RELIGION: Atheist or anti-God?

Are you aware that many folks who classify themselves as atheists, in reality, are staunch believers in God? Think about it.

In the movie "God's Not Dead," the professor claims to be an atheist, but he has very strong feelings against the concept of God. In the opening day of school, he tells everyone, if they write on a blank sheet of paper the words "God is Dead," date it and sign it, no matter what else they do or do not do in class, they will pass the course.

One student cannot go against his conscience and will not turn his back on God. Therefore, the prof agrees to a debate. If the student wins, he passes the course. If he loses, he flunks. The story gets complicated from there, and I encourage you to watch the movie.

However, in the final wrap-up of the student-professor debate, as the professor is yelling at the student's ignorance and stupidity, the student quietly asks, "Why do you hate God?" The prof tries to get around the question, but the student demands, "Why do you hate God?"

The instructor dynamically and angrily pours out his wrath against God because God didn't answer his prayers to heal his mother and she died of cancer. Then the student makes the final statement, which wins the debate.

"You can't hate someone who doesn't exist." He is correct.

I've met several people in the past 50 years, with one or two from our town, who claim to be atheists but some of them hate God and hate others who believe in God. They obviously put some credibility in the Bible because they quote from it often. Oh, they normally attempt to shift the focus to politics or revert to character assassination but the fact remains that they do believe in God.

I gave my long-term antagonist in another state fits. He came against everyone who claimed the name of Christ. But he did it so well that I appreciated him -- and I told him so. He never went into character assassination but stayed with the topic at hand: There is no God, and he disrespected those who did worship God. I went to his office one day to meet him. We had coffee, mine with cream and sugar, and we discussed the issue.

When I told him that I would probably see him in heaven, he nearly showed a little anger. That's when his real gripe came out: God shouldn't be so judgmental. But I told him that with his Bible knowledge and understanding of life, he'd get over the anger and eventually ask the Lord to forgive him. He wasn't sure about that, but we are still friends.

The real issue for many of the assumed atheists is, as in the movie, God did not answer their prayers or meet their demands, and they refuse to honor a God like that. They believe in Him but they reject or hate Him. They cannot hit at God, so they attempt to destroy many who base their lives on a relationship with the Lord.

James 2:19 informs us that the demons believe in God and they tremble in terror. The reason they are scared stiff is that they formerly lived in heaven with God but were cast out. They know their future and it terrifies them. The reason people who hate or reject God don't tremble is that they cannot possibly understand what's in store for them if they continue on their track of hate.

Believing in God whom they hate, they try to protect their assumed integrity by labeling the God-fearers -- or Christians -- as haters and attempt to eradicate any influence Christians might have on society. As society reduces godly influence, all kinds of eroticism enter to fill the void.

So, what should we do when verbally assaulted by God-haters?

Matthew 5:11 says it. "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake."

In my book, "Charter of the Christian Faith," I've restated it: "Supremely Blest, Sacred and Holy are you when men defame or taunt you, oppress you and lie maliciously about you on account of my life and testimony in you."

So, don't get upset, and don't join the fight. Pray for those who act hatefully toward you. Let the joy of the Lord flow from you to the world around you.

S. Eugene Linzey is an author, mentor and speaker. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. Visit his website at www.genelinzey.com. The opinions expressed are those of the author.