What Unbelievers Believe

by Kenny Chumbley
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 2, June 1994

Atheists like to portray Christianity as the non-thinking man’s sugar stick. They, we are told, are guided by reason and logic, whereas believers hold to antiquated religious superstitions that have been scientifically debunked. Nothing, however, could be farther from the truth, for it is the atheist who has committed intellectual suicide. Though they identify themselves as “unbelievers,” atheists are not without beliefs. But they are extremely reluctant to talk about their beliefs. And for good reason—viz, the affirmative case for atheism is fatally weak. When the sceptic’s beliefs are subjected to critical analysis, it is the atheist, not the Christian, who is found to hold untenable presuppositions.

Cosmological Alternatives

Cosmology is a branch of philosophy that studies the origin of the universe. Though the subject might sound intimidating, its relevance to the issue of atheistic beliefs can be readily demonstrated. To this end, consider the following:

Universe: If there is one fact universally accepted, it is that the universe exists. But from whence did it come? Only two possible explanations exist.

1. No beginning: Some scientists believe matter is eternal and have postulated theories such as the “Steady State” and “Oscillating” models to explain how the universe could have always existed. The only problem with these theories is that not a shred of physical evidence exists to substantiate either; they simply do not fit the facts of observational cosmology. To believe the universe is eternal is to believe it is a cosmic perpetual motion machine. And the same laws of physics that make an eternally running machine impossible on earth preclude the possibility of an eternally running universe.
2. Beginning: “Now three lines of evidence—the motions of the galaxies, the laws of thermodynamics, and the life story of the stars—pointed to one conclusion; all indicated that the Universe had a beginning” (Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, p. 111). Science, therefore, says there was a point at which the universe began. But if it began to exist, what was the cause?
   1. Uncaused: Does anyone seriously believe there was no cause for the universe’s beginning? Did it pop into existence spontaneously? To so argue is to take an unscientific tack, for science says “out of nothing, nothing comes.” If there was ever a time in the past when nothing existed (no matter, energy, force, etc.), nothing would exist now.
   2. Caused: If the universe began to exist (as science says it did), there had to be some logical cause. And again, only two possibilities exist as to the nature of that cause.
      1. Impersonal: What impersonal forces can science point us to that adequately explain the existence of the universe? What was the nature of these forces? And were these impersonal forces themselves caused or uncaused? To believe, as atheists must, that impersonal forces caused the universe is a gigantic leap of blind faith for which no evidence exists.
      2. Personal: Clearly, the most plausible explanation for the existence of the universe is this: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” To believe that Jehovah is the ultimate reality, the Uncaused Cause of all things, is not only consistent with what science acknowledges, but is undeniably true in light of the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Remember: for an atheist to believe the universe is eternal, or uncaused, or caused by impersonal forces is to hold a belief scientifically unprovable and at odds with what science admits.