"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." -Romans 12:2
Why All the Name Calling
by Some Atheists?by Marshall "Rusty" Entrekin
A Harris poll (2005) found that nearly two thirds of Americans believe “human beings were created by God”. Despite that, western civilization has, for the most part, become quite tolerant of atheists. At least, I have not heard of any being burned at the stake lately. One would expect them to return the favor with tolerance toward the majority of the population who claim to believe in divine creation. Admittedly, many, if not most do display such tolerance, and they are to be commended for it. But a very vocal portion of them have no such tolerance.Check out their web forums, blogs and sites. The writings of many of them are all too often peppered with name calling directed squarely at creationists. These writers are calling creationists names such as dumb, ignorant, stupid, and IDiots ( a reference to supporters of ID, or Intelligent Design).
Richard Dawkins, a very prominent atheist, has written a book called The God Delusion. One wonders, since he believes that we theists are delusional, does he want to lock us all up in psychiatric wards, strap us to the beds and reprogram us by forcing us to watch YouTube videos of him reading his books?
But joking aside, it does bear very serious consideration, what would happen to people of faith if a dictator with the power of a Mao or Stalin over his people, became persuaded by Dawkin's arguments that "there is something very evil about faith"? Might we see the terrible persecutions these men inflicted upon Christians repeated again? In light of this possibility, why would Dawkins make such a recklessly irresponsible statement?
One wonders, why all the name calling by these atheists? Ad hominem attacks such as this often occur in a debate when one side feels backed into a corner by reason and logic. They remind one of the snapping of a cornered dog. Doubtless these atheists will claim other reasons for such behavior, but it does not make metaphysical naturalists appear secure at all in their beliefs. Do they fear that they are losing the battle?
When we Christians see atheists resorting to censorship, bullying and name-calling, it further confirms to us the biblical doctrine of the depravity of man – that the fleshly inclinations of man, when unchecked by the Spirit of God, hardly make for palatable dinner conversation, and certainly ought not to be discussed in the company of young children. And it increases our suspicions that not believing in God can cause some men to lose their moral compass.
If these name-calling atheists want to show us their moral compass, they ought to try biting their tongues and treating those who disagree with them with respect, tolerance and kindness. Stop trying to censor consideration of hypotheses that harmonize with the idea of a God in peer-reviewed journals, centers of academic learning, and science classrooms. Shouldn’t a hypothesis of origins be judged by how well the evidence supports it, rather than by whether or not it harmonizes with religious ideas? And yet this is the objection so commonly raised against ID, that it is simply “thinly disguised religion.” Looking through the same spectacles, Neo-Darwinism also often appears to be “thinly disguised metaphysical naturalism” (atheism).
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Rusty Entrekin is a theology graduate of Louisiana College. He and his wife Julie have seven children, with four still at home, and four grandchildren. Currently, he resides in Kennesaw, GA. He writes apologetic and theological articles to help people come to know Christ and grow closer to the Lord.