Answering “Seven Questions You Should Ask an Atheist”

I stumbled, quite by accident, across this blog entry by Tom Elliff (who has been, among other things, president of the SBC Pastors Conference and two-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention).  “Seven Questions You Should Ask an Atheist” is apparently Elliff’s idea of playing gotcha with the village atheist.  But really, I can’t help but thinking that if this is the best the good reverend can come up with, he isn’t really trying.

Elliff sets up his little pop quiz by mischaracterizing the so-called “New Atheist” movement.  According to Elliff, among other things, New Atheism “calls… for absolute intolerance of any belief in God, and the banishment of such belief by every possible means.”  Really?  “Absolute intolerance”?  “Banishment”?  “Every possible means”?  Is Elliff seriously implying that New Atheists call for outlawing religion, persecuting Christians–even murder?  Just about the only thing Elliff gets right is that atheists are increasingly unwilling to stay silent.

So, on to the questions!

1. Are you certain you are an atheist? Often, in an attempt to appear intelligent, a person will incorrectly assume the label “atheist.” An atheist is to be distinguished from a polytheist (many gods), pantheist (god is the same as the universe), or agnostic (an uncertainty  as what to believe, or whether truth can be actually known). The atheist says, “There is NO GOD.”

Well, Reverend, I can tell you I’m certainly an atheist with respect to the God of the Bible (and for that matter, with respect to any other deity that has so far been described by mankind).  If ever there was a character built on the perpetuation of unsubstantiated “facts” it’s YHWH.  I’m as certain that Jehovah doesn’t exist as I am that Santa Claus, Sherlock Holmes and Tarzan of the Apes don’t exist.  Next question…

2. Are you aware that actual evidence for God does exist? God has revealed himself physically, through creation (Psalm 19, Romans 1), spiritually, through conviction (John 16:8), and uniquely through Christ and the Bible (John 1:4, 14, 2 Tim 3:16-17).

Oy.  Okay, let’s take these one at a time.

Physically: The fact of the existence of the universe is not evidence of a Creator–just because I can’t say for certain how the universe came into being does NOT mean that any fairy tale you care to describe must be the answer.

Spiritually: Your conviction that something is true is not evidence of it being true.  (In fact, all we have is your CLAIM that you have conviction, but we’ll set that aside for now.)  Indeed, if the the conviction of one person counts for nothing in terms of evidence, then the convictions of billions also counts for nothing (zero times a billion is still zero).  Reality is not a democratic enterprise.  For example, the fact of evolution is not dependent upon scientific consensus; i.e. just because a million scientists agree something is true, doesn’t make it true.  What counts is EVIDENCE.  In that regard, evolution is as solid a fact as 2+2=4.  One cannot say the same for the divinity of Christ.

Uniquely:  Whatever.  Are you seriously arguing that because the Bible says it’s true, it must be true?  Aren’t the claims of Muhammad unique?  The Buddha?  Jim Jones?  For that matter, the various claims of (or more to the point, about) Christ are hardly unique.  History is littered with the corpses of people who claimed to be divine, who claimed to have all the answers, or who have been falsely elevated by time and legend to superhuman status.  In short, uniqueness is not an argument for veracity.  Did you really used to be the president of the Southern Baptist Convention?

3. Do you know why many people choose to be atheists? Many choose the path of atheism simply because they cannot believe in God and continue living as they do. “They are corrupt.”

I could answer this question with another question:  “Do you?”  I also have to take umbrage at your assertion that people are atheists because they are “corrupt”–with an attitude like that, do you really expect me to believe you’re actually listening to my answers?  Nonetheless, many people choose to be atheists because they are unconvinced by the evidence, pure and simple.  Heck, there are many atheists (not myself among them) who say they WISH a loving God existed, that eternal Paradise awaited them, and that they could look forward to being reunited with loved ones.  But it’s just wishful thinking with no basis in reality.  People don’t “choose” to be atheists because they are corrupt, or because they wish to keep living their “sinful” lives with no accountability.

4. How much of the Bible have you actually read? “The Lord looks…to see if there were any that did understand.” It is less than honest to attack a book with which you are not actually familiar. Nor is it intellectually authentic to oppose something only on the basis of hearsay.

Reverend, I am soooo glad you asked this question.  Yes.  Yes, I have read the Bible.  Several times through.  With commentary.  I daresay I could go toe-to-toe with many a well-read Christian.  I could definitely argue the finer points of scripture with the average Christian who, you may not be willing to admit, has NOT read the Bible.  I have in fact read the Bible and found it wanting.  To say the least.

And while we’re on this subject, Rev, what have you actually read?  The Koran?  The Bhagavad Gita?  The Book of Mormon?  The teachings of Zoroaster?  Buddha?  For that matter, have you read all the works of Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Dan Dennett, Robert Ingersoll, etc.?  If not, please don’t presume to tell me you KNOW they’re wrong and you’re right.

5. Do you know the word used in the Bible to describe an atheist? “The fool has said in his heart ‘There is no God.” Wouldn’t you agree that only a foolish person ignores evidence in choosing whether to accept or reject eternal life? (Make it clear that “fool”  is God’s name for the atheist, not one you have picked at random.)

You won’t be the first to call me a fool, Rev, and you won’t be the last.  If I scribbled on a piece of paper “People who believe in God are idiots” is that any kind of an argument?  That’s the second time you’ve insulted my intelligence: not only am I a “fool” but I’m “corrupt” as well.  I’m amazed you have the fortitude to be in the same room with me.

6. Would you allow me to share how you can know God? At this point you simply make a clear presentation of the Gospel. Do not attempt to argue your point. Your goal is to present the Gospel in its entirety.

I cannot imagine you’ll say anything to me at this point that I haven’t already heard.  I was raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, “joined the church” at eight, and participated fully in church life until I was 18.  So, really, there’s nothing you could say to me at this point I would find compelling.  But I’m game.  And after you’ve had your say, you’ll have to allow me to share with you what I’ve discovered.

7. Would you allow me to pray for you, either now or at a later date? Listen carefully for the person’s response, and graciously abide by their request. Of course, you can always pray for the person later.

You can waste your time any way you like.  If it keeps you off the streets (or keeps you from pestering another poor atheist), then by all means pray away!  As you’ve already pointed out, you can pray for me later whether I like it or not.

Any while we’re asking questions, Rev. Elliff, can I ask you about Paul Debusman?  And are you aware that you yourself have been named one of the 30 People Who Screwed up the Southern Baptist Convention?