The blatant hypocrisy of an atheist.

One of the most prominent atheists of our day is, of course, Richard Dawkins.  His infamous "God Delusion" is one of many books which pour scorn on the Christian faith, in general, and the Bible in particular.  His zeal and vigour in promoting anti-Christian rhetoric is probably without parallel in modern times (with the possible exception of Stephen Fry's pathetic "God is a capricious monster" interview).

Moreover, Dawkins is also a coward - when he had a chance to engage in a moderated public debate with William Lane Craig, (in his own back yard, to boot) he chickened out.  Not to be outdone the organisers went ahead with the event at the Sheldonian Theatre and even left a chair out for our absent friend  - but, just like the "Missing Three Quarter", he done a bunk.  To be fair, one should have sympathy with Geoffrey Staunton's motive (do your research) but certainly not with Dawkins.

Atheism and cowardice are bad enough, but what really takes the biscuit is hypocrisy and our old adversary (yes I know I called him a friend just now, but I was being sarcastic!) has come up with the goods once again.

The devil loves to mirror Christian theology with his own wicked counterfeits and this is no exception.  Why do I say this?  The answer is absurdly, but tragically simple, compare the two -
we have a glorious trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Satan's alternative appears  to be Atheism, Cowardice and Hypocrisy, and Dawkins fits the bill perfectly.  (The real Unholy Trinity is, of course, The Devil, The Beast and the False Prophet but I'm writing tongue-in-cheek!).

His folly as an atheist is well known to everybody (unless you live on Mars!) and also his abject cowardice when challenged by someone who can face him down, but hypocrisy?  How can we call him out on this?

The answer, again, is simple - Dawkins has gone on record as saying that it's a form of child abuse to teach children the Bible and the Christian faith.  He seems to think it is damaging to the child, but he has now produced a book on atheism that specifically aims at targeting .....children.

Not content with maligning the Christian faith and falsely accusing Christian parents of child abuse, he now wants to poison the minds of children with a doctrine which has been responsible for an incalculable level of suffering, both in this world and that to come.

If children read this wickedness and, as a result, turn away from God and end up in Hell, Dawkins will have their blood on his hands.  It is bad enough to reject God and His word for oneself, but to turn others the same way is just about the most evil thing a person can do.

What should be our response to all this?

Firstly, while it is right to have antipathy towards Dawkins' activities we should, indeed, be full of compassion for him, as a person.  As one who has been blinded by Satan his plight should arouse our pity rather than our contempt, he is a poor creature of the first order.

Secondly, our concern for his eternal destiny should move us to be much in prayer - that God, in His mercy, may be pleased to open his blind eyes and set him free from Satan's snare as we read in 2nd Timothy 2 v 24-26.

Thirdly, we should be confident that, as the Gospel goes out, to children and adults, then God will overrule the schemes of Diabolus and draw precious souls to Himself; indeed, we know from John 6 v 37 that every single one of those given to Christ will come to Him - not even Dawkins can stop that!