Originally written on 12-10-08
I’m sure you’ve heard the news by now. It’s the talk of the town: Next to a manger scene at the Washington State Capital, an atheist sign was posted as a companion piece to the shepherds and wise men. The bold message was the result of a compromise, worked out with the Governor in response to a threatened lawsuit from the Freedom From Religion Foundation:
I guess the idea is that if atheists are allowed to attack Christians by ridiculing their holiday, then, and only then, can we agree that the replica of a baby in a stable does not violate their fundamental civil liberties.
I hear the sign has disappeared. It was probably stolen. It may be found and returned by the time you read today’s blog. Doesn’t matter. The sign was there and I am more concerned with its content than its location.
The sign says:
“At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail! There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell.
“There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”
Many Christians are outraged by these words and churches are demanding that the anti-Christmas display be removed. I think this is a mistake. If we do not defend the rights of others to exercise free speech, we lose credibility to protect our own message. Ironically, many atheist organizations would censor me, even as I defend them, not only in public displays, but also in the classroom, on the radio, etc. Nevertheless, I, as a Christian, will be consistent, even in the face of someone else’s hypocrisy. So here is my suggestion, fellow Christians: Leave the atheist words right where they are. Instead, let us put up signs of our own. Here is the one I would offer:
“Having once been an atheist myself, Christmastime did not threaten me. Never did I feel that my rights to disbelieve were in jeopardy, simply because I heard some music or saw some decorations. It simply did not matter. Nobody was forcing me to become a Christian and that alone was the constitutional protection I needed.
On the academic front, I, as a former atheist, dialogue with many current ones. I have also argued with them point by point in public debates. Some atheists are sincere, open minded, loving and honest in accessing the limitations of human knowledge, including their own. Others, while smugly lecturing the religious, display an arrogance matched only by their incredible ignorance. Unaware of the historical, archaeological, philosophical and scientific arguments for God in general or Christianity more specifically, they speak as if they know for a fact that the supernatural is impossible. When asked to prove their position, they smile and say that one cannot prove a negative and is not required to do so. They insist that the burden of proof is on the theist since he is the one making the affirmative assertion. But their own sign is itself an affirmative assertion: “Religion is but a myth.” Notice they do not say, “Religion might be a myth.”
I do respect most of the atheists I have met. But the specific individuals who created this sign are only revealing their own dogma and blind faith, the very qualities they so often accuse Christians of.
As for enslaving minds, Albert Einstein (although certainly not a Christian) did believe in God. So did Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin. One must wonder how they got by with such “enslaved minds.” And to those who today suppress discussion of Intelligent Design in school, I would ask how “soft” their hearts are or how “free” their minds are, only because they chose to bring up the subject of hearts and minds.
Let me close by speaking out for atheists in general. Please do not blame all of them for the hypocrisy and intellectual bankruptcy displayed in this sign by the manger.”
Sincerely
Bob Siegel
The former atheist who changed his position based upon facts, not faith.
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