Skip to main content

Definitions

     The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1)

                God: the supreme or ultimate reality: such as a: the being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped (as in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism) as creator and ruler of the universe (GOD Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster)

Priest: someone who is authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God (ST Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster)

Religion: commitment or devotion to a god or gods, a system of beliefs, or religious observance : the service and worship of a god, of multiple gods, or of the supernatural (RELIGION Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster  Note: this is the second definition as the first is, in my opinion, circular).

Science: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method (SCIENCE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

                Within the past couple of days, someone on Facebook posted another of those “Atheists can be moral without any gods” bits. I contend that this claim is baseless. The first step in any discussion is the definition of terms. I have provided the definitions of God, Priest,  Science, and Religion according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary online, with the caveat about the last included.

                So, applying a little logic – if a god is the supreme or ultimate reality, then whatever is the supreme or ultimate reality is god. If a god is the creator and ruler of the universe, then whatever creates and/or rules the universe is god. So, who or whatever someone credits with creating, directing, ruling, or being the reality of the universe is that person’s god. Such a god need not be a conscious being. It can, by its mere existence, dictate reality.

                Those who proclaim science to be the means of discovering (all) knowledge are acting on the basis of science as a religion. They are committed to a system of beliefs generally revolving around natural materialism. Ultimately, they act as mediators between the universe, or science, and man, thereby making them priests.

                But let’s return to the idea that the atheist who posted presented. He suggested that atheists do not need a god to be moral. But, that which establishes what is and is not moral is, by definition, god. So for an atheist to claim to have decided for himself what is or is not moral makes the atheist the atheist’s god. And if the atheist seeks to impress upon others his/her morality, he/she is acting as a god and priest of his/her religion.

                What the Bible says about the fool saying in his heart that there is no god is absolutely true, because only a fool would claim the level of knowledge or power to be able to support such a claim, and at the same time, deny his own existence.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more