Is Anybody Out There?

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Virtual Christian Magazine Editorial
Is Anybody Out There?
By Mike Bennett

An atheist raises good questions. "Does God exist?" may well be life's ultimate question.

his week we received a thought-provoking e-mail message from an atheist. He lost faith in God in the midst of family tragedies. He became convinced that a good God couldn't have allowed his family members to die when he needed them most.

What pain and trauma this person must have gone through! How my heart goes out to him!

I wish I could think of words of comfort and easy answers to give. How would you answer? The issue defies the ability of a short e-mail reply to fix.

In my words of condolence, I didn't want to pretend to understand the pain he's faced. Still, it seems he had some desire for dialog on the subject. I wanted to leave the door open. If he's interested in knowing why, in spite of all the problems in the world, we believe God exists, I mentioned we could send him a thoughtful publication on the subject, or answer any questions he has.

New look at the beginning

The publication I mentioned was fresh on my mind. Just last month a beautifully illustrated new booklet was printed. Hundreds of hours of research, writing and editing went into this readable, relevant publication titled,

I personally love science, so the sections dealing with astronomy and biology grabbed my interest. But the booklet is understandable and interesting even if you aren't a science buff.

Consider this short selection from the sidebar dealing with the earth being "A Planet Perfect for Life":

"Could life on earth be the product of a blind watchmaker or no watchmaker at all? Could it be strictly the result of blind chance?

"Some scientists have concluded that earth may be the only planet in the universe that harbors life because the conditions necessary for life are so exacting that the possibility of life on other planets is infinitesimal.

"Earth's atmosphere is one way our planet is finely tuned for life. No other planet in our solar system has anything remotely like it. High in the atmosphere, ozone blocks cancer-causing radiation emanating from the sun. The atmosphere shields us from meteors, burning up the overwhelming majority long before they reach earth. Otherwise they would cause great damage and loss of life.

"Our atmosphere contains a mixture of gases in perfect proportions to sustain life. Oxygen makes up 21 percent of our air. Without oxygen, all animate life--including humans--would die in minutes. But too much oxygen is toxic and makes combustible materials more flammable. If the proportion of oxygen in the air increased to only 24 percent, destructive fires would frequently break out and be much harder to bring under control. Objects around us could literally burst into flame.

"Nitrogen, making up 78 percent of earth's atmosphere, dilutes the oxygen and serves a vital function as a fertilizer for plants. During thunderstorms millions of lightning bolts around the earth each day combine some nitrogen with oxygen, creating compounds that are then washed to earth by rain, where they can be utilized by plants.

"Carbon dioxide makes up much of the rest of our atmosphere. Without it plant life would be impossible. Plants require carbon dioxide, which they take in while giving off oxygen. Animals and humans are the opposite, breathing in oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. Plant life sustains human and animal life and vice versa in a magnificent, precise, self-sustaining cycle.

"Even the thickness of the earth's crust plays a part in regulating our atmosphere. If earth's crust were much thicker, it would hoard oxygen below the surface as oxides. But a thinner crust would leave us susceptible to frequent earthquakes and devastating volcanoes that would permeate our atmosphere with volcanic ash.

"How important is the precise balance in our atmosphere? Our neighboring planet Venus suffers from what is thought to be a runaway greenhouse effect in which heat is trapped and cannot escape. One NASA astronomer noted that our sterile, lifeless moon 'is a friendly place compared to Venus, where, from skies forty kilometers high a rain of concentrated sulfuric acid falls toward a surface that is as hot as boiling lead' (Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, 1992, page 117)."

The section goes on to describe how earth's size and position, the presence of life-sustaining water and even the placement of the moon and other planets in our solar system are precisely tuned to making life possible here. The booklet goes on to address everything from the big bang theory to the fossil record, with an emphasis on the wonders of creation and the meaning of it all.

The intricate design of the universe, our earth and the life upon it speaks to me of the work of a Master Designer.

