Does God exist to an atheist?

An atheist was spending a quiet day fishing in Scotland when suddenly his boat was attacked by the Loch Ness monster.

In a second the monster tossed him and his boat high into the air. Then it opened its mouth to swallow him. 

As the man fell head over heels, he cried out, "Oh, dear God! Help me please!" At once, the ferocious attack scene froze in place, and as the atheist hung in mid-air, a booming voice from above said, "I thought you didn't believe in Me!"

"Come on God, give me a break!!!" the man pleaded, "two minutes ago I didn't believe in the Loch Ness monster either!"

It seems to me to be fashionable these days to be an atheist. To proudly declare that you don't believe in God. We even have celebrity atheists over here. These are people who believe they are important enough to proffer an opinion on the non-existence of God.

They are usually musicians, singers, comedians, sportsmen, and even scientists. They are opinion-formers with a large fan base mainly due to their profession, and a big following on social media. And they seem to have decided that it is their mission on earth to tell everyone that God does not exist.

Of course, these people are entitled to their opinions and points of view. Is is their God-given right to choose to believe what they want.

I have always wondered what motivates these self-appointed prophets of unbelief. They have a massive following thanks to social media. One of them mentioned on TV that he has over 1 million "followers" of his tweets. They are famous for what they do; sing, tell jokes or their sporting prowess, and rightly so. Thus, when they pronounce against Christianity or the existence of God, their adulators are more likely to be influenced because of how famous and well-known they are.

But being a successful celebrity is one thing. To imply they're an authority on God and His non-existence is another matter altogether.

These people often use "science" as a catalyst for their argument. You see them on TV/radio or on social media arguing their corner effectively. They imply that if you don't agree with them suggests that you are ignorant or deficient in some way or other.

They seem to have formed an elite club owning the font of knowledge and as such they can influence vulnerable minds by using "reason" or even humour. One such "comedian" boasted on TV once that he does not believe in "an old bearded man living on a cloud". He got a laugh, and no doubt influenced someone somewhere in the process.

I wonder what it's like being an atheist. Being sure without a shadow of a doubt that God does not exist.

This in itself shows more faith than being a believer; since most believers have had their doubts and questions at some stage. They continue believing without proof. That's what faith is.

Atheists on the other hand are certain of their facts. They know God does not exist and that's final. Have you ever known an atheist doubt his beliefs?

I believe in God. He has proved His existence to me. But try as I can I will never be able to convince someone else that God exists.

This is a decision that everyone must make for themselves. They should take that first step in blind faith and dare to believe. That's all it takes. To dare to believe that God exists and in time God will make Himself known to you.

An atheist friend of mine said that if he were to meet God he'd ask Him why He allows so much suffering in the world. This is an argument often used by atheists; especially the celebrities I mentioned before. They claim that a loving God would not allow so much bad and so much evil and suffering in the world.

Their logic is skewed somewhat. For a start, if they are so revolted by the world's suffering, what are THEY doing to alleviate it?

But perhaps more pertinent is the argument that God in His wisdom has loved us so much that He has allowed us the luxury to decide for ourselves. To love Him back, or not. To believe in Him, or not. To cause and allow evil in this world, or not.

If God were to step in and stop all suffering in the world, and all evil, then He would be in effect interfering with the existing state of affairs. You can't have it both ways. Total freedom to do as you want, and an interfering God who steps in when it suits Him.

But try explaining this to an atheist. Especially a clever educated one.

It is said that hell is the complete absence of God. But if this is so, then how come there are many people who do not believe in God and yet they seem to be doing all right?

On the contrary, I personally believe that hell is being absolutely sure that God exists; knowing this  without any shadow of a doubt. Also knowing that God is love eternal; and then being in absolute absence of that love for eternity.

And one day, atheists too will witness God's everlasting love, and their wisdom in shutting themselves away from it.