Guest Blogger: Critical Thinking...One Christians attempt to justify Atheism

Please join me in welcoming a guest blogger, Frank Holzhauser. A few weeks ago he was challenged by an atheist to put himself in his shoes and as a Christian try to tell him how God could in fact, not exist.

 Frank simply found this request impossible and I advised to use critical thinking in an attempt to answer this question. The following is his attempt to do so and as a Christian myself who absolutely cannot comprehend Atheism, I would say he did a great job....

As a 58 yr old Christian male, growing up in the faith, I can say with all honesty, I never really doubted God's existence. I may have flirted with the notion in my early teens, but I have had clear and definitive moments in my life where I sought (truth without faith).If I were to apply quote unquote, "critical thinking", I would likely find a hybrid between Christianity and infidel-ism, something along the line of Karma and Nirvana, or the idea that man being somehow a product of his conception. Most likely I would trend towards Intelligent Design, even if God did not exist, I just can't wrap my mind around "nothing created everything", so I will present some of the debates I have had in my own mind. I would try to rely on science, math, physics and biology, as much as it would try explaining my circumstances, but since the world would revolve around me, life would be all about pursuit of me. I readily admit, faith asks a lot, Santa Claus would be about as believable as God. I have said it this way, imagine a prearranged marriage; it was done before your birth and everyone tells you what a great gal your promised to. But you have never met her, felt her, tasted her, touched her or heard her voice, she has never contacted you, even by phone, you have never slept with or had sex with her, but everyone keeps telling you just wait, she is a great woman. So I remain pure for her, day after day I wait as I am asked to do, but I am aging the whole time, my testosterone levels have came and went, its seems by the time we meet, I doubt I can gain an erection to consummate our marriage, it just seems hard to wait any longer... 

...so then I up and die, what's up with that, what good did my faith in marriage get me? I am dead and never lived one day in an embrace of my beloved bride. While I haven't doubted God, I have doubted his care for me, and some of the things written about or ascribed to him, I just can't help but to believe that there is more to life than this. If there isn’t, it’s a very cruel joke as there is so much evil, that somehow or way must be dealt with. Karma as they say is a bitch. This philosophy would appeal to me, that “what goes around comes around". I might more lean towards living multiple lives until a person "gets it right", but philosophy is much like a-holes, everyone has one, so if there is no ultimate truth, I really think I would likely live only for myself.  I really can't feel anyone else's pain or pleasure but my own, so truth would be exclusive to my reason and understanding, and nothing like a drug or alcohol would be out of my reach in pursuit of knowledge, whatever would place me in a higher plain of understanding. There have been moments in my life where I felt my own intellect sufficient for the journey to truth but, as the lyric in the Don Henley song “The Heart of the Matter” goes, while I know many more facts and have much greater knowledge than I did decades ago, "the more I know, the less I understand". I would have to see it, hear it, smell it, taste it, or touch it to prove it truth cause unless my senses could comprehend it, it must not exist. 

I remember one time on Thanksgiving at my dad’s mother’s house, my parents were playing a game of checkers and my dad was losing, so he knocked over the checker board and of course said “oh excuse me, how clumsy of me”, and then laughed like a fool. Well we all knew the purpose was not to get beat by my mom, but I have often thought of this incident and related it to God and Satan. Yes, I am told that God is stronger and in charge but, Satan is winning the battles, maybe till God knocks over the checkerboard, but somehow that doesn’t seem like a win. When scripture points out “broad is the path to destruction and narrow the path to life”, seems as if Satan is taking out more than God is rescuing, so whatever one’s view of things, it requires some amount of “faith” to trust anything, including your own name, how would I even have known it except my mom saying it over and over? We all rely heavily on other’s hand-me down accumulated knowledge, so what’s to be trusted and what’s to be excluded...is the ongoing debate and battle... 

Clearly the problem with faith is it is intangible that by its nature, cannot be proven by human sciences, whether anatomy, chemistry, medicine, biology, physics, math, psychology, psychopathology, astronomy, physiology, psychiatry, philosophy, arts, literature...so, whatever one concludes really comes back to circular reasoning, and whatever archeology can unearth to validate or invalidate mans faith, or reinforce theory and speculation. Prime example, the matter of Clinton, Lewinsky, and a blue dress. DNA science can only determine a sample to be Bill's or not, so what if the dress was washed or destroyed?  Then we are left with faith in Bill's story or Monica's word, provided there is no witness to the event but, if the blue dress didn't exist, did the private event not happen, so even science cannot prove everything?  Then what, back to faith, or theory and speculation? Science demands proof and absolutes, but morals demand absolutes also, so until archaeology digs up indisputable evidence, man escapes the bounds of this solar system or God comes... 

