[175 words]
In one of the most powerful anti-smoking ads I’ve ever seen the promises of the cigarette ads are examined. You’ll look cool. Smoking makes you independent and mysterious. But then the curtain is pulled away and a man in a wheelchair who can barely breathe says: the reality is you could end up looking like this.
I think the promises of atheism are much like this ad. Think how much fun you’ll have when you don’t have to worry about God’s rules! Look a this rich guy, look at this movie star who is an atheist! Looks great, right? The reality is much less glamourous.
Madalyn Murray O’Hair, founder of the American Atheist organization, may have looked like she was on top of the world. But when her life was over the curtain was pulled away. Her possessions were auctioned and people noticed a common phrase in her personal writings. She privately pleaded “Somebody, somewhere, love me!” Is atheism really “cool,” or is it a heartbreaking loss of the One who loves us best?
Doug Wells
Camden Avenue church of Christ
Parkersburg, WV