I wrote a discussion post on my Rationally Faithful blog in October asking this question in an attempt to bring about a discussion.
Here I will expound on it a bit more.
Atheism is often described as a belief that there is no God/never was one.
Despite this bold claim, Atheists are still fixated on God. This is interesting because let's say:
- Person A does not like carrots and Person B does.
- Being that Person A despises carrots he/she will not even contemplate it; whereas Person B loves carrots and will contemplate them.
- So why do Atheists care about a being that does not exist, is fictional - a myth?
- Why waste cognitive resources contemplating a supposed figment of the imagination?
The question is an important one to ask being that atheists want God out of society, yet always contemplate Him. A study even showed that atheists seem to know more about God and religion that believers of God.
How is this even possible?
Well deep down atheists want to believe. They are hungry for God. They want to know as much as they can about God so they seek Him by means of silly polemical arguments, sophistry, research and so on. It is no wonder why so many eventually become theists.
Jesus said, "Seek and you shall find." How right was He?!
As a former atheist myself I can witness to this deep hunger which at first an atheist is unaware of. It is a deep drive to question - to seek God. At first, atheists will not admit it, but they eventually realize that this hunger is not coincidental.
There is something wrong. Science answers a lot, but there is still something missing. Deep down atheists know this. In order to seek what is missing, atheists engage theists. They try every possible avenue of rationality in order to disprove God. Those who are genuinely seekers eventually find God using atheism. This is a paradox that only God can explain.
How can one find God when one disbelieves in Him?
There is nothing impossible for God. God can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants. An atheist's disbelief is not an obstacle for God's grace.
Can the God who created this universe with all its wonders not be able to reach into the mortal atheist's mind and heart? God can do it.
Atheism is a quest for God. It seeks God. It desires God. An atheist who believes there is no God would not go through the trouble of researching and questioning this entity unless there is more to this research and questioning.
St. Augustine had it right: "Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee"
Atheism is a restlessness of the mind, heart and soul. It cannot rest until it finds God.
Let us pray for all those who call themselves atheists. They too are on a spiritual journey. May God assist them in their search. God will reveal Himself to each in the way He planned it.
