Letters from an Atheist, Part 1

Prof. Michael Jaworski and I posed for a photo after our public debate at UT-Pan American. He's a cool guy. That's Prof. Tom Pearson, moderator, behind us.

At the close of my public debate with Michael Jaworski, I met Jake, an atheist. I found him to be respectful and well-spoken.

I'd like to give you a peek into the email correspondence we agreed to launch.

In my first message to Jake I asked which atheists he reads and why he holds his position. Here's a summary of his reply:

1. He found famous atheists such as Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens to be helpful in articulating his position.

2. With history littered with so many religious prophets and deities (including many of virgin birth), it is arrogant to think our little sliver of time contains the one true and final god.

3. Honesty and realism demand that we put away childish beliefs and superstitions and engage in the hard work of coming to grips with the human condition -- and improving it.


My first response to Jake was to question why Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens would be considered authorities on God's existence when none are actual philosophers or theologians.

They probably would not want philosophers doing science. Yet, they've no qualms about doing philosophy (badly, in my view).

So what I'm trying to do early in the argument is get to the bottom of Jake's sources: Who does he read, and what makes him think his sources are trustworthy?

* * *

Lesson for dialogue with skeptics: Take your time. Don't jump into the actual arguments quickly. Find out the other person's sources and methodology first.

Next week: Responding to #2 above, about whether it's arrogant to think we can know the true God when history is filled with so many prophets and deities.

Conversations from Campus: USTAFOS Part 3

About ten minutes into my conversation with USTAFOS outside the library coffee shop (see parts one and two below), I knew I was meant for this moment.

She was beyond engaging.

The intense back-and-forth between us unfolded in a strange atmosphere of trust (so it seemed to me) that could never be expected or predicted. Or explained.

She brought up several examples of people that she loves and respects who are not Christians, and asked if they are going to hell.

I said that speculating on people's salvation status is not my job. "Everyone goes before the judgment seat of God. He deals justly with each person. Know this, however: we must come to God on his terms, not ours."

"Meaning what?"

"We don't get to make the rules, God does," I said. "He's offered his Son, Jesus, to us. Seems foolish to reject that offer, don't you think?"

She frowned and looked away for a moment, then faced me squarely. "Yes, it all makes sense, but I don't want it to be true! There are too many implications."

"Implications?"

"For my relatives, my family." She looked at me pleadingly. "For people I love."

We stopped talking as I absorbed the significance of that statement.

After awhile, I said, "I can't help what's true. If Christianity is true, neither you nor I can unmake it so. It just is, whatever the implications."

Snap, now I felt stupid. Did I just apologize for my beliefs?

"I have to go to class," she said, looking at me like I was a bit weird.

"I'm speaking tomorrow evening at InterVarsity. Will you be there?"

"Sorry, I have another commitment. . . "

She was gone.

* * *

Between last week's post (Part 2) and this week's, I received the following note from students at her campus: "USTAFOS became a Christian."

graphic credit: http://www.dw3c.org/the-journey-to-the-cross/

Conversations from Campus: USTAFOS Part 2

With last night's "Stump the Chump" now in the rear-view mirror, USTAFOS* was waiting for me in a booth near the library coffee shop.

Our eyes met briefly as I slid in across the table. When she opened her mouth to speak her soul seemed to open as well, releasing its contents.

Tornadoes came flying out.

   Rick, Gandhi was a man of great peace and love. Just because he wasn't Christian -- are you saying he's in hell?

   My Grandmother is the most wonderful, caring person in the world. She read the Bible but wasn't impressed. Is she, too, going to hell?

   If God commanded us to honor our parents and avoid lying and stealing and murder, why didn't he also abolish slavery? Slavery in the Bible makes no sense.

   I believe that all religions are pathways to God. Yours isn't the only way. Why do you think it is?


After each objection (and there were others), I'd respond. She'd listen carefully, nod or shake her head, then whoosh, emit the next whirlwind.

Somewhere in the middle of this awesome storm I said something along these lines:

"In Christianity, God is mostly a gradualist. He's not much into the finger-snapping business, where he fixes things all at once. There are exceptions -- like, the parting of the Red Sea.

Rather, he tends to work through long processes. Slavery is one example. Slaves in ancient Israel were treated better than in the surrounding nations. Slaves were given days off, provisions for their families and other benefits.

The NT takes it to the next level, but it's really up to the church, sixteen hundred years later, to finally outlaw the slave trade. William Wilberforce heads up the abolitionist movement in England. He does so in the name of Christ . . . "

At this explanation she said reluctantly, "Well, it makes sense."

She paused for a few seconds.

"But I don't want Christianity to be true! -- "

* * *

Next week: Part 3 with USTAFOS, the conclusion of the terrific tempest.


USTAFOS: Unusually Sharp TeenAger From OverSeas

graphic credit: http://www.clker.com/clipart-mask-tornado-1.html

Conversations from Campus: USTAFOS Part 1

I sat with my back to the fireplace in the dorm lounge, a dozen students in a semi-circle of comfy chairs and couches gathered around.

Unusually Sharp TeenAger From OverSeas (USTAFOS) settled into a spot toward the front and smiled shyly.

“I’m a skeptic,” she said to me privately.

My kind of person.

“Welcome,” I said. “I’m glad you came to Stump the Chump.”

 

We chatted about her major (engineering) and about American culture for a few minutes until the start of the session.

She asked the second question of the evening -- why God would provide only one path up the mountain [Jesus] to himself when it makes much more sense that there should be many paths.

“God responds to the faith and efforts of all people, whatever their background or religion,” she said confidently.

I asked how she knows this truth about God.

“I feel it with all my heart.”

Several students muttered their agreement and I began to wonder whether the room would turn on me. USTAFOS is 19 and sweet -- exactly the person to knock off a middle-aged apologist.

I decided to risk a pointed question. “But are your feelings a reliable guide to truth?” I ventured, my throat drying out . . . 

The question must not have failed completely. She signed up to meet with me the following day.

Next week I'll recount our remarkable conversation that took place in the library coffee shop. 

* * *

These "Conversations from Campus" are meant to be instructive for your own conversations with seekers and skeptics, whether taken from my successes or blunders. 

In this case, I hope you'll remember to ask questions of the other person and not just "give answers" or refutations, or walk away intimidated without responding at all.

graphic credit: http://suburbanmountaineer.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/ama-dablam-public-domain.jpg