I curated this list on 13 April 2025 to complement a sermon I preached on Psalm 14:1. The list presents brief biblical and theological responses to nine common reasons why people embrace atheism in the 21st century.
1. Scientific Understanding
Atheist Claim: Science provides more reliable explanations for the origins of life, the universe, and human consciousness than religious doctrines. Advances in cosmology, biology, and neuroscience often challenge traditional religious claims.
Christian Response: Biblical faith and science are not inherently at odds. Christianity asserts that God is the Creator of the laws that science discovers (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1). Theologians like Augustine and modern thinkers like John Lennox argue that scientific laws describe how the universe works, but not why it exists. The fine-tuning of the universe and the intelligibility of nature suggest a rational Designer.
2. Lack of Empirical Evidence
Atheist Claim: A common reason for atheism is the absence of tangible, testable evidence for the existence of deities. Sceptical individuals often reject belief systems that cannot be empirically verified.
Christian Response: Biblically, faith is not blind but based on testimony, reason, and personal experience (Hebrews 11:1; Romans 1:20). The Christian tradition holds that evidence of God is found in the moral law within (Romans 2:15), the order of creation (Psalm 19), the historical reality of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15), and the transformation of lives. Though God may not be empirically testable, God’s effects are observable.
3. Philosophical Naturalism
Atheist Claim: Everything can be explained by natural causes; there is no need for God. A belief that natural causes and laws explain all phenomena leads many to conclude that supernatural entities are unnecessary for understanding reality.
Christian Response: Naturalism can explain how things work but not why there is something rather than nothing. It cannot account for consciousness, intentionality, or meaning. Christianity asserts that the natural world is contingent and depends on a necessary being—God (Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:17). Even atheists like Thomas Nagel acknowledge the limits of materialism in explaining human experience.
4. Problem of Evil
Atheist Claim: A good and powerful God wouldn’t allow suffering. The existence of suffering and injustice in the world is seen by many as incompatible with the idea of an all-powerful, all-good deity, prompting rejection of such beliefs.
Christian Response: The Bible acknowledges the depth of suffering (e.g., Job, Psalms, Lamentations) and doesn’t shy away from it. Christianity uniquely claims that God entered into human suffering through Jesus (Isaiah 53; Hebrews 4:15). Evil is a consequence of human free will and the fall (Genesis 3), but God promises ultimate justice and redemption (Revelation 21:4). Suffering, while painful, can also lead to growth (Romans 5:3–5).
5. Religious Contradictions
Atheist Claim: Inconsistencies within and between religious texts, doctrines, or moral teachings lead some to question the validity of any one religion or deity.
Christian Response: Apparent contradictions often stem from a lack of context or literary understanding. The Bible spans centuries, cultures, and genres, yet tells a coherent story of redemption. Theological harmonization, textual criticism, and scholarly study can resolve many perceived contradictions. Jesus affirmed the Scriptures as truth (John 17:17), and the unity of the Bible is seen in the overarching narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.
6. Disillusionment with Organised Religion
Atheist Claim: Religious institutions are corrupt or hypocritical. Scandals, corruption, hypocrisy, or authoritarianism within religious institutions drive people away from faith and toward atheism.
Christian Response: Jesus condemned religious hypocrisy (Matthew 23). The failures of religious institutions grieve God and should not be equated with the truth of Christianity. The gospel calls believers to humility, repentance, and service. The church is made up of flawed humans, but Christ is perfect (Colossians 1:18). Disillusionment with people should not lead to rejection of God.
7. Moral Autonomy
Atheist Claim: People can be moral without religion. Some people embrace atheism because they prefer to develop personal moral systems based on reason, empathy, or humanistic values rather than adhering to rules dictated by religion.
Christian Response: Yes, people can perform moral acts without believing in God, but the Christian argument is that objective morality requires a transcendent source (Romans 2:14–15). If morality is purely subjective or evolutionary, concepts like justice or human dignity lack ultimate grounding. Christianity teaches that moral law reflects God’s character, and Jesus embodies the ultimate moral example (John 14:6; Matthew 5–7).
8. Cultural and Societal Shifts
Atheist Claim: Secularism is the modern, rational norm. In increasingly secular societies, religion plays a less central role in daily life. This environment encourages critical thinking and religious doubt, especially among younger generations.
Christian Response: Popularity does not determine truth. Scripture warns against conforming to cultural trends (Romans 12:2). The faith that once transformed the Roman Empire continues to shape ethics, human rights, and culture globally. Christianity is not a relic but a living faith with deep intellectual tradition and vibrant global communities, especially in the Global South.
9. Personal Freedom and Identity
Atheist Claim: Religion restricts personal freedom and identity. Atheism is a way to assert intellectual independence and freedom from traditions or identities imposed by family or culture.
Christian Response: Christianity teaches that true freedom is found in knowing God (John 8:32). Apart from God, people often become enslaved to destructive desires (Romans 6:16–23). In Christ, believers find their true identity—as beloved children of God (Galatians 3:26)—and are free to live in accordance with their created purpose.
Image source: https://philosophybreak.com
iDigress 