Wednesday, July 06, 2022

Why Did God Create Atheists?

A great Rabbi was once asked, "Why did God create atheists?"

The Rabbi said, "Atheists are the most important example for all who believe in God.  When an atheist is moral, and good, and kind, and compassionate, it's not because he believes God commanded him to be so, nor because he fears any kind of punishment for being bad.  An atheist performs acts of righteousness because he knows it is right to do.  And where is God in this?  If He is in the atheist's heart, or guiding him, it doesn't matter. The atheist helps regardless.  He helps because he believes there is nobody else, no power that can or will act without his own deeds.

"So when someone is in need, in our times of crisis, you shouldn't say, 'I'll pray for you,' or, 'May God help you.'  Rather, in this moment, you should be as an atheist.  Believe there is no God who can help, and say, 'I will help you.'  In this way the atheist is closest to God, and so must we be as well."

-- Posted by Wil Wheaton on his tumblr, 5 July 2022; re-posted from drew's grooveland

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