WHY INVITE THE ATHEISTS? 

WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE?
Last updated February 22, 2000

Preach them how to count the Blessings from Allah
before you Preach the Atheists the Fear of Allah--

           Often a believing Muslim would say; we should strive to become better Muslims and spare or efforts correcting and preaching to the non-believers. Once a Believer reads this article he/she may have a change of heart and appreciate why there is an urgent need for us, living in a Secular Society, to study this subject. As the time changes the old clichés have to be reinterpreted. While talking to the younger generations of our own community and of the other religious communities, one soon discovers that the propagation of ideas for the non-existence of a Divine Supreme Planner and/or of the Creative Force is a part and parcel of the unspoken curriculum, within the secular education. Logic – a sweet sounding term is the key word. Lack of restrictions – a thing that every youngster would like to have, happens to be the target. Any youngster who is subject to one or other kind of parental regimentation or control is an easy prey.  Once an enigmatic secretive “permissive society”, is no more a guarded fellowship. Pushing religion further and further away gets one to the very doorstep of Atheism. Satan is not an enemy, but an “in thing” for the children of Adam who are growing up in this “Modern Society”. It is better to prepare ourselves and acquire the necessary preventive as well as defensive training. The parents who do not wish their children to get lost in this jungle, where everything is “cool” should grow up and keep apace with their youngsters. Have a heart to heart talk with those whom you wish to keep on the “Siraatim-Mustaqiim” (a straight path).

       Another important thing that one notices is that many of those who have given up practicing the faiths of their parents have become Atheists. I have come across many that were born in the homes of devoted “Born Again Christians” and have opted for Atheism. The reason being, their parents could not justify the basis for their Christian beliefs for the Supreme Creator. A Divine Entity who is powerful enough to create this “Unobservable Universe” from nothing, but when it comes to forgiving the sins of His own Creation, He has to go through a strange and definitive course of action that makes him look like helpless person. Until and unless this Supreme Creator “begets” a Duplicate Supreme Entity (a son) and the people living with this “Only Begotten Son” do humiliate him, crucify him and spill his blood, the Supreme Creator CANNOT forgive “a sin” committed some 3000 years ago, by a primordial man and his wife! I have also met Ismailis by births, who now call themselves Atheists. They would rather be Atheists than be educated well-informed-gullible adults that would worship a "Business Man" who is too involved looking after his thoroughbred race horses and investing his enormous fortune in Tourism, Newspapers and other Industrial Complexes.

        When a person compresses a coil of spring up to its normal limit, it works smoothly. When he exerts additional force and compresses beyond its limits the spring resists with opposing force. Finally there comes a limit when the person must take into consideration the capacity of that spring and stop. Application of any further pressure may result into a kind of revolt by the spring. It will either unwind itself with a powerful force or snap. A Believer has to bear in mind that every child is not created equal. All children do not react the same way to the demanding firm measures from their parents. I have seen children who would unwillingly carry on with the regimental demands of their elders when they have no other alternative. But once they grow to a certain age they express their inner frustrations from the past by repudiating and renouncing everything they encounter bearing the label of religion. Religion is a matter of Love, which should be allowed to grow with affection. I am told that in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the shopkeepers are required to close their shops during the prayer hours, by the strictly enforced Laws. In Afghanistan, the soldiers wield their sticks to make the reluctant Afghanis enter the House of Allah for their daily prayers. The parents who are used to the pressure technique at home may see nothing unbecoming or inappropriate in such regimentation. Others may say; if this is not a compulsion, what is compulsion? “There is no compulsion in religion…” Surah Al-Baqara (2) : 256. Extremity ends up with regretful results. Moderation is the key word.

STARTING WITH A CLEAN SLATE…

          Here are a few guidelines for our Brothers and Sisters who wish to summon (to do Daw'ah) someone that happens to be an Atheist or is a likely candidate. Literally speaking, Atheism means the repudiation or renunciation of Theism. The term itself denotes it nature, which is to deny and reject. Theism means having belief in the existence of Theo (a god). In other words, a true Atheist is he (or, she) who has investigated Theism and has established well founded reasons, for its outright denial and dismissal. Many of these Atheists also claim that they are open-minded self-seekers of “The Real Truth”. To be a self-seeker often means to push out all the so-called “Inherited Truths”, and start a fresh with the clean slate. Anyone who has experienced convincing a child who is in the habit of repeating over and again the question “Why?” knows how desperate and frustrating the situation gets when there is no end in the sight to this one word question. The act of convincing a child, less than one-third or one-fourth our age, which began with a simple fun, puts you in a tight spot. It seems that this young fellow is testing your knowledge as well as the limitations of your endurance and patience. 

