God Please Save Your Planet...from us.

Chapter Fourteen- Honey or Vinegar?

I want to start this chapter by saying: Thank You. If you identify with an atheist or agnostic worldview, the title of this book may have been a bit off putting.

I don't think Christians really like me very much, because I talk about some pretty controversial topics that challenge some of our deeply held beliefs.

Conversely, I don't think atheists trust me, because I identify as a christian. Quite frankly, I am not writing this to be liked. I do want you to keep reading though. I do my best to write with a conversational style. I have deep respect for both believers and those who Christians refer to as nonbelievers.

I don't think that second term is an accurate assessment. Why not? Referring to an atheist as a nonbeliever implies that you don't believe in anything. In my experience, persons who hold an atheistic worldview actually believe in a great many things. As an atheist you tend to believe in what you can see or perceive through the scientific method.

When a Christian says: 'Nonbeliever' it means, not believing in Christ. The very notion that you don't believe in an omnipotent, omnipresent entity is offensive to a Christian. However, I think an atheist can be just as devout in their beliefs, as any devoted Christian. In addition, I realize that an atheist's views may be as diverse as any Christian denomination.

I do not wish to generalize your position as an atheist. You may believe any number of things. For instance, some atheists are staunch evolutionists. While others may lean more towards a supernatural position. Some even subscribe to an agnostic atheist approach to life. I appreciate this position because it means you are open to discussion.

That being said, I don't believe anyone is born an atheist. Like any other belief, we are all born as a clean slate. Children will believe anything. No, atheists are forged. Some may be raised to be atheists, but I want to focus on why and how atheists are often forged. Although on the surface, evidence based beliefs may appear to be the reason for atheism, a deep dive usually reveals far more emotional reasons for an atheistic worldview.

In a word, suffering. Either, the suffering of the atheist, or the suffering of others, especially the suffering of defenseless children, fuels the drive to deny the concept of a creator god.

I would argue, that a true atheist is not denying God's existence, as much as denying God's goodness. The world seems unfair. Hence, an unfair universe equals an unfair God. Let's face it, on some level you're mad at God (or even the notion of God).

No? That's not it? Really? Look, I think you bring up some pretty valid points. I wouldn't use circular reasoning to attack your argument, as many fundamentalist Christians and deists do.

Answering the question of why, is literally the most important conquest of all. I'm sorry, if you have been rebuffed by dogma until now. I promise you, I don't want to do that to you. You deserve better. We all do.

I have literally listened to every atheist and agnostic atheist perspective I could find, not to argue, but to understand. Likewise, for any Christian still reading, I have listened to every Christian perspective I could find. Once again, not to argue, but to understand.

Please listen. I know the free-will argument has probably been thrown in your face as an atheist, many times. I have read the books that challenge this argument as well. But I think the free-will argument needs to be revisited in light of our current and future climate crisis. The experts may have missed a crucial piece of the puzzle.

By taking the position of an observer, I have noticed some things about the human race that might have gotten past these two polarizations of viewpoint. Now, please hear me out. Could it be that the main reason for suffering is us? God hasn't said a word for the past two thousand years. We are literally destroying our environment. In my observations Bible believing Christians are really ramping up the decline.

We know other religious systems have also contributed to the problem, but no matter our religious, or non-religious background, the results are the same. Why?

Look, religiously inclined people, and secularized atheists can argue about this until our grand children become refugees in the far north and far south (due to climate change), or you can stop attacking each other.

Constantly tearing down each other's beliefs is like vinegar. It just makes you bitter towards each other. On the other hand, honey is not just sweet. Honey is a healing agent. If the pollinators become extinct this soothing calming, natural allergy relief, from our bee companions will be gone as well.

There is an old saying: You catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar. I personally like the bitter taste of vinegar. It is also beneficial in many ways. We live in bittersweet times. Let's stop fighting, and start working together. We don't have to agree. We do however, need to survive. Whether God or Climate, our days are numbered if we don't change our ways. Regardless, of our beliefs, let's find ways to be better stewards of this planet we call home. Who knows, it may cause a paradigm shift for us all. Jesus Christ said: "Love your enemies." Maybe it was for a time such as this. Let's turn the next page together.