No one I guess has any better idea than the other but; I have hope, another intangible that can't be proven, miracles can't be proven. Here is a story, many a folk root for the Cubs. In sports you have many unproven intangibles. Let's say a team on paper is clearly a superior team, well science should say, that team should always win but, many factors can come into play. Maybe a player’s family member has died, a team can rally around that event, to play over their normal capability, but can that be proven, or even measured? Momentum, home field, injury, a bad call, weather...many factors can catapult an inferior team to victory, but again, can those be proven or measured? I've heard science say that a curve ball is physically impossible, that your eyes are deceived, so is perception reality. Everything we know is really an exercise in faith, it takes faith to believe in God, and it takes faith to not believe in God, so what's the common denominator here mathematicians? You’re right...GOD !! 

Then there is the matter of truth. Can truth be truth if it’s not absolute?  We enter the realm of relative or subjective truth, is a truth here a truth somewhere else?  There are absolute truths to physical law…you jump you fall. But if a Christian says "you sin, you die", they are immediately accused of placing value judgments. See, mans nature is to really do as he pleases, and moral law gives restraint to that, physical law restrains him also, but he will concede that for self-preservation, so even indulging in things of pleasure too much, can come at a heavy cost, to health or life? The Christian is merely asserting not to perish in an un-forgiven state and risk losing salvation. Then that will be met by, “how can salvation be proven”? Back to faith. Some will say it’s all a big bang, you live once and there is nothing past the grave. Well, again we are back to faith, and neither can prove to the other, that their truth isn't theory...

I have my own theory as to atheism that I've been working on for a few months now. Hopefully God will say it's just about complete soon :) As always, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions....

Is it Gossiping to say that someone is Gossiping?

Gossip. Lies. Stories. The fish that keeps getting bigger and bigger. The telephone game. Oh how many of us have been assaulted, hurt, betrayed, and ruined because we have told someone something about ourselves that they felt the need to go tell someone else? How many of us have trusted someone with personal and private information and it has been spread like wildfire? How many times has someone told you something and you went and told someone else? It happens every single day. It happens not only in the secular world but it sadly happens in the church as well, and even more sadly, it happens in the church far more than you would ever imagine or want to admit. 

I have seen this gossip trend increase within my church to the point that I just can't keep it inside anymore....

Father God, 
I pray over my words right now. I pray that you bless this message and that you speak through me. I pray that what I am about to say does not make me a sinner in gossip but that my message will enlighten, educate, and inspire others. Father, please let my plea to others be not be distorted by Satan but be blessed by You! 

In Jesus Christ name, 
Amen, 

The very last thing that a Women's or Men's Ministry leader, a Pastor, a Deacon, a Deaconess, etc., should be doing is gossiping right? When we come to Christ we should emulate and display the Fruits of the Spirit..."But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law" Galatians 5:22-23. 

A leader in the church that ministers and is responsible for hearing private things about others should never ever take these things and talk about them to other people other than those trusted church members who are responsible for the prayer. Leaders of our church are responsible to keep private matters private and to protect the innocent as well as the guilty. Leaders of our church are responsible for leading others to Christ. Who agrees or disagrees with that statement? 

I want to tell you of my own experience with this so that you understand the weight that this brings on my heart and soul because it is real and it is serious...
Recently my family suffered the loss of a dear family member to a long term illness. Funerals are never easy. No one knows what to say or how to act. It is a difficult and hard time to comfort those who have lost someone to death. At a funeral families should come together and comfort one another and to uplift and give words of encouragement and of peace. At this funeral however a family member used gossip about other family members as small talk. The first thing that came out of their mouth was gossip and lies of embarrassing proportions against other family members. Does this happen? Of course it does. People gossip ALL of the time and really think nothing of it. As heartbreaking as that is, it is the truth and it is very real. The last thing that needs to be discussed at the funeral of a family member is other family members troubles in their marriage or troubles in their personal lives right? But this kind of behavior runs wild within our social circles and our families. Since when did other's troubles and shortcomings become small talk? Well, since the existence of time really. Who influences this behavior? Satan. 