          Before one begins the dialogue (not a debate), one has to remember that it is perfectly normal for an Atheist who is starting with a clean slate, to ask challenging questions and then keep on repeating his demands for more proofs that are “indisputable”. To you, your every response may sound “a valid incontrovertible proof” but he may be looking far ahead of you, which may be beyond your imagination. It is better to have such expectations, at the initial stages. This will give you the courage and fortitude needed to continue meaningful dialogues, in cordial atmosphere without getting frustrated. If the questions posed are sincere and serious enough to acquire knowledge and the arguments are not for the sake of arguing or to put you down, please have faith in Him who has given you the Guidance and the faculty of speaking. Holding a primary diagnostic talk to establish the ultimate objective of the other party is highly recommended. One cannot satisfy an inquisitive child whose motive is not to acquire knowledge but to try your patience. 

Surah An-Nahl (16) : 125

Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance.

       The success of any medial surgery depends upon the correct diagnostic evaluation of the disease through various blood tests, x-rays, electronic scans, etc. Before a nurse drives the patient into the operating theater, the Surgeon-in-charge goes through the past history of the patient and carefully examines all the test results. To have a meaningful theological dialogue, the similar technique is a prerequisite. There is no single “cure all pill” that can be prescribed by a doctor to all his patients. There is no set formula that would convince each and every Atheist. Examine the history of the person you are trying to convince before you enter into the arena. Here are a few categories of those who claim to be Atheists:

1. REPUDIATOR OF AN INDOCTRINATED BELIEF:
A person is indoctrinated into a particular faith. He follows it diligently with total dedication without doing the independent research. He has a change of heart and doubt creeps in. Starts rejecting whatever was taught. Instead of looking around and examining other beliefs with sounder footings he shuts the door. 

2. SELF EMANCIPATED BY CHOICE:
A person that has chosen for him an absolute freedom from what he calls the “Religious Fetters" or the "Sacred Crutches”. And, he believes that the preference for such a lifestyle gives him an easy access and the latitude to enjoy anything and everything, without looking ahead or backward. He is therefore detached and unresponsive to anything and everything that has to do with God or Religion. 

3. JUDICIAL OUTLOOK:
A person thinks he is matured and qualified enough to analyze and judge what is happening around him that should not happen. In his personal assessment he finds the acts of "Mother Nature" or of God to be fundamentally unjust or grossly unethical. He has given out his “qualified” verdict that God is either dead or has miserably failed in his obligations to mankind. 

4. HAS NO BELIEFS:
A person claims he has seen no tangible proof for the existence of God and therefore he denies the existence of a Creative Force or God. He may not be aware that such a denial also needs proof. The question is does he have the tangible proof for the non-existence of God? One does not have a tangible proof for the existence of "life" on other planet(s), but that does not prove there is none. People at one time believed, what was "observable" by man was the Universe. Today, the same old Universe is known to be far beyond the human observation.

CREATING AN AFFIRMATIVE MOOD…

          To have a “positive” dialogue with any individual it is highly suggested to pose questions that are so worded that they would for sure or most likely, generate responses in the affirmative mode. Since, “Are you going to live for ever?” is going to get the answer “No”, please rephrase it; “Are we all going to die?” or “Do you believe, the death is a certainty?” Similarly, instead of “Do you believe in God?” please try asking; “Do you really think there is no God?” “Well, you must have reasons for that…. Would you like to share them with me?” If he opens up… try to be a good listener and keep on making notes. When he has finished pouring out of his logical rationale or vented his locked-in steam, you have a variety of his “pet topics” in your pocket. If he enjoys talking, the best thing is to be a good listener. It is not easy to find an attentive listener, especially if the subject is “your pet topic”. Once you have gained his confidence as a good listener and a cool friend worth continuing the dialogue your mission has started with the positive footing. If you tell a very good story to a child who is always asking “Why?”, and if he really enjoys it, you will notice that his next “Why?” is not to upset you but to learn from you. 
 

A PENSIVE & LOGICALLY CONVINCING SCENARIO...

       There are two neighbors. One is a Believer another is an Atheist. The hundred percent certainty is that they both will eventually die. The uncertainty is as to what could happen after the death. Neither the Believer nor the Atheist has the tangible and perceptible evidence to claim with hundred percent certainty that he knows for sure what is going to happen, after the death. So, the next best thing to do for this uncertain couple is to examine all the possible and plausible options and then evaluate the probable results. 

Scenario Number One:

The possibility; There is nothing after the death. 
Our life upon this world is the beginning and the ultimate end.

Result:
Under this Scenario both have nothing to gain or loose, 
after the death.

Scenario Number Two:

The possibility; There is some one called the Divine Supreme Entity.
In that case there is a possibility for accountability, after the death.

Result:
Under this Scenario the Believer has a better advantage 
while the Atheist has much to regret, after his death. 

The Bottom Line:
The Atheist has a possibility of being at a disadvantage at the hereafter, if there is One. The Believer has no such disadvantage and as such no apprehension. He is thus more relaxed and at ease in life. 

‘The Vision of Idumea’

                Having had several dialogues with those who claim to be the educated Atheists, I happen to know how difficult it is to present before them any "True Fact" that would be accepted as the "Incontrovertible True Fact", from their perspective. In my personal opinion ‘The Vision of Idumea’ written in Greek and relating to the two consecutive major "Twin-Events" from the annals of our history, does meet this criteria.