Haven’t all of us witnessed the scene of two dogs in a public park? The smaller dog is very brave when the larger dog is tied to a leash! Should that big dog break free that little dog will scamper away and hide, or at least hide behind its protective owner!   

One of the best books that I have ever read was Howard Bloom’s, “The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition Into The Forces of History”. In this title he has a chapter entitled “Why Nations Pretend To Be Blind” that expands upon why animals, humans and human super organisms pretend that they do not see something. One should read the book if this phenomena fascinates you. This first paragraph would be a simplistic explanation and introduction into the subject matter behind this essay. 

This hiding phenomenon of Christians has been a constant practice of most every Christian that I have known since my leaving the faith. I don’t feel that “I am the big dog here”, but nevertheless Christians often place people like myself into that position! Why should ones assenting to a naturalistic worldview produce such consternation amongst those that identify with faith? Howard Bloom has given us the answer and it has everything to do with ones descent downwards in the corresponding pecking order! 

On occasion, some Christians bravely step forward and seek to defend their faith. It amuses me when Christians defend their faith, in reality all that is happening is that their asking their invisible friend to shadow box! When you ask for a reasonable response from them rather than a rhetorical one you normally get to witness them getting irritated! 

Now, some Christians are willing to publicly debate those with a naturalistic worldview. Evidentially, they know the outcome of such a debate due to the conditions on which the debate was entered into. The most common agreement normally centers upon the topic of the existence or proof of God question. Personally, I cannot see any reason to debate upon this subject. I have never cared to chase the “God rabbit” question around because this is a rather subjective claim that cannot be proven either way! That Christian debater took no risk by venturing into a debate about the God question. They know going into the debate that at the conclusion his Christian buddies will be patting him on the back because his opponent failed to prove their point!  These Christians grow into legendary status in the eyes of their peers. Now enter into the debate focused only upon the Bible and you will see that descent down the pecking order that was referred to earlier!    

Some Atheists  Play the Hiding Game as Well! 

Christians aren’t the only ones that sometimes hide; some atheists practice this as well!  This assertion might astound you, so let us examine my claim! Many atheists pride themselves as being freethinkers, but when someone like myself challenges them they often become angry! Now a true freethinker should be able to maintain their composure when someone challenges or questions their position! If they cannot do this then they shouldn’t identify themselves as a freethinker, should they? 

“Hiding At heist” Example #1: Ex christian.net  

My first example of atheist hiding is the popular website exchristian.net! I had posted several articles on the website over time and had tolerated several of the annoying rabid atheist’s that frequent the site. The last post on Exchristian.net was my Egalitarian Myth page. Although there was plenty of “meat” to comment on from this topic, the webmaster and his “posse” just had to revert to a differing subject matter than the title suggested and argue the atheism question once again. I rolled my eyes back in my head in disgust while I proceeded to dismantle their shortsighted arguments. The webmaster was unable to hold his ground and begged for his arguments to be ridiculed by simplistic reasoning. They say that if you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen, or if you are a webmaster just pull the page midstream! In an unprecedented move, my article was completely and abruptly pulled from Dave Van Allen’s website!  With my page off of his site and with the time for his posse to pool their collective minds together, they later reposted my article after they had inserted their new comments. They waited just long enough for the page to leave his front page in a damage control move. What an atheist coward!

Personally, I have no reason to believe in a personal God, there is no credible evidence for such a position. Should one read a few older pages of my Ex-minister website you would notice that I had accepted atheism as a fitting identity in times past. Since my posting of the Atheism's Failure to Reach the Decision Maker page I have completely abandoned atheism as a fitting identity. I had first ventured into the subject matter with my What are you: Agnostic or Atheist? and then later followed that with the Atheism’s Failure page which explains why I think that most all atheists should abandon atheism as an identity! You would need to read to see what I think should replace atheism as a more fitting identity. 

