The controversy about God’s existence between atheists and those who believe in the reasonability of religion lasts for hundreds of years. People, who do not question the presence of divine power, usually have had an event or have noticed a phenomenon they consider as proof of God’s existence. This essay will provide my personal testimony of faith, which will prove my religion’s significance to an atheist in the dialogue that happened during my plane ride home.
My controversialist, Mike, a devout atheist, first explains why he does not believe in God and will never change his mind.
“I am confident that the world is full of injustice and inequalities. Despite me being a successful businessman, who always tries to help others in any way possible, I have never seen that God has made anyone’s life easier. It is possible to notice that only other individuals, like you and me, actually take action to change the state of affairs for the better. Only a few percent of people in all populations of the world can live a decent life, while others have to survive through hard times. Why God, who is claimed to be the loving father of all of us, did let it happen?
I respond to him, showing the complexity of his attitude toward the mentioned issue.
“It is never God’s intention to ensure an equal life for all of the people. One of Theology’s belief is that “without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Erickson, 2013, p. 28). That means the necessity not to abandon the faith and to continue trying your best to earn divine benevolence. It is possible that your actions please God, which is why you are successful, despite not believing in him. In addition, religion believes that struggles are challenges God makes us face to grow a stronger human beings, to perfect a person (Davis, 2014). And what is for unfairness, religion is confident what there will be justice for everyone, who misbehaved, and who followed the moral rules” (Davis, 2014).
Then, Mike asked me a vital question.
“Why do you believe in God? Because you were told to, or you are waiting for some benefits for not abandoning your faith?”
I answered him, sincerely sharing my testimony of faith and supporting beliefs with evidence.
“As for me, my personal faith is based on numerous occasions, which happened to me, I can see the hand of God. Have you ever noticed that something bad has happened to you, only to save you from the wrong way of your life? I experienced it many times. For instance, a boring appointment I unintentionally missed resulted in an unexpected meeting with my future friend. Or not being successful with my previous girlfriend, helped me find the one who suits me better. Such moments prove that God watches me and helps. Moreover, God ought to exist due to metaphysical possibility until the opposite is proved (Vallicella, 2018). Simultaneously, if you want scientific proof, it is possible to state that abstract objects, such as other worlds, numbers, and propositions exist as ideas, so must do the divine intellect.”
Mike agreed with the argument that it is not possible to reject the existence of God. However, he tried to explain my testimony of faith with numerous coincidences. At the end of the flight, he promised me to take a second look at his life story and try to create his abstract testimony of faith, to find God’s will in something, what has happened to him.
References
Davis, S. T. (2014). On preferring that God not exist (or that God exists): a dialogue. Faith and Philosophy, 31(2), 143-159. Web.
Erickson, M. J. (2013). Christian Theology (3rd ed.). Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.
Feser, E. (2017). Five proofs for the existence of God. Ignatius Press.
Vallicella, W. F. (2018). Does god exist because he ought to exist? In M. Szatkowski (Eds.), Ontology of theistic beliefs (pp. 205–212). Walter de Gruyter GmbH.