H. J. McCloskey’s work “On Being an Atheist” seeks to prove that atheism is a more rational and comforting belief than Christianity. In his analysis, McCloskey critically evaluates three well-known theistic arguments: the cosmological argument, the teleological argument, and the argument from design. He focuses on the existence of evil in a world supposedly created by God, which raises doubts about the reasoning behind living a faith-based life.
In McCloskey’s article, he contends that atheism provides more comfort than Christianity. However, a thorough examination of the evidence reveals that Christianity is actually a major source of comfort in the modern world. McCloskey specifically concentrates on the cosmological argument and its reliance on the presence of our universe. He argues that embracing an uncaused initial cause for our universe poses difficulties as there is no supporting evidence within our universe.
There is a debate among philosophers, including Plato and Aquinas, regarding whether God is the ultimate cause of the universe, irrespective of its eternal nature or origin. They contend that all elements in the universe rely on and require a supreme being as their fundamental cause. Therefore, this supreme being is regarded as God. Personally, I hold the belief that every cause can ultimately be ascribed to God.
McCloskey rejects both the teleological argument and the argument from design, stating that our understanding of creation is not yet complete. According to him, the theory of evolution can account for many instances previously attributed to teleology and design. Nevertheless, I disagree with McCloskey’s dismissal of the argument from design because the theory of evolution does not invalidate it.
Regardless of whether evolution is scientifically proven true, it is possible that God, as a necessary being, could have orchestrated the process. Due to His unlimited power, God has the ability to create something out of nothing. This concept is exemplified in the Bible through the creation of Adam from dust and Eve from Adam’s rib. While I personally do not subscribe to this belief, it remains plausible that God chose evolution as His method of creation. The teleological argument further proposes that the existence of order and design in nature implies an intelligent designer.
Thomas Aquinas argued that numerous entities in nature have a purposeful behavior. Animals serve as exemplars of this phenomenon as they possess self-regulation, a will to survive, and the requisite abilities for survival. Additionally, the intricate organ structure found in humans further attests to the presence of an intelligent designer. It is implausible to attribute the origin of these remarkable creations solely to random cell mutation. Scientifically speaking, cell mutation typically yields unfavorable outcomes, resulting in the production of weaker and defective cells.
McCloskey challenges the notion of equating man with a monkey and emphasizes the existence of evil in a world formed by an entirely powerful and flawless God. He contends that a benevolent God and the presence of evil are incompatible. Additionally, McCloskey asserts that Christians struggle to reconcile with a God who permits or even causes substantial evil. However, as a Christian, I personally find comfort in God regardless of the existence of evil. I do not hold God responsible for permitting evil, as it was Adam and Eve who sinned when bestowed with free will in the Garden of Eden.
The original sin rather than God is responsible for the initial evil in the world. My belief is that a perfect God would allow humans to have freedom of choice. To truly experience happiness in life, it is essential to choose the right path. God bestows upon us the capability to make our own decisions and there are consequences associated with them. These choices can lead to both immense suffering and immense joy. I would not trade the painful moments for all the existing joy because they serve as means to strengthen my faith and relationship with Him. Only a flawless God would provide us with the opportunity to stray from Him and pursue our own desires, only to eventually guide us back towards Him.
Although I may struggle to comprehend the existence of evil in the world, I acknowledge that there are reasons beyond my understanding. In moments when natural disasters or other forms of evil occur, it is essential to seek solace in God through faith. At times, I believe God allows natural evil as a reminder of His authority and our dependence on Him for protection rather than relying solely on worldly measures. Moral evil, exemplified by Hitler’s heinous deeds, cannot be justified by anyone. However, I do not hold God accountable for the choices made by these individuals. We have been given free will, and it is our own decisions that shape our actions.
Although Hitler’s actions were not believed to be influenced by the will of God, there are speculations about undisclosed reasons behind them. Despite their abhorrent nature, I maintain my faith and trust that one day I will achieve enlightenment in the presence of Jesus. McCloskey argued that having faith in an unseen and unknown God is irrational, proposing instead that it is rational to have faith in a dependable friend who has proven their reliability and integrity before. This perspective stems from the absence of concrete evidence supporting the supposed benevolent acts and flawless existence of God.
McCloskey argues that our knowledge of God’s alleged works does not lead to the conclusion that God is perfect. He also claims that believing in God is both illogical and foolish. To support his argument, McCloskey points out the existence of evil in the world.
However, I disagree with McCloskey’s assertion that recognizing the presence of evil alone deems faith irrational. In fact, it is precisely because evil exists that my faith in God becomes indispensable. Without belief in God, it would be impossible to confront the countless challenges posed by this world.
In my darkest hours, there has always been a guiding light illuminating my path just ahead. There were moments when my faith waned and I felt alone and hopeless in this world shrouded in darkness. However, whenever I placed my trust in Jesus, I never felt alone. By relying on Him, I could confront the myriad challenges before me and find encouragement to persevere. I cannot fathom what compels an atheist to persevere in the bleakest times. I have experienced both the depths of despair with and without God in my life.
I have realized that relying on God is more logical than trying to tackle the challenges of the world alone. Those who lack faith have no one to support them when they are burdened by the world, except themselves. Christians understand that they cannot depend on themselves but rather on God for assistance. The presence of evil in the world does not invalidate the rationality of having faith. I also find it equally reasonable to have faith in God as it is to trust in an old friend.
God is, to me, the most ancient and reliable companion that one could have. In his article “On Being an Atheist,” H. J. McCloskey sought to criticize three arguments in favor of theism and highlight how illogical it is to have faith in God, given the presence of evil in the world. McCloskey ignored any evidence that would disprove his claims, focusing solely on his own perspectives in order to promote the continued growth and survival of atheism. Unfortunately, McCloskey failed to present a comprehensive understanding of Christian truths as expressed in the Holy Bible. He overlooked critical aspects such as the origins of humanity in Genesis and the significant life events of Jesus Christ as detailed in the New Testament.
Additionally, he overlooked the fact that Christians, unlike philosophers, do not base their faith on theistic proofs. Instead, they rely on their belief in Jesus and understanding of His sacrifice for our sins. Christians view the presence of evil as a chance to strengthen their trust in God rather than proof of His imperfection or nonexistence. Unlike atheists who have only themselves to rely on during tough times, I find solace and salvation in Jesus—my unwavering source of support.