I realize that many atheists haven’t given excessive thought to what’s in a name like atheism and how the atheist position under performs on the public stage. It doesn’t help that there is a plethora of definitions floating around that both friends and foe can choose defining atheism. Atheism is splintered on the definition aspect and while they are in one ring debating each other, the center ring is often left vacant when it should be engaging Christians as the main event!    

I have most everything in common with the atheist, with exception of their identity. Beyond our identifying titles we differ on matters of degree on the God question. I distinguish between probability and fact and think that atheist’s should as well. This matter is at the heart of atheism’s replication problems!  

 A number of atheists aren’t that concerned with anyone outside of their way of thinking and thus help to facilitate Christianities reign in America. While some atheists are more interested into expending negative energy into erecting obstacles into the path of those of us that have a plan to reach the Christian decision makers!  Ex-minister’s strategy is on the About page. 

Where in the hell is the atheist strategy to reach the Christian decision maker? What, tell people that the theist’s are wrong? Ridicule mental midgets? Tell theists that atheists fail to exhibit anything more than a high probability of God’s existence and ask them to accept this as proof? Better yet, snobbishly say that atheism is “the intellectual’s position”! This doesn’t resonate in the mainstream, nor is it effective! This is my problem with the majority of atheists (not all), they fail to reach the decision maker and effectively bring others to the godless point of view! 

“Hiding Atheist” Example #2: American Atheists 

My second example of atheists that hide is perhaps the largest organization of atheists on earth, American Atheists.  

What can an American Atheist membership offer you besides a magazine, discount card, a certificate suitable for framing, and some damn great articles expressing the absurdity of faith? They preach to the atheist choir! Yes, I am happy that they defend against atheist discrimination but everything I mentioned here caters to atheist self esteem and is defensive in nature. But where is their plan or publicized strategy for reaching the theists? It appears to me that their vision is inward and not outward. I expect larger organizations like American Atheists to effectively reach outside of their ranks to bring in theists! I think that they have failed in this regard and have been surpassed in the “pecking order” by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Simply put, if an organization with the means of American Atheists isn’t on the offensive but rather the defensive side they are hiding in their own atheist cocoon. The godless message needs to be delivered to the theists rather than sung to the atheist choir!  

I’m entitled to my opinion and think that it needs to be expressed. I think that atheism is a “fish out of water” in the American public arena. I feel that history would back my assessment here and elsewhere that atheism fails to reach the Christian decision maker.

 I have nothing against the American Atheists organization, hopefully some friendly constructive criticism will propel them to make some needed adjustments. 

I expect American Atheist's to deliver atheism and new converts. They are great at delivering atheism but when atheists use atheism to “fish for converts with”…the fish just don’t bite! Where are the converts? An increase of membership wouldn’t necessarily mean that they are winning over new converts. It could just mean that more atheists decided to join the organization. 

Now for an organization that isn’t hiding and has ascended to the top of the godless “pecking order” in my opinion, just look towards the Freedom From Religion Foundation! I am very impressed with what they are doing and their leadership!  Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker are making inroads into America’s Christian consciousness by going on the offensive rather than preach to the godless crowd! They are not ugly or unethical, but they are confrontational with a reasonable well thought out plan. Their plan is working because they understand that one must reach the Christian decision maker! 

Humanism is the BIG Picture! 

It is my contention that the majority of folks engaged in the theism/atheism struggle cannot see the forest for the trees.  What is lost by many engaged in this debacle is the big picture which is humanity. Atheism's focus is to destroy theism, humanism's goal is to build humanity. Humanism has many tools at its disposal. Humanism has a heart for mankind and uses reason to carry it's positive message. This is how I see things and why  I have adjusted my direction to align with humanism. I'm looking for answers and a better humanity, not for an argument! Care to join me? 

Brian Worley   Ex-minister.org   December 15, 2008   All rights reserved.

Ex-minister's Blog

Website/Contact Information