Atheistic Questions on Religion

Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Readings: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; PS 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; Jn 15:9-17

Our gospel portion today gives us the commandment of Jesus

This I command you: love one another.

Below are 15 questions people have about religion that popped up in my news feed. So, I tried to answer in ordinary language and avoid self-referencing biblical answers. I hope this helps give some appreciation for religion. My answers are Christian centric with a healthy dose of philosophy.

Questions & Answers

1. Why Does God Allow Tragedies?
   Which types of tragedies (accident, crime, or natural catastrophe)? Do you mean any and all tragedies? Free will is the most common answer. Maturity is my answer. Each of us needs to master our humanity – refine our instincts, attune our stimulus-response in alignment with our highest understanding of ourselves, and develop a more sophisticated harmony among us. Countering questions. When do you take the training wheels off a bicycle? Why did we create Bangladesh as a refuge on land known to be a nothing more than a flood plain?
2. If God Created the Universe Then Who Created God?
   The Unmoved Mover is the most common philosophical answer. Newton said: An object in motion stays in motion. An object at rest stays at rest. UNLESS something external changes that. The Unmoved Mover would exist outside of Newton’s law.
3. Where is the Proof That God Exists?
   We are the proof. See #2.
4. Why Doesn’t God Show Himself?
   Theophanies are recorded throughout history. Theophanies are recorded even to this day, i.e., alien sightings perhaps. Countering question. How many sightings do you need? My sister exists even though I haven’t seen her in ten years.
5. Do You Believe in Evolution?
   Biological evolution exists and is proveable. Potential is the most common philosophical answer. All manner of biological life change are because the potential already exists within it. The degree and completeness of the intelligible life tree is still evolving (no pun intended). Countering question. It does not solve question #2.
6. Why Do You Think Your Religion is the Correct One?
   Tradition. Faith in the experience of the religion lived well and for many a personal theophany. Countering question. Isn’t Atheism is also a tradition?
7. Have You Found Any Contradictions in Your Holy Text?
   Yes! The sacred Scripture is written by men in recording their experiences with the divine and human. See answers #1, #4. I read all sacred Scripture with attention to the human faults and divine response to the hopes and faults. Read literally, sacred Scripture is a disaster. Read from the perspective of a father or mother, the reality of life and weaving a good outcome with not so good people. There is an entire science to reading literature from the ancients. Countering question. Do you not live with constant contractions as a result of competing needs and wants?
8. Do You Believe Everything in Your Holy Text?
   Yes! But see answer #7.
9. Why Have So Many Wars Have Been Fought in the Name of Religion?
   It’s a great excuse! Religion is a handy excuse as is Nationalism, Jingoism, Bias, Greed, and the list goes on.
10. Do You Believe People Can Still Be Moral Without Religion?
    Yes! Taking your question at its purest form. Ethics and morals are a human virtue and are naturally right. Please read the story about the Rich Man in the Gospel of Mark chapter 10, starting at verse 17. Jesus affirms the natural rightness of the man as he observes the 4th to the 10th commandment. If you want more, more is needed. Here’s a link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mk/10?17#49010017
11. Do You Think Believing in an Afterlife Accepts the Way You Behave in This Life?
    At face value I would answer of course my behavior should reflect what the expectation is for the eternal life. Countering questions. When you diet are you trying to make the past better or the future better?
12. What Makes You So Sure That There’s Only One God?
    See answer to #2. The philosophical answer would be only one Unmoved Mover. Christianity allows for a dynamic relationship within the One as three persons (Trinity).
13. Do You Believe in Fate?
    Yes! Simplest reason is the most obvious. I did not come into being by my own power. I am because of the human movers who created me. Taken to reasoned, logical conclusion there are many things I control and we control; but being alive is an ontological reality. Taken to the absurd level of predetermination violates the answers to #1. Countering questions. There is a chocolate cake in the fridge and a slab of uncooked liver. It’s ten PM. Which do you think I will eat?
14. Why Does Evil Exist?
    Evil is a privation of good. This is the same question as #1. Every evil is a disaster. Beings make decisions for the good or for evil. Choose good, beautiful and truth.
15. Do You Think Atheists Are Bad?
    Not at all. Really depends on how you live your life. The same answer I apply to everyone.

Personal Reflection

Bless you! I hope my answers help some.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry