LETTERS FROM... (ATHEISTS?)
Letters Table of Contents | Letters From... (Atheists?)

Hello,

Why do people believe in God when they have no proof of his existence? Sure people say there have been miracles, but not everyone has seen them. Also, isn't teaching kids about God really brainwashing them? Kids are too young to understand everything in the world around them.

Our Answer:

Hello _____:

Thank you for your email. I appreciate your writing to us to ask questions about God.

In general, people believe in god(s), because God has put the knowledge of Himself in everyone. That is why the belief in some sort of god is universal in all cultures. There has never been a culture or society that did not recognize the existence of god. (Atheism is a faith that has only recently developed.)

"For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God." - Romans 1:19-20 (NLT)

Miracles do not prove there is a God -- they just show there is some power greater than us. However, they can help lead us toward God.

Christianity is the only faith that is grounded in historical fact. For example, archeology has never disproven anything in the Bible and each year it continually proves more and more of the Bible to be historically true. These facts can help lead some people to God, but just like miracles they can not make anyone believe in God, nor are they needed in order for someone to believe in God.

Belief in God can be very simple. People who have never seen the Bible start to believe in God because they recognize they are not perfect. They make mistakes and do things that are wrong (in the Bible it is called sin.) We all do. We are all sinners, and there are consequences we must face for our sin. However, we can be made clean. All of our wrong deeds can be forgiven in an instant because Jesus has taken the punishment for everything we have done wrong. Because Jesus died for us (for me and for you personally) he has given us the free gift of freedom from our sins. We are free from the guilt, the shame and the slavery of sin, forever. We don't have to do anything, just believe that Jesus is your Lord and savior.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NLT)

That is Christianity.

It actually seems too simple. But there is no feeling like the weight that lifts from your heart when you know you are forgiven -- totally and completely.

- - - - -

Brainwashing is a word loaded with emotion, so let's be sure we are using this word correctly. According to Webster's brainwashing is defined as a forcible attempt by indoctrination to induce someone to give up his basic political, social or religious beliefs and to accept contrasting regimented ideas.

Just like we teach our children other things, teaching kids about Christ is teaching them about the world around them, and giving them a better life than they otherwise would have.

Even just looking at it from strictly a scientific view. Numerous studies have shown that Evangelical Christians are happier, healthier, they are typically not lonely, nor are they stressed out. Isn't that what we want for our kids?

On the other hand atheists and agnostics live the hardest life. They are the most stressed out, the most lonely, and the least likely to be satisfied with their lives.

For example, see:

Barna Report on Belief in God and Happiness

It seems to me, based on the Bible, real-life experience, and the scientific evidence, anyone who raises a child as an atheist is the one who is doing the brainwashing* and doing the most harm to their child.

Yours in Christ,
Steve
Mission to America

*Since God has put the knowledge of Himself in everyone, getting a child to not believe in God fits the dictionary definition of brainwashing. While teaching a child about God, someone he already knows about in his heart, does not fit the definition of brainwashing.

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