By f. Themistoklis Mourtzanos
Many young people are fascinated by the wave of New Atheism that has invaded the Internet and the media.
Taking as the basis of their agnosticism, and their refusal to accept the existence of God, science, the new atheists put forward arguments based upon logic, the subjectivism, the pluralism of religions which shows that no one can be sure about which God is real, and therefore, dealing with religion is considered a waste of time.
The new atheists are still misled because they deny the utilitarian view of the Church. The Church can do charity work or observe customs and traditions, but faith is a personal affair and we do not have to go into details that do not concern us.
New atheists do not believe that there is only one truth, and therefore, the claim of religion to believe that its God is the only truth goes beyond the possibilities of the human mind. Others are mocking those whom they think to be conservative, something that deprives them of joy, pleasure, or to live one’s life without chains.
Atheism today has no ideology. The new atheist is not necessarily organized in communities based on the denial of God.
It is not necessarily engaged in materialistic ideology. One might be a right-thinking person.
One might be fond of art and culture. To be a well-educated person.
However, the presence of God in the life of some people is a controversial issue. One does not need God, and therefore, does not want Him to exist.
The new atheism emerges when the indifference to religion flourishes.
Young people are fascinated by the attitude of life that includes rejection of all forms of authority. Nevertheless, resistance is not a product of courage, insightful comments, informed opinion.
The youngsters are not interested in existential questions, on top of which is the God that exists personally for each person.
The cultural system, that is the media and the Internet, and the gadgets which makes someone to “disappear” into the screen or get “absorbed” by technology, has forced many people to create their own internal safe place for their ego and few people with whom they share their lives.
However, living a life by the side of God is a life of confidence in God’s existence, and the awareness of who He is.
At the same time, this lifestyle requires sharing one’s life with the Church, and the fellow human being.
These way of living has no significance for those who are satisfied by consuming what is considered to be preconditions for happiness.
Living a God-centered life requires effort, love, thought, opinion, thanksgiving in a world that is becoming increasingly unknowable.
It is not easy to resist New Atheism, which sometimes receives much attention. It is not even a question of arguments on the part of the Church, even though they are many arguments to be put forward.
“Persuade me you may, but I won’t be persuaded”. This quote is still valid. Silence, however, is no use. Moaning and groaning solves nothing.
The Church is called upon to put forward its arguments and to resist vehemently the New Atheist tendency. The Church is ready to pose question, without being indifferent, and to embrace young people with the proof of the Truth which is a person, not an idea.
And make patience, but at first the trust must be spoken!
