“Either God can do nothing to stop catastrophes like this, or he doesn’t care to, or he doesn’t exist. God is either impotent, evil, or imaginary. Take your pick, and choose wisely” (Sam Harris, Speaking on the Tsunami in Japan in 2011)
“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction…” (Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion).
“I’m an atheist. I’m not neutral about religion, I’m hostile to it. I think it is a positively bad idea, not just a false one. And I mean not just organized religion, but religious belief itself.” (Christopher Hitchens, The Last Interview)
The only thing more frightening than people denying the existence of God, is a world filled with individuals who completely base their “atheistic” claims on God’s character. C.S. Lewis noted, “Atheists express their rage against God although in their view He does not exist.” I believe it is a unique tragedy for someone to refuse their belief in God without much else to say, but an entirely different situation for individuals to be militant and hostile toward God Himself. The latter of the two circumstances is bred entirely out of anger rather than laziness or apathy in faith. The difference comes down to professing “I don’t care if God exists or not” and “I hate God.” Neither view is healthy, but a hatred of God is especially toxic to humanity, for it directs its militance against believers and participants of faith.
Here’s the deal: disapproving of God does not disprove God. Last I checked, no one has had any sort of irrefutable evidence to submit an inerrant proposition in an effort to dismiss the existence of God. Moreover, the problems in the naturalistic worldview tend to compound as our knowledge of the world expands. As we learn more about our planet, the bodies that make up the planet, and the universe in which our planet is infinitely suspended in, we are equipped with more data and more evidence that promotes an almighty being. Whether its through macro or micro observation, we are involuntarily carried to a state that leaves no other logical/sensible answer than a living Creator.
Though, we ought not be surprised when individuals express their arrogance toward God. Pharaoh asked, “Who is Yahweh, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know Yahweh and I will not let Israel Go” (Exodus 5:2). Many have even had a flawed theology and outlook of God, such as the Arameans, “Yahweh is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys” (1 Kings 20:28). Unfortunately for both parties, the Lord’s identity would be revealed in a detrimental way. Moses lavished victory over Pharaoh and the Israelites rose in triumph over the Arameans. Additionally it is noteworthy that David defeated Goliath in the valley of Elah — not a God of the valley, huh?
I don’t know exactly what it is that causes people to invoke such a hatred from within themselves that it gets directed toward a holy, all-powerful being. One of my previous professors cautioned, “We must be diligent to turn to God in times of emotional destitute rather than turn on God in reckless rage.” The danger of being angry at God and calling it “atheism” is that God still exists and He still remains God. Opinions, worldviews, scientific discoveries, international conflicts, riots, protests, and dare I say politics will never change or remove His existence. God is not so much concerned with your approval status of Him, as He is your willingness to find the path that leads to life. For when we seek life, we find ourself not only approving of Him but embracing Him.
Tyler King