Can Atheism Provide Peace of Mind? • “A god is a mythical character. People invented gods to explain where the world came from. Faith is believing something even though there is no good reason to believe it," American Atheist Press. • “We should forget the myths and legends of the Bible, or merely accept them as such,” T. Rocca. • “Atheism is a common sense approach leading to inner peace,” Melissa Etheridge. Thus atheism puts to rest the view that God exists, that the universe is a created object, that man is created in the image of God, and informs us it is atheism that leads to “inner peace.” Yet, belief in God persists, and in a recent Gallup Poll, our population denies the above statements by a wide margin. Why – if atheism can provide inner peace – do so many who embrace atheism describe their lives as drudgery, empty and having no hope or purpose for living? It is one thing for a university professor to speak “authoritatively” to a group of freshman students and give his philosophy rejecting God. It is quite another matter for that professor – or anyone – to face the evidence for the existence of God. The above comments from atheist Melissa Etheridge are, at best, confusing. Especially so is her reference to “inner peace.” Skeptics and atheists are on record for all to see that “inner peace” is hardly the consequence of their thinking. In fact, some of the most depressing words written by man have come from those who deny the existence of God, the love of God, the grace and wrath of God. Someone has said, in this regard, that the “proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Does genuine peace and hope come from atheism? The following quotes come from the pen of those who speak in despair when they contemplate death – theirs or another’s. Neither their names nor their achievements are unfamiliar. Students read their words and study their philosophies, but when faced with trials or death, seldom if ever will you hear them speak of “inner peace.” Clarence Darrow declared: “Life is like a ship on the sea, tossed by every wave and every wind; a ship headed for no port, no harbor, with no rudder, no compass, no pilot, simply floating for a time, then lost in the waves.” Melissa Etheridge should talk to Mr. Darrow about his cynical words, for atheism is supposed to be a “common sense approach leading to inner peace.” If so, Mr. Darrow did not get the message. Robert Ingersoll, blessed with a brilliant mind, was perhaps the most influential skeptic of the 19th century. His words came from a mind that put all things in a context of denying the existence of God. In the memorial service for his brother – for whom he had great affection – Ingersoll spoke the following words: “The loved and loving brother, husband, father and friend, died where manhood’s morning almost touches noon, and while the shadows still were falling to the West. He had not passed on life’s highway the stone that marks the highest point, but being weary for a moment he laid down by the wayside and, using his burden for a pillow, fell into the dreamless sleep that kisses down his eyelids still.” His brother died long before his time, and Robert mourned his death. It would be nice to have his way with words, but I would not trade my “inner peace” for Ingersoll’s vocabulary. Why? Because he had no hope, neither for the future nor for his brother. He wanted to have that hope, but it eluded him. In that eulogy, Ingersoll seemed to deny his skepticism, but to no avail. He decided that his brother’s death may have been “best…” because “Whether in mid-sea or among the breakers of the farther shore, a wreck must mark at last the end of each and all…every life, no matter if its every hour is rich with love and every moment jeweled with a joy, will, at its close, become a tragedy, as sad, and deep, and dark as can be woven of the warp and woof of mystery and death.” If you think those words lack hope, note Ingersoll’s final words in his brother’s eulogy: “Life is a narrow vale between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities. We strive in vain to look beyond the heights. We cry aloud, and the only answer is the echo of our wailing cry. From the voiceless lips of the unreplying dead there comes no word.” Inner peace? It sure doesn’t sound like it, and such sad words are not unusual. Other skeptics have made similar comments, including these: Bertrand Russell: “The life of man is a long march through the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, toward a goal that few can hope to reach, and where none may tarry long.” French Infidel Voltaire speaking on his death bed to his physician, Dr. Frochin: “I am abandoned by God and man! I will give you half of what I am worth if you will but give me six month’s life!” Contrast the comments from atheism with these from the Apostle Paul: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain…I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better,” Philippians 1:21-23. “The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith: Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all who have loved his appearing,” 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Carl B. Garner “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice….Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:4-7
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 08:56:52 +0000
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