Thursday, April 12, 2007
The growth of atheism
It has been increasingly obvious that atheism is growing in the U.S. and other countries where there is increasing disillusionment with Christianity. As a recent AP story indicates, some atheists themselves are taking on a militant and fundamentalist tone much like that of the ones they criticize. In other words, replacing one religion with another.
Christians are obviously alarmed at the growing popularity of atheism, especially among those who are convinced that we live in a "Christian nation". But, instead of seeing this as a threat, perhaps we should see this as an opportunity for the irreligious message of Jesus to speak beyond the tired old philosophical debates. Here are some of my reflections on this matter:
1. Let's not be threatened by such developments. While atheism certainly represents a different world view, their skepticism of established religion shares one similarity with the radical, confrontation Jesus had with the religion of his own day. Let's remember that, as I've pointed out before, the earliest Christians were perceived as "atheists" by the world around them.
2. Christians probably have no one else to blame for the rise in atheism other than themselves. The sell-out of both liberal and conservative Christians to the modernist worldview places them in the direct firing line of atheistic musings. The recent alignment of the Christian right with American politics and economics doesn't help the situation either. And, the deepening chasm between Christianity and the teachings and practice of Jesus contributes to the confusion. As Ghandi once said, "I might be a Christian if it wasn't for Christians".
3. The solution for Christ-followers is to stop thinking that the way to counter atheists is through better arguments and debate. Certainly there is a place for apologetics, but the best argument will be through faithful obedience to Jesus' teaching and vision for the God's new reign. In other words we have to start living it. The reality of God's presence showing through in our world will render atheism inert. As Francis of Assisi is to have said, "Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words".
Technorati Tags: atheism, apologetics, endreligion
Christians are obviously alarmed at the growing popularity of atheism, especially among those who are convinced that we live in a "Christian nation". But, instead of seeing this as a threat, perhaps we should see this as an opportunity for the irreligious message of Jesus to speak beyond the tired old philosophical debates. Here are some of my reflections on this matter:
1. Let's not be threatened by such developments. While atheism certainly represents a different world view, their skepticism of established religion shares one similarity with the radical, confrontation Jesus had with the religion of his own day. Let's remember that, as I've pointed out before, the earliest Christians were perceived as "atheists" by the world around them.
2. Christians probably have no one else to blame for the rise in atheism other than themselves. The sell-out of both liberal and conservative Christians to the modernist worldview places them in the direct firing line of atheistic musings. The recent alignment of the Christian right with American politics and economics doesn't help the situation either. And, the deepening chasm between Christianity and the teachings and practice of Jesus contributes to the confusion. As Ghandi once said, "I might be a Christian if it wasn't for Christians".
3. The solution for Christ-followers is to stop thinking that the way to counter atheists is through better arguments and debate. Certainly there is a place for apologetics, but the best argument will be through faithful obedience to Jesus' teaching and vision for the God's new reign. In other words we have to start living it. The reality of God's presence showing through in our world will render atheism inert. As Francis of Assisi is to have said, "Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words".
Technorati Tags: atheism, apologetics, endreligion