As Albert Einstein put it: "Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe--a spirit vastly superior to that of man" (The Quotable Einstein, page 152).

In my backyard

As I write this, a cardinal enjoys our bird feeder in the backyard, and I look out on daffodils bursting forth, heralding the coming of spring. The beauty and intricacy of the world beyond my window also whispers to me of a loving Designer. Yes that whisper can be drowned out by the cries and cacophony of the modern manmade world, with its agonies and heartache. Why would the loving Artisan allow His creation to be trashed and ravaged? This ageless question cannot just be brushed aside. It deserves careful consideration.

This gets back to the atheist's letter. For the pain and suffering that led this person to question God's existence also cloak the question, What meaning do those lives--and deaths--have?

The answer I find lies at the heart of what man is, and what we are to become. We are not robots. Would we be fully human if we did not have the power to choose--the power of free will? Does not this ability to choose give us the opportunity to reach out to the Divine, to incorporate the true characteristics of all that is good and right and beautiful? But conversely, does it not also give us the chance to descend into all that is hurtful and destructive? And that destruction and pain naturally affect the innocent as well as the guilty.

Why does the evil have free reign in today's world? What can be done to change man's course from this way of destruction to a higher path? Of course the atheist must consider these questions as well. I find the answers to those questions is the whole story of the Bible.

Though the Bible records much woe and pain, the story has a happy ending. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

This hope is powerful, and can help strengthen us to withstand the troubles of today, and to strive to preview that positive world in our lives here and now. To the atheist who considers this a false hope, it would seem that Christians would be of all men most miserable. But what answer--what hope--does atheism offer?

The United Church of God, which sponsors Virtual Christian Magazine, considers these questions very important, and offers thoughtful publications to address these issues. In keeping with our philosophy of the way of give, we offer these booklets free of charge. In addition to mentioned above, there are booklets about , and A complete listing of publications can be found in our literature library at http://www.ucg.org.

God is there. He cares, and He has a plan for you. Seek Him, and you shall find.

Copyright 2000 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved.

