From: "Truth Liberty"
Subject: Re: Atheism

I only hope that one day you also will experience God for himself..... not according to your timetable, but his.

TL isn't the first time I've had a Christian express hope that their god would reveal itself to me, but I wonder if they completely understand the implications of this? First they are admitting that their god hasn't revealed itself to me and, therefore, I'm perfectly justified in disbelieving in their god. It's a part of Christian orthodoxy that the faith necessary to believe in God is a gift from God and, if you don't have it, you can't get it all on your own.

Second, by hoping that this god will reveal itself, TL implies the possibility that it won't happen. If it's possible that this god never reveals itself, then it's possible that I'll never believe in this god and die without ever becoming a Christian — justifiably, too. This sort of situation is consistent with some versions of Christianity, like Calvinism, but it's anathema to many others.

 

I have looked at your site with much interest, but never have I thought your opinions were misconceptions or prejudices.....they are simply your beliefs and opinions. I hope I have provided you with insightful information.

TL was, I suspect, sorely disappointed. Not a single thing (s)he wrote was the least bit new or interesting. On the contrary, everything I saw amounted to rehashed arguments that get used a thousand times over. Just about every Christian who writes to me — and many Muslims — uses at least one of them and many use several. TL didn't even offer interesting or different versions of these arguments.

In fact, even the above is pretty common: most religious theists who write to me do so under the mistaken assumption that they must be telling me something new that I've never seen before. I see it regularly, for example, when Christians suggest that all my questions will be answered so long as I read the Bible — as if I'd never read their Bible before. What does it take for someone to first ask questions rather than make all kinds of assumptions first?

 

I look forward to your reply. Feel free to write back, I am honestly interested in your religion, I would like to discuss this further. If you don't want to, I understand.

I don't have a religion — like so many other Christians, TL labors under the misconception that everyone must have some sort of religion and, if it's not Christianity or some traditional faith, then atheism or materialism automatically qualifies. TL didn't seem to enjoy being corrected on this point. Despite claims about being "honestly" interested in learning more, I didn't hear back. I guess he was only "honestly" interested in having his preconceptions confirmed.

More selections from the Agnosticism / Atheism Mailbag...