Ellen G. White says, "It pains me to say that there are unruly tongues among church members. There are false tongues that feed on mischief. There are sly, whispering tongues. There is tattling, impertinent meddling, adroit quizzing. Among the lovers of gossip some are actuated by curiosity, others by jealousy, many by hatred against those through whom God has spoken to reprove them. All these discordant elements are at work. Some conceal their real sentiments, while others are eager to publish all they know, or even suspect, of evil against another. I saw that the very spirit of perjury, that would turn truth into falsehood, good into evil, and innocence into crime, is now active. Satan exults over the condition of God’s professed people. While many are neglecting their own souls, they eagerly watch for an opportunity to criticize and condemn others. All have defects of character, and it is not hard to find something that jealousy can interpret to their injury. “Now,” say these self-constituted judges, “we have facts. We will fasten upon them an accusation from which they cannot clear themselves.” They wait for a fitting opportunity and then produce their bundle of gossip and bring forth their tidbits.
In their efforts to carry a point, persons who have naturally a strong imagination are in danger of deceiving themselves and deceiving others. They gather up unguarded expressions from another, not considering that words may be uttered hastily and hence may not reflect the real sentiments of the speaker. But those unpremeditated remarks, often so trifling as to be unworthy of notice, are viewed through Satan’s magnifying glass, pondered, and repeated until molehills become mountains. Separated from God, the surmises of evil become the sport of temptation. They scarcely know the strength of their feelings or the effect of their words. While condemning the errors of others, they indulge far greater errors themselves. Consistency is a jewel.
Is there no law of kindness to be observed? Have Christians been authorized of God to criticize and condemn one another? Is it honorable, or even honest, to win from the lips of another, under the guise of friendship, secrets which have been entrusted to him, and then turn the knowledge thus gained to his injury? Is it Christian charity to gather up every floating report, to unearth everything that will cast suspicion on the character of another, and then take delight in using it to injure him? Satan exults when he can defame or wound a follower of Christ. He is “the accuser of our brethren.” Shall Christians aid him in his work?
God’s all-seeing eye notes the defects of all and the ruling passion of each, yet He bears with our mistakes and pities our weakness. He bids His people cherish the same spirit of tenderness and forbearance. True Christians will not exult in exposing the faults and deficiencies of others. They will turn away from vileness and deformity, to fix the mind upon that which is attractive and lovely. To the Christian every act of faultfinding, every word of censure or condemnation, is painful.
There have always been men and women who profess the truth, who have not conformed their lives to its sanctifying influence; men who are unfaithful, yet deceiving themselves and encouraging themselves in sin. Unbelief is seen in their life, their deportment, and character, and this terrible evil acts as does a canker. 

Testimony Treasures, Vol. 2, p. 22-23. Jealousy and Faultfinding Condemned 1882, Testimonies for the Church. 

Friends....How powerful is that???? If that doesn't convince you as to the dangers of gossip please reference: 

What effect can gossip have? It breaks down relationships.  Exodus 23:1, TLB. "Do not pass along untrue reports. Do not cooperate with an evil man by affirming on the witness stand something you know is false." 

Gossip is as harmful and lasting as physical wounds. , Proverbs 25:18, TLB. "Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an axe, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow." 

Gossip wastes valuable time.  II Thessalonians 3:11-12, TLB. "Yet we hear that some of you are living in laziness, refusing to work, and wasting your time in gossiping. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we appeal to such people—we command them—to quiet down, get to work, and earn their own living." 

Gossip can ruin friendships.  Proverbs 16:28, TLB. "An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends." 

Gossip is based on rumors.  Proverbs 11:13, TLB. "A gossip goes around spreading rumors, while a trustworthy man tries to quiet them."

According to God, the punishment for gossip should be death!!!! You are literally committing murder, you are killing another person by gossiping about them and telling lies! You are breaking a Commandment issued by God...

"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor". Exodus 20:16. 

This family member who chose to gossip about other family members is also a member of my church. This person is considered a leader in my church. The church I grew up in. The church that I consider my home. The place that I should feel safe. That we should all feel safe. This person is allowed to serve in leadership positions and have personal and private information about other people is the same person who will take this information and gossip and lie about them. Am I gossiping by telling this information? Maybe. I don't know. What I do know is that I cannot set by idly and silent while this happens. I feel compelled by my heart to reveal this information in hope and prayer that leaders of church will read this and will think twice about who we let "minister" to others. This is the time friends and family that we cannot let Satan infiltrate our churches and our homes like we have let him infiltrate our society. We are not of this world. We don't belong on this earth. The things that happen here, the sinful, horrible atrocities that happen in this world are foreign to us because Christ calls us to be better and to rise above, yet, we allow it in our own church home that we should feel peace and safety. Satan is not the red horned devil with the long forked tail and the scary teeth that Hollywood portrays him to be. He is your neighbor. He is your "friend". He is your "family" member. He is the person setting next to you in the pew at church. Satan is charming, he is handsome, and he has been studying you and your family for thousands of years to know that exact thing that will tempt you to fall and disgrace your Father in Heaven. 

Church family WAKE UP!!! Wake up an discipline your church members. Think about who you are allowing to minister to the sheep of your fold. Think about the new members that you are trying to convince of your faith and your teachings. Think about those who are broken and down and who need uplifting and pray about who you are trusting to serve over them. Now is NOT the time to let just anyone into positions of power. Everyone is welcomed into the church of God, everyone deserves a second chance and everyone, EVERY ONE, is loved by God, BUT, not every one is of honorable intentions. We must be careful and watchful because "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" Ephesians 6:12. I do not tell you these things out of hatred but I tell you these things out of prayer, honest and sincere prayer, that these individuals will recognize their sin and will repent and will stop their evil tongues from destroying another person. It hurts me. It breaks my heart. It makes me stay away from the only church family I have ever known because I KNOW THE TRUTH. I have been the victim of this person's lies and gossip and murder. I see how they have snowballed everyone into thinking they are a true follower of God when in reality they are murdering others with their words. 

I can only pray that my words are taken to heart by you who are reading this and that you will be brave enough to stand up and speak against this when you see it happening in your own church and your own family and your own social circle. 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand". Isaiah 41:10