When Atheists Attack: Christmas, Morality, and the Public Square

Recently, two events have surfaced that indicate a growing hostility by atheist organizations towards any Christian presence in the public sphere. The first event involves the American Humanist Association and their new campaign of bus ads in Washington, D.C. The ad depicts a quizzical Santa Claus and asks, "Why believe in a god? Be good for goodness' sake."

The message of these bus ads are clear: belief in God is not necessary for one to live a moral life. Ironically, the atheists have borrowed the quasi-Christian, cultural myth of Santa Claus to reinforce their message. Just like the song says, the basis or foundation for morality is rooted in an abstract alleigance to "goodness."

Is belief in God necessary to live a moral life? Can one account for morality apart from a belief in the Christian worldview? These are actually two separate questions. Yes. It is possible for an unbeliever to live a moral life. We must recognize, however, that the unbeliever cannot account for his moral actions. In his worldview, his morality has no rational basis. He may well appeal to an abstract, standard of "goodness" as the atheists do in this campaign, yet the question remains: "Who's standard of goodness does he follow?"

The unbelieving atheist is full of contradictions. He lives in God's world and as God's creation. He borrows God's logic. He attempts to live by God's standard of goodness. Yet he cannot account for why moral absolutes even exist. If the world we live in is based on randomness, chance, and survival, why live a moral life? If God is removed from our thinking, then, as Dostoevsky said, "all things are permissible."

The second event that has emerged to gain attention from the mainstream media is the Freedom from Religion Foundation's (FRF) sign at the Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington next to a Nativity Scene. The sign is a shrine to naturalistic reason and calls belief in God a "myth" and "superstition." Dan Barker, the head of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, clarifies on the purpose of the placing of the placard. CNN.com reports:

"It's not that we are trying to coerce anyone; in a way our sign is a signal of protest," Barker said. "If there can be a Nativity scene saying that we are all going to hell if we don't bow down to Jesus, we should be at the table to share our views."

He said if anything, it's the Nativity scene that is the intrusion.

"Most people think December is for Christians and view our signs as an intrusion, when actually it's the other way around," he said. "People have been celebrating the winter solstice long before Christmas. We see Christianity as the intruder, trying to steal the holiday from all of us humans."

Well, it sure is insightful to know that the Nativity scenes across this country are pricking atheists' consciences and reminding them of their rebellion before their Maker. One thing is clear about this recent atheist resurgence: they view the cross and Christ as an intruder. Rather than being the divine, eternal Son who left the glories of heaven and came to earth in the form of a man, the atheists see Christ as some cosmic invader robbing them of their "Christless" festivities. The antithesis between the believing and the unbelieving world is evident, my friends. And this may only be the beginning of their militant endeavors.