The Atheist’s Standard

A sceptic asked, “How could a loving God eternally punish someone as good as me?”

I’m pretty sure he wasn’t joking.

What he needs to be asking is, “What kind of Love, what kind of Mercy, what kind of Grace does this God possess that causes Him to reach out and save for eternity in paradise the worst individuals who have ever been born, and all they have to do to receive this salvation is agree with their Creator that they need His forgiveness, justification and sanctification?”

This repentence of course is something that "good" atheists are unwilling to do. Even though pride will land them in hell, it's considered a positive trait among atheists.

In reality none of our efforts are “good.” None of our efforts are completely free of corrupted self-love. As has been described, our best deeds are little more than dressed-up sins. Atheists of course disagree. The Bible describes our "good" deeds as used tampons.

In light of that, some atheist named Joseph Hanson has taken the “Am I Good?” test that Ray Comfort uses when people say that they’re so good God should be thrilled to have them in heaven. Not surprisingly, Hanson found out that, “Yes indeed I am good.” How did he arrive at that conclusion? Well, the same as any other atheist. He threw out the existing rules and definitions, and then made up new ones as he went along.

That shouldn’t surprise. As Hugo says “Everybody does it.”

For example:
. Hanson took issue with the idea that if you tell lies, then you are a liar. Not so says the atheist. In atheist-world you have to tell A LOT of lies before you’re a liar. He keeps the exact number that constitutes “a lot” to himself, but you can bet it’s at least one less than the number that he’s told.

. Hanson took issue with the idea that lust / adultery is bad. Wanting to cheat on your spouse and think about having sex with the partner of someone else, “Is just being human.” And, as we know, in atheist-world, if most of the people think it’s a good thing, then it is a good thing.

. Hanson takes issue with the idea that stealing makes you a thief. Like his views on lying, to Hanson thieves are people who steal more than he has stolen and more frequently than he steals

Isn’t that precious? Like I said, or more correctly like Hugo has said, Joe Hanson agrees that this is how all right and wrong is decided. You create your own standard of morality, making sure that you sit just above the cutoff line and then - ta da! - you declare yourself to be a good person.

Joseph Hanson concludes, “I’m not a Christian, but I live my life in a good way.”

Absolutely, and he would make as good a friend as any atheist alive. As long as you don’t mind a friend who feels ok about lying to you from time to time (but not too often), fantasising about having sex with your spouse (I don’t think there’s any limit on that one) and stealing from you only the things that he defines as small and according to his idea of not too often.