The concept of God, as we evangelical Christians conceive Him, is hard for me to get my mind around. The whole idea of an “all-everything” being purposefully creating, sustaining, and directing life is not rational. It is far easier for me to reason with the atheist and evolutionist. There aren’t any personal repercussions with which to deal. If I do not believe in God, then I go about my life, think my thoughts, and peacefully cohabitate with all organisms roaming about in the space where I exist.
One of the persistent consequences of living in a space is that your space contaminates my space. Where my living takes place is my space and time continuum, not yours. An expectation you need to remember. I will do my best to make allowances for you, but do not lose sight of the fact that you are in my space. Where I am, is my space; be respectful of this truth, or I will find a way to minimize your carbon footprint in the sands of my time.
Review the bold assertions of our European forefathers who came to this occupied space, which they named “America.” From their first civilized act on this new land (new to them), they claimed it as their space. Just because they set foot on it, they felt the compulsion to say, “This is our space! It is not your space.” It did not matter that other humans had occupied the space for hundreds, probably thousands, of years. The Europeans were more advanced in the art of “space acquisition” than the original owners of the space. They pushed the original residents out of their newly “discovered” and rightfully claimed space. The originals had a simpler culture and were considered savage. When the original residents were resistant to this acquisition, they were reckoned to be “hostiles.”
The truth is there is no space in my space for a God who claims my space is His space and makes demands on how I live in my space. My residential space is far nearer to maintain when there are no prior claims made upon it. I possess a clear title to my space over which I claim soul authority. I’ll share my space with you, but you must accept that this is my space, and I am allowing you only a temporary and limited right-of-way.
So, being an atheist is a comfortable place to live.
Most of the Christians with whom I am acquainted act as though they have invited God to share their space. God’s limited access fee is to ensure life in their space is pleasant and plentiful. They also must insulate their space from all unworthy spacers, which may cause a wobble in the tranquility of their space. Without really ever thinking about it, they have built a life with a limited access deity. They could be called “God-fearing-pseudo-atheist.” (I made that one up myself!)
To believe in God is to accept Him as He has revealed Himself. But that is just the beginning; His Space must be allowed to consume my space in its totality. To remain in control of any part of my space is to deny the existence of God. I am an atheist where God is not allowed to be who He is, “Space Commander Supreme.”
I didn’t answer the question used for the title of this blog. The question was asked to get your attention. However, there are days when I think it would be possible, at least for a fleeting moment, to consider atheism. I think about this a lot, so there will be more on the subject.
Picture – Fred Baldwin. Morning midst rising from Catalina Island, California.
Baldwin Heirlooms 