To the average Christian, atheism can seem like an impossible worldview to counter. But like any false religion, it has cracks and weak points if you know where to look.
Let's look today at the issue of morality and its source and foundation in our worldview.
Have you ever asked yourself, "Why is that wrong?" in reference to something that your conscience knows for certain is wrong, but your mind can't quite decide why it is or should be wrong?
Lets look at murder, for example. Why is murder wrong? Who decides that murder is wrong? Is it just my opinion? Is it the opinion of the majority of voters who made the laws against it? What if the majority of people think that it isn't wrong to commit murder? Does that mean that it really isn't wrong?
If you follow this line of thinking, the dilemma becomes clear. If right and wrong is only someone's opinion, then someone else can easily come through and overthrow that opinion.
To put this in clearer terms, lets say that you have a large sum of money in your wallet and a man, who we will call Bill, steals your money. You would cry foul immediately. How dare he steal your money, because, of course, you know it is wrong to steal.
But Bill is an atheist. To his thinking, there is no God, therefore no consequences. To his mind, stealing is not a sin, because morals are relative and if you say that stealing is wrong, why, that's just your opinion. And to his opinion, which is just as good as yours, taking whatever he wants from whomever he wants suits him just fine.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say that all atheists are rampant criminals. I believe quite the opposite, in fact. I'm certain that most atheists mind the traffic laws, don't steal, wouldn't cheat on their wives, love their children dearly, and partake of humanitarian causes.
My only problem with this is that they have no foundation for having such high moral ethics in their atheistic worldview.
So back to the question: Why is murder wrong?
Answer: Because God says so in his word.
Man didn't make this decree. God Almighty did in the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20:13 "Thou shalt not kill." This moral standard that all mankind observes comes from the sovereign hand of the Creator God of the Bible.
You can see how this would be a problem for an atheist.
Of course he doesn't want someone to steal from him, tell lies about him, or try to kill him. Of course he expects his wife to be faithful and his children to obey him. And rightly so. But he cannot expect these things and be a consistent atheist.
He is sinning against his own worldview by borrowing morals from God, the God he doesn't believe in, every day of his life, so that he can lead a comfortable and ordered existence.
Because it is God who gave us the 10 Commandments that say, "Thou shalt not steal."(Exodus 20:15) "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." (Exodus 20:16) "Thou shalt not kill." (Exodus 20:13) "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14) "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)
For a Christian, it is perfectly logical for me to expect that if God has given these commands, then there are consequences for disobeying them. But for someone to claim there is no God, only to steal morality from God, it is irrational, illogical, and I'd say, quite hypocritical.
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The Bottom Line
The Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God. In fact it is made plain that the evidence of God is so obvious by looking at the creation that all men are without excuse.
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" (Romans 1:18-20)
It is clearly stated that men hold or suppress the truth of God in unrighteousness.
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,"
(Romans 1:21-22)
The holy scriptures make it clear that every man knows of the existence of God but they refuse to glorify him as God because then they would be accountable to him for their sin.
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:28-32)
If you are an atheist, please understand that God can see into your heart, he can hear your most secret thoughts and desires. He knows your sins. You are hiding nothing from him.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
But it is up to you to admit that you are a sinner. You and I both know that most people have broken every one of the commandments mentioned above, and I'm sure you are no different.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
Because all have sinned, all men are in need of a savior. We cannot get to heaven on our own merit.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
We must repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ.
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." (Acts 3:19)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
Please don't continue to deny the God who created you, who gave his life to pay for your sins that you wouldn't have to face the wrath of Almighty God, and that you might have eternal life.
