Misunderstanding Atheists

I've been spending some time on Hemant Metha's blog and if there is one word that would describe the atheists who comment there, regarding their views of Christianity, it would be misunderstanding. Massive, chronic, profound, dramatic misunderstanding.

Of course this is nothing new. Today's atheists call themselves “New” and mock what's written in the Bible as bronze age nonsense. Those who deny their Creator are of course pre date the Bible by several thousand years. As Jesus said,

They will be ever hearing but never understanding; they will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. Matthew 13:11-17

The unbelief of the atheists has rendered them ignorant of life and how it works. The young women are so dull of mind and slow of thought that they believe that being hard and impervious to kindness is a badge of honour.

Again,

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. John 3:19,20

Those words, spoken two thousand years ago, ring as true on Hemant's blog today as ever before. God's revelation to us is inaccessible to those who live upon the earth. In fact, when the light of Jesus shines on the lives of these people, rather than turning toward the light, they run deeper and deeper into the darkness. They actually prefer darkness to light.

“For although they knew God exists, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21

As I said a couple posts ago, I'm done visiting atheist blogs. I'm not sure why I kept trying to tell these people about Jesus. Five years is a long time. Part of me found it impossible to believe that they would hold to a world-view that has absolutely no supporting evidence. They just seem absolutely blind.

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

There's a good line that goes, “When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.” Sadly, these unfortunates don't even know they're in a hole. The bottom of the pit is where they think life is meant to be lived. Atheists call it freedom. They've believed the lie.

“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Ephesians 4:18

Is Hemant Metha A Friendly Atheist?

Personally I think Hemant Metha considers himself “The Friendly Atheist” because he smiles while he mocks and ridicules Christians. Or perhaps it's because he's friendly toward those who share his world-view. Who knows? It's certainly not because he's safe to be around if you aren't of like mind.

Regardless, it would seem a better fit and more accurate nomenclature if his blog was called, “The Joy of Treating Others With Derision and Disdain.” His regular readers stop at almost nothing in a supercilious free for all of playground bullying and puerile humour.

Jesus describes the atheist mind-set displayed on Hemant's blog, and then goes on to lay out how it is to be and will be in His Kingdom.

As recorded in Matthew Chapter Five, Jesus said, “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift-wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives His best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable (Hemant), do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that (especially those who think that doing so makes them good without God). “In a word, what I’m saying is,Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

Yes, I guess Hemant is friendly – toward those who show him kindness first. As for the rest of us? You'd better duck because you can count on any disagreement with the atheist world-view as being said to stem from personal hatred or a phobia of some sort.