Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Personally, I question the entire concept of atheism. Any rational person must recognize that order exists in the universe. This is referred to as the “Argument from Design.” There has to be an Intelligence behind the order. Therefore, some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.
Reason teaches there must be a God. God’s existence may not necessarily be proven by scientific reasoning; however, the universe clearly points to a One, True, and Living God, from whom all existence comes, and without whom life and all its development would be impossible. St. John of Damascus writes: “Even the very continuity of the creation and its preservation and government, teach us that there exists a Deity, Who supports and maintains and preserves and ever provides for this universe.” (Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, I, 3.).
Deep in one’s heart, man inherently recognizes that there must be some purpose and meaning to his existence. “Nature itself acknowledges its Creator by its own judgment, not by the law but by reason, for the creature recognizes its Maker in itself” (Ambrosiaster, Commentary on Paul’s Epistles) St. Thomas declares: “For the knowledge of God is naturally implanted in all” (Summa Theologica, I, 2, I.).
“For many people the very idea of God has ceased to have meaning. It is like the survival of a half-forgotten mythology. Before it can have any meaning for them, they have to experience His reality in their lives. They will not be convinced by words or arguments, for God is not merely an idea or concept in philosophy. He is the very ground of existence” (Dom Bede Griffiths, OSB Cam, in his autobiography, The Golden String, Medio Media, 2003, p. 4.).
Without belief in God, life is purposeless and meaningless. “There is therefore something like the law of God which exists in the hearts of men” (Origin, Paradise 8:39.) God has no need of us: but we have need of God. He needs nothing from us to be blessed; conversely, He offers Himself to us, totally and without reservation. Unless we receive from Him we cannot be truly alive or redeemed.
Why, then, do so many reject belief? John Henry Cardinal Newman answers:
“If you ask me why some men still persist in denying the existence of God, despite the clear testimony of reason and the general consent of all peoples from the beginning of the world, the answer is not far to seek. Just as the human will can freely and deliberately sin against the light and do the most abominable things, so the human mind can defiantly and illogically deny the most self-evident truths. The Psalmist is right in declaring him the atheist a ‘“fool’” (Ps 53:1).
If a person recognizes that God exists, he must admit responsibility or accountability.