FreThink

Following is an actual letter to the editor, a shining example of parroting unoriginal clichès without making any effort on the part of the writer to think for himself or even put his canned comments into his own words:

Thoughts on the ‘God’ question

“In God we trust.” Well, except for Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Ellen Johnson, Michael Newdow and a minority portion of the rest of the population that sometimes labels themselves “brights.”

The evidence of an intelligent creator surrounds us: Everything from the vast wonders of space to the mysteries of quantum physics stand as witnesses. So, if there is a God, his word is the Bible. The Bible tells us either heaven or hell awaits us after we depart the tent of flesh we now occupy. As a believer, I trust I’ll be in heaven. But, if I’m wrong, then there is no consequence of hell, there’s just nothing. I either win big or get away free and clear.

For the atheist, if they are correct, they’d get the same nothing. Unless of course they are wrong, which would mean an eternity of torment in hell. They’ll only know for sure when they get there, and it will be too late. Dawkins would have his evidence then. He can deny, but he’ll know the truth soon enough. I’d say Madeline Murray O’Hair, Charles Darwin, Carl Sagan, Lenin, Mao, Hitler and many others are believers now.

–Bill Cook of Mission Viejo

Let’s break this down and see if Bill is speaking the “truth” or just repeating the same tired arguments that have been debunked many times before.

“In God we trust.” Well, except for Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Ellen Johnson, Michael Newdow and a minority portion of the rest of the population that sometimes labels themselves “brights.”

While I sincerely doubt Bill has ever read anything written by Dawkins, Harris and the others or actually knows what the Brights stand for, he is essentially correct that these people do not trust in god.

The evidence of an intelligent creator surrounds us: Everything from the vast wonders of space to the mysteries of quantum physics stand as witnesses.

If you expect to find an intelligent creator, I’m sure nature appears to support your preconceived notion. It is not, however, a universal truism. Different people will interpret nature according to their own beliefs and conclusions. A personal perception is proof of nothing beyond a person’s individual mindset. To the scientist, skeptic and non-believer, the awesomeness of nature illustrates the awesomeness of nature, nothing more.

So, if there is a God, his word is the Bible. The Bible tells us either heaven or hell awaits us after we depart the tent of flesh we now occupy.

So if there is a god, he has to be your particular god? What supports that contention? Why couldn’t a god be one of any of the hundreds of gods humans have believed in throughout history? You said nature was a witness to (perhaps you meant evidence for) an intelligent creator. How did you get from that thought to supposing that an intelligent creator is necessarily the Biblical god? That seems to be a combined leap-of-logic-leap-of-faith. As to your last point, many Christians would disagree with your “heaven or hell” position. There is no unanimity among Christians on that subject.

As a believer, I trust I’ll be in heaven. But, if I’m wrong, then there is no consequence of hell, there’s just nothing. I either win big or get away free and clear.

Bad news, Bill. That would only be true if you knew for sure you believed in the right god. What if you almost got it right and the god of the Jews was the real god. And here you are worshiping a false messiah. No cookies for you, Bill. And since god has steadfastly refused to visit the Earth in person lately, you only have your own assurances to convince yourself your god is the correct god to believe in. If there is a god but it’s not the god you worship, you might not enjoy the afterlife after all.

For the atheist, if they are correct, they’d get the same nothing. Unless of course they are wrong, which would mean an eternity of torment in hell. They’ll only know for sure when they get there, and it will be too late. Dawkins would have his evidence then. He can deny, but he’ll know the truth soon enough.

A continuation of your misapplication of logic as detailed above. If there is no hell because the real god is a different one than you suppose, the atheist won’t suffer any worse than Christians who picked the wrong horse in the race. In addition, you expose one of the least convincing arguments in Christianity. “You’ll know once you die.” Isn’t it convenient to posit a truth that can only be appreciated after death. That’s no better than saying there’s a book in another galaxy that backs everything I say. Just go there and read it, you’ll see.

I’d say Madeline Murray O’Hair, Charles Darwin, Carl Sagan, Lenin, Mao, Hitler and many others are believers now.

Whether they are or not no one, including you, Bill, can say. What we do know with having to resort to faith is that they’re dead. Any more than that is just speculation on anyone’s part. No one knows from experience what happens after death. Factually, we have no reason to believe anything does.