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				Virtual Christian Magazine Editorial Is Anybody Out There? By Mike Bennett An atheist raises good questions. "Does God exist?" may well be life's ultimate question. his week we received a thought-provoking e-mail message from an atheist. He lost faith in God in the midst of family tragedies. He became convinced that a good God couldn't have allowed his family members to die when he needed them most. What pain and trauma this person must have gone through! How my heart goes out to him! I wish I could think of words of comfort and easy answers to give. How would you answer? The issue defies the ability of a short e-mail reply to fix. In my words of condolence, I didn't want to pretend to understand the pain he's faced. Still, it seems he had some desire for dialog on the subject. I wanted to leave the door open. If he's interested in knowing why, in spite of all the problems in the world, we believe God exists, I mentioned we could send him a thoughtful publication on the subject, or answer any questions he has. New look at the beginning The publication I mentioned was fresh on my mind. Just last month a beautifully illustrated new booklet was printed. Hundreds of hours of research, writing and editing went into this readable, relevant publication titled, I personally love science, so the sections dealing with astronomy and biology grabbed my interest. But the booklet is understandable and interesting even if you aren't a science buff. Consider this short selection from the sidebar dealing with the earth being "A Planet Perfect for Life": "Could life on earth be the product of a blind watchmaker or no watchmaker at all? Could it be strictly the result of blind chance? "Some scientists have concluded that earth may be the only planet in the universe that harbors life because the conditions necessary for life are so exacting that the possibility of life on other planets is infinitesimal. "Earth's atmosphere is one way our planet is finely tuned for life. No other planet in our solar system has anything remotely like it. High in the atmosphere, ozone blocks cancer-causing radiation emanating from the sun. The atmosphere shields us from meteors, burning up the overwhelming majority long before they reach earth. Otherwise they would cause great damage and loss of life. "Our atmosphere contains a mixture of gases in perfect proportions to sustain life. Oxygen makes up 21 percent of our air. Without oxygen, all animate life--including humans--would die in minutes. But too much oxygen is toxic and makes combustible materials more flammable. If the proportion of oxygen in the air increased to only 24 percent, destructive fires would frequently break out and be much harder to bring under control. Objects around us could literally burst into flame. "Nitrogen, making up 78 percent of earth's atmosphere, dilutes the oxygen and serves a vital function as a fertilizer for plants. During thunderstorms millions of lightning bolts around the earth each day combine some nitrogen with oxygen, creating compounds that are then washed to earth by rain, where they can be utilized by plants. "Carbon dioxide makes up much of the rest of our atmosphere. Without it plant life would be impossible. Plants require carbon dioxide, which they take in while giving off oxygen. Animals and humans are the opposite, breathing in oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. Plant life sustains human and animal life and vice versa in a magnificent, precise, self-sustaining cycle. "Even the thickness of the earth's crust plays a part in regulating our atmosphere. If earth's crust were much thicker, it would hoard oxygen below the surface as oxides. But a thinner crust would leave us susceptible to frequent earthquakes and devastating volcanoes that would permeate our atmosphere with volcanic ash. "How important is the precise balance in our atmosphere? Our neighboring planet Venus suffers from what is thought to be a runaway greenhouse effect in which heat is trapped and cannot escape. One NASA astronomer noted that our sterile, lifeless moon 'is a friendly place compared to Venus, where, from skies forty kilometers high a rain of concentrated sulfuric acid falls toward a surface that is as hot as boiling lead' (Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, 1992, page 117)." The section goes on to describe how earth's size and position, the presence of life-sustaining water and even the placement of the moon and other planets in our solar system are precisely tuned to making life possible here. The booklet goes on to address everything from the big bang theory to the fossil record, with an emphasis on the wonders of creation and the meaning of it all. The intricate design of the universe, our earth and the life upon it speaks to me of the work of a Master Designer. As Albert Einstein put it: "Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe--a spirit vastly superior to that of man" (The Quotable Einstein, page 152). In my backyard As I write this, a cardinal enjoys our bird feeder in the backyard, and I look out on daffodils bursting forth, heralding the coming of spring. The beauty and intricacy of the world beyond my window also whispers to me of a loving Designer. Yes that whisper can be drowned out by the cries and cacophony of the modern manmade world, with its agonies and heartache. Why would the loving Artisan allow His creation to be trashed and ravaged? This ageless question cannot just be brushed aside. It deserves careful consideration. This gets back to the atheist's letter. For the pain and suffering that led this person to question God's existence also cloak the question, What meaning do those lives--and deaths--have? The answer I find lies at the heart of what man is, and what we are to become. We are not robots. Would we be fully human if we did not have the power to choose--the power of free will? Does not this ability to choose give us the opportunity to reach out to the Divine, to incorporate the true characteristics of all that is good and right and beautiful? But conversely, does it not also give us the chance to descend into all that is hurtful and destructive? And that destruction and pain naturally affect the innocent as well as the guilty. Why does the evil have free reign in today's world? What can be done to change man's course from this way of destruction to a higher path? Of course the atheist must consider these questions as well. I find the answers to those questions is the whole story of the Bible. Though the Bible records much woe and pain, the story has a happy ending. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). This hope is powerful, and can help strengthen us to withstand the troubles of today, and to strive to preview that positive world in our lives here and now. To the atheist who considers this a false hope, it would seem that Christians would be of all men most miserable. But what answer--what hope--does atheism offer? The United Church of God, which sponsors Virtual Christian Magazine, considers these questions very important, and offers thoughtful publications to address these issues. In keeping with our philosophy of the way of give, we offer these booklets free of charge. In addition to mentioned above, there are booklets about , and A complete listing of publications can be found in our literature library at http://www.ucg.org. God is there. He cares, and He has a plan for you. Seek Him, and you shall find. Copyright 2000 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved.