This “discussion” began with Dave Eklof ’s letter (1/23/10) asking for “…a greater diversity of spiritual insights in Spiritual Reflections…”
and suggesting that an atheist might also contribute.
Thisreminded me of my first exposure to atheism at the university I attended. Almost all of my professors and the student body professed the humanism of science, logic, and enlightened reason, which would lead mankind from the darkness of ignorance, bigotry, racism and superstition into the realization of all of man’s best and brightest dreams for this world—certainly an idealism I could relate to.
Lou and Geri’s letters provide insight into where the mature person grows with these beliefs.
Though they deny it, an atheist cannot help but be angry with Christians, for it is their belief that all the evils recorded by history are a result of religions, particularly Christianity. Their letters have provided us with proof; examples of religion’s inhumanity to mankind, contradictions from
our scriptures, scientific proof of indoctrination leading to our reduced intelligence and ignorance. It frustrates them that their friends and neighbors are still just as blind.
Atheism’s issue with Christianity is the Harm Done Mankind by people holding religious beliefs.
Because beliefs, without valid proof, are not facts for an atheist, all communication containing religious content are rejected. Appeals to read the Bible, to understand what Christians find in the Bible or historical events related to the Bible, likewise are impossible to consider. Sadly, there is no common ground for an Atheist and a Christian to communicate things of a spiritual nature.
Christianity’s issue with Atheism is not the Existence of God, and it certainly isn’t a dialog with people holding this philosophy. We reply to atheistic viewpoints because there are other readers who are undecided on the issues of God’s existence, Jesus Christ’s existence and the validity of the Christian faith.
We live in an age of rationalism and skepticism. Who better than a skeptic to present what is wrong with a religion? But, flawed reasoning must be exposed, so that the undecided person may hear both sides of an issue
Christianity’s issue with Atheism is this “Reality” in which we all live. There is sufficientproof and compelling evidence that there is an unseen spiritual component in this universe, and in each one of us.
I recognize our letters have frustrated, and may have hurt, Lou and Geri; and they may not understand that it is their ideas we are opposed to, not their persons. With Mary Ellen Ashcroft, I too would wish that Lou and Geri have an “Encounter with the Divine.”
And so shall we forgive one another, in our minds and our hearts, and return to acts which benefit, comfort, and support one another in this community, which is how Lou Jenson ended his first letter (02/17/10).
Chuck & Loretta Flickinger
Hovland
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