Atheism
a?Žthe??-iz'm (???????, a?theos, "without God" (Eph_2:12)): Ordinarily this
word is interpreted to mean a denial of the existence of God, a disbelief in
God, the opposite of theism. But it seems better that we should consider it
under four heads, in order to obtain a clear idea of the different meanings
in which it has been used.
(1) The Classical
In this sense it does not mean a denial of the existence of a Divine Being,
but the denial of the existence or reality of the god of a particular
nation. Thus the Christians were repeatedly charged with atheism, because of
their disbelief in the gods of heathenism. It was not charged that they did
not believe in any god, but that they denied the existence and reality of
the gods worshipped, and before whom the nation hitherto had bowed. This was
considered so great a crime, so dangerous a thing to the nation, that it was
felt to be a just cause for most cruel and determined persecutions.
Socrates' teaching cast a shadow on the reality of the existence of the
gods, and this charge was brought against him by his contemporaries. Cicero
also uses the word in this sense in his charge against Diagoras of Athens.
Indeed, such use of it is common in all classical literature.
(2) Philosophic
It is not meant that the various philosophic systems to which this term is
applied actually deny the existence of a Divine Being or of a First Cause,
but that they are atheistic in their teaching, and tend to unsettle the
faith of mankind in the existence of God. There is indeed a belief in a
first cause, in force, in motion, in a certain aggregation of materials
producing life, but the Divine Being as taught by theism is absolutely
denied. This is true of the Idealism of Fichte, of the Ideal Pantheism of
Spinoza, the Natural Pantheism of Schelling, and similar forms of thought.
In applying the word atheism to the teaching here given, theism does not
intend to assail them as wholly without a belief in a Divine Being; but it
affirms that God is a person, a self-conscious Being, not merely a first
cause or force. To deny this fundamental affirmation of theism is to make
the teaching atheistic, a denial of that which is essential to theism
(Heb_11:3).
(3) Dogmatic
It absolutely denies the existence of God. It has often been held that this
is, in fact, impossible. Cousin has said, "It is impossible, because the
existence of God is implied in every assertion." It is true, however, that
in all ages there have been persons who declared themselves absolute
atheists. Especially is this true of the 18th century a period of widespread
skepticism - when not a few, particularly in France, professed themselves
atheists. In many cases, however, it resulted from a loose use of the word,
careless definition, and sometimes from the spirit of boastfulness.
(4) Practical Atheism
It has nothing at all to do with belief. Indeed it accepts the affirmations
of theism. It has reference wholly to the mode of life. It is to live as
though there was no God. It takes the form often of complete indifference to
the claims of the Divine Being or again of outbroken and defiant wickedness
(Psa_14:1). That this form of atheism is widely prevalent is well known. It
is accompanied in many cases with some form of unbelief or prejudice or
false opinion of the church or Christianity. Dogmatic atheism is no longer a
menace or even a hindrance to the progress of Christianity, but practical
atheism is widespread in its influence and a dangerous element in our modern
life (compare Isa_31:1; Jer_2:13, Jer_2:17, Jer_2:18; Jer_18:13-15).
Whatever the form, whether it be that of religious agnosticism, denying that
we can know that God exists, or critical atheism, denying that the evidence
to prove His existence is sufficient, or dogmatic, or practical atheism, it
is always a system of negation and as such tears down and destroys. It
destroys the faith upon which all human relations are built. Since there is
no God, there is no right nor wrong, and human action is neither good nor
bad, but convenient or inconvenient. It leaves human society without a basis
for order and human government without foundation (Rom 1:10-32). All is
hopeless, all is wretchedness, all is tending to the grave and the grave
ends all.
Arguments against atheism may be summarized as follows: (1) It is contrary
to reason. History has shown again and again how impossible it is to bring
the mind to rest in this doctrine. Although Buddhism is atheistic in its
teaching, idolatry is widespread in the lands where it prevails. While the
Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte was based on a denial of the existence
of God, his attempt to found the new religion of humanity with rites and
ceremonies of worship reveals how the longing for worship cannot be
suppressed. It is a revelation of the fact so often seen in the history of
human thought, that the mind cannot rest in the tenets of atheism.
(2) It is contrary to human experience. All history testifies that there are
deep religious instincts within the human breast. To regard these as
deceptive and unreasonable would itself be utterly unreasonable and
unscientific. But the fact of such spiritual longing implies also that there
is a Being who is responsive to and can satisfy the cry of the heart
(Heb_11:6). In his Bampton Lectures Reville has said on this subject: "It
would be irrational in the last degree to lay down the existence of such a
need and such a tendency, and yet believe that the need corresponds to
nothing, that the tendency has no goal."
(3) It fails to account for the evidence of design in the universe. See
COSMOLOGY.
(4) It fails to account for the existence of man and the world in general.
Here is the universe: how did it come to be? Here is man: how is he to be
accounted for? To these and like questions, atheism and atheistic philosophy
have no adequate answer to give. See also COSMOLOGY; CREATION; GOD.
(International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
Atheism
A'THEISM, n. The disbelief of the existence of a God, or Supreme intelligent
Being.
Atheism is a ferocious system that leaves nothing above us to excite awe,
nor around us, to awaken tenderness.
(Webster's 1828 Dictionary)
Psa 14:1 (A psalm by David for the music leader.) Only a fool would say,
"There is no God!" People like that are worthless; they are heartless and
cruel and never do right.
Psa 53:1 (A special psalm by David for the music leader. To the tune
"Mahalath.") Only a fool would say, "There is no God!" People like that are
worthless! They are heartless and cruel and never do right
Rom 1:19 They know everything that can be known about God, because God has
shown it all to them.
Rom 1:20 God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the
beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made.
That's why those people don't have any excuse.
(Contemporary English Version)