Atheism is the belief that there is no God. Humanism, which is related to atheism, is the philosophical ideology that values human reasoning over religion and superstition. Being opposed to religion, humanism embraces secularism.
Those who argue in favor of atheism will claim that there is no evidence for the existence of God. Those who embrace atheism and humanism believe that society is better off without religion. They believe that the universe came about by chance and that we are the product of evolution. Some atheists/humanists are indifferent toward religion while others are openly antagonistic toward “people of faith.”
Facts & Statistics
A 2018-2019 study found that just 4% of Americans identified themselves as atheists. If it seems like that number should be higher, that is an indication of how vocal atheists often are in their opposition to belief in God.
However, the “nones” – a category which includes atheists, agnostics, and those who say their religion is “nothing in particular” – grew to 23% of the United States population in 2014. The same study found that the “nones” are becoming less religious.
Basic Bible Principles Relating to This
God is the Creator and rules over the universe – The Bible begins with this simple declaration: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The psalmist wrote, “Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves” (Psalm 100:3). “His sovereignty” is over all things in heaven and earth (Psalm 103:19).
He has provided evidence in Creation for His existence – Beyond the statements in the Bible, there is evidence for God found in the physical world around us. “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). Paul explained that in the created world, God’s “invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). The world around us, with the provisions God has made that allow life here to continue, serves as a “witness” for God’s power, goodness, and care for man (Acts 14:15-17).
He expects us to have a reasonable basis for our faith – Though atheists claim that faith in God is unreasonable, God expects us to have a faith in Him that is based upon evidence. The Hebrew writer defined faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV). When Paul taught the gospel, he provided reasons and evidence as to why people were to believe His message about Christ (Acts 17:2-3).
The fool says there is no God – Because of the evidence for the existence and power of God that leaves the unbeliever “without excuse” (Romans 1:20), the psalmist was able to say, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). Those who reject God want to portray Christians as being foolish, yet they are the ones who have rejected the plain evidence for God in favor of the unproven and unprovable counter theories of men.
Man has been placed over Creation, but is not in the place of God – Atheism and humanism contain the belief that man is the most highly evolved form of life in the world and there is no “god” above man. It is true that man is above all living creatures on the earth, but this is because God put man in this position since he was made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28). Yet man is not God (Ezekiel 28:2), and can never be in the place of God.
Bottom Line
God has provided evidence for mankind that proves His existence. Yet many have rejected this evidence, refused to submit to God, and have placed themselves/mankind in a place of preeminence in the universe.
