed,’ says Simi Valley resident Stuart Bechman, co-president of Atheists United, a local affiliate of Atheist Alliance International.”

Last Sunday at church, me and a bunch of other guys were gathering stones to throw at atheists. Seriously, though. Is every atheist in this country sleeping with one eye open? Do they really think it’s just a matter of time before Christians start rounding atheists up and putting them in re-education camps? To be honest, the last time that happened, atheists were the perpetrators.

According to the article, many atheists have concluded that the only way to avoid being burned at the stake is to get an advocate in government.

“Unfortunately, as one activist noted, most politicians are as eager to align with the godless ranks as they are to lobby for pedophiles. Hence the need for an image makeover.”

Well, they do need an image makeover. The can start by not judging all Christians by the actions of a whacko. That link takes you to an article that really has be read to be believed. It is an example of atheist bigotry at its best.

“Keen to cast off stereotypes of immorality, atheists are stressing their integrity, patriotism and respect for the faithful while staying true to their age-old commitment to the separation of church and state.”

Well, they’re going to have a problem with the immorality part. I’ve already explained how God is the source of righteousness. Another Christian blogger takes that one step further. Ryft Braeloch explains,

“The question immediately presents itself: what is ‘good’? This is a moral question, is it not? What is the ground of our moral order? What is the final determinant and arbiter of moral order? Is it not God's authority, will, and law? I have said it before, and I will here say it again: ‘If anything is not informed and influenced by God's authority, will, and law, or grounded therein, it is sin. This is why even the apparent good that unbelievers do is nevertheless sin, because both their authority and motivation is something other than God.’”

The rest of this article deals with supposed Christian backlash against atheists. More paranoia. The article says,

“[Atheists are] quick to reference the many atheists who so fear harassment that they join atheist groups anonymously and others who are cast out of their families, refused positions involving children or relieved of jobs because of their nonbelief.”

I’m sure there are atheists out there who are harassed for their beliefs, or lack thereof. There are Christians who suffer the same harassment. Likewise, there are Christians who are cast out of their families. But this part about atheists being relieved of jobs, I just can’t believe. Interestingly, the article doesn’t provide any sources to back up that claim. If something like this was going on, any two-bit lawyer would be able to win a discrimination suit.

One last thing, because this post is too long already:

“[NoGodBlog.com founder Dave] Silverman says his 8-year-old daughter, who he says is also an atheist, has been taunted as a Satanist by some of her Christian playmates.”

Frankly, teasing and taunting is a part of life when you’re in elementary school. But, let’s look at this a little deeper. This girl is only 8 years old. The only thing she knows about religion is what her parents have taught her. I thought atheists oppose proselytizing children. I guess there’s a double standard. Not surprising.

–J.E. Heath
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