an atheist’s response…
the famed scientist and outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins was recently interviewed by readers of London's The Independent periodical. i would like to know what you think of his response to the last question of the interview. i would especially like to hear from my seminary readers… i'll be sure to post your responses. (it doesn't surprise me at all that The Independent put this question last.)
Questioner: If you died and arrived at the gates of Heaven, what would you say to God to justify your lifelong atheism? Richard Dawkins:"I'd quote Bertrand Russell: 'Not enough evidence, God, not enough evidence.' But why is God assumed to care so much about whether you believe in him? Maybe he wants you to be generous, kind, loving, and honest - and never mind what you believe."
Filed under: General on December 6th, 2006
i’m no seminary reader, but i find it highly interesting that Dawkins the atheist admitted to having a hypothetical conversation with God. if God truly did not exist to him then how could have a conversation with him? interesting response dawkins… you blew your cover, deep down at the depths of your being you know that God exists and that he alone sustains your life.
“Progress is Providence without God. That is, it is a theory that everything has always perpetually gone right by accident. It is a sort of atheistic optimism, based on an everlasting coincidence far more miraculous than a miracle.” - G.K. Chesterton
If there were no God, there would be no atheists… thus somehow one can never manage to be an atheist.
There’s so much that should/needs/can be said. Dawkins’ latest book has been reviewed by Al Mohler (president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) and can be accessed at albertmohler.com. Dawkins is brilliant but he does make some lame arguments.
-With regard to the Bertrand Russel quote, it’s not the first time that’s been said–Matt 11.20-24
-As for the rest, the divine being he describes is one of his own imagination. He ultimately submits the God of the Scriptures to his own creativity.
-Consequently, he understands God’s chief concern to be a man’s ethics. He thinks God can overlook what you are if you make decent decisions. As long as he/she possesses certain moral characteristics, God doesn’t mind what you believe. Be a good person, and he’ll be satisfied. So he doesn’t realize man is an enemy of God, in rebellion, and an object of wrath. We are to God sinners condemned, and worthy of judgment, no matter how nice or honest or sincere we try to be over the course of our existence. Belief in The God (As Creator, As holy, As sovereign) is necessary because only then do you see yourself as you are; and then you see the need for His provision of the means of forgiveness, namely His Son Jesus Christ.