"Religion is the great separator of peoples, even to this day, and to look past that is to look past everything. In the words of Buddha..."If you cannot get it from yourself, where will you go for it?" Whenever I think of God in general, I think of this phrase. Leaving all Religion aside, God has never spoken to me, and I'll remain Atheist (which I see as the only logical choice) until he does."
It's a fair waste of time to argue with people who think like this. There are better ways to win over nay-sayers than by arguing anyway, particularly when it comes to things divine. Subtle is the Lord. However, if this is the fellow's honest conclusion, he has every right to it. So I just list these that follow as a few of my own thoughts.
It is an odd point of defense for Atheists to dispel "religion" because it separates people. Dawkins did it and looks the fool for it. There are far too many factors involved to narrow it down so simply. Of course, religion does separate; but it also equally brings them together. Anything of importance has such power. Should we get rid of everything important to people? How about Football? If you think I am being silly, you have never been to a Chelsea match. People kill over such simple things as cards, (getting to the root of which would be money, greed, pride and saving face) what makes anyone think that religion is the "great separator?" Because it divides such large numbers? Millions as opposed to three? Politics and Patriotism then do equal damage (and far less good).
Though Dawkins, among others, dreams of ending humanity's divisions by ending religion, he fails to take into account that those divisions are "ultimately social constructs, which reflect the fundamental sociological need for communities to self-define, and identify those who are 'in' and those who are 'out'; those who are 'friends' and those who are 'foes.' ... It is not a specifically religious phenomenon... In others, the demarcators would have to do with ethnic or cultural origins, language, gender, age, social class, sexual orientation, wealth, tribal allegiance, ethical values or political views." (Alister McGrath & Joanna Collicut McGrath, The Dawkins Delusion, pg 51,52)
No, it seems then if we focus psychoanalytically on the problem that people are the great separator. Or, more specifically, their pride. In point of fact, the fellow who made the original statement (remember him?) shies from religion because he thinks it divisive, not seeing that Atheism is equally so, perhaps, in terms of benefits, worse: insisting that the majority of humanity throughout history is utterly foolish, while at the same time offering nothing to bring anyone together. To avoid confrontation though, I suggest leaving that point out of the debate (though I chose to put it in...)
If you do mention it and he doesn't get upset, then you can move on to point 2, not to judge God (and who are we to judge Him?) upon the actions of His very imperfect and often misguided (i.e. self-guided) followers? The first, and easiest, thing we tend to do is often the last thing we should do. It's easy to cast blame on God for things Christians do, that does not mean that is what God, Himself, insists upon. For that we must go to the Bible. As far as Christianity is concerned, God insists (quite strongly) that we love even our enemies.
Now, compare that previous 'self-guided followers' remark to what Buddha said. Finding "it" within ourselves, 'it' turns out to be the scoundrel that started all the "great separation" in the get go. We've come full 'round back to pride and self. It seems for the truth we must listen for what, while residing inside ourselves, originates from outside all "reality" - what turns out to be The Only Real reality that IS: God and His Holy Word.**
On the subject of listening, not to seem sarcastic, I am curious what the writer means by 'God speaking.' I wonder if he thinks that believers audibly hear God's voice? If he is waiting for that day, he may be waiting a while. Going around saying that one hears the voice of God is a square way to a round room. Chances are though, the Father of Lights has spoken to him moment by moment his whole life and the fellow has never noticed because he doesn't know how to, nor for what, he should be listening. Perhaps he didn't care for what was being said. If you want to hear the call of God on your life, a good first step is lose your pride and have enough humility and faith to obey another will than your own.
I used to be so full of myself I didn't have room for God. Yet, somehow I was still empty. A square peg in a round Holy, so to speak. Faith turns out to be hardest first step but the strongest and wisest foundation on which to stand. Your faith doesn't have to be blind though. Seek God with all your heart, MIND and strength. Use the head the good Lord gave you and use it well.***
**If you want details on the theology behind that "reality" I suggest studying Thomas Aquinas or even Aristotle. Plantinga, Lewis and McGrath are good too.
***There are volumes to be said here. Volumes have been said here, but this is just a blog. A good start would be Mere Christianity by Lewis or The Reason for God by Keller.
