"The Narrow Road": Blogs By Shane Kastler: Atheism & Evolution Cannot Explain Evil Like The Las Vegas Massacre

By Shane Kastler

After tragedies such as the Las Vegas shooting occur, people often question God. Sincere debates arise in people's minds as to how this unspeakable horror could occur. Is there a God? If so, is he powerful enough to prevent such tragedies? And if so, then why doesn't he? But before any of these questions can be addressed, we should consider the question as to what is “good” and “evil.” And how can these categories exist, if there isn't a God who establishes a righteous standard? Las Vegas shouldn't make us question God. It should make us question atheism.

Since the shooting, I've heard two different atheists make very interesting statements. One of them claimed that he could not believe in God, since such evil exists in the world. The other one explained the shooting by making the statement, “This is the result of living in a fallen world.” I would like to consider both of these statements, and point out how they expose the atheist worldview as a worldview that cannot adequately explain reality. In short, atheism is illogical and these two statements prove it to be so.

First of all, let's examine the idea that God cannot exist if such evil is present in the world. Before we can debate the issue of God's sovereignty versus man's responsibility; or God's power over evil; we have to establish how there can be categories such as “good” and “evil” in the first place. Atheism attempts to provide a moral standard for the world by presenting an irrational worldview that cannot adequately define or explain the evil around us. Sometimes, atheists will say that “good” is defined as whatever brings the most amount of happiness to the greatest number of people. But such “majority rules” types of standards hold no water. What if the “majority” of people decide that rape makes them happy? Does this make rape righteous? Of course not. And while some may claim I'm using an absurd example to make a point, my point remains nonetheless. There was a time when the “majority” of Americans believed slavery was acceptable. Did this make it so? The atheist cannot consistently argue against this, especially if they believe in evolution; as most atheists do.

If atheism is true, then the Las Vegas shooter's actions could not be called evil. How can categories of “good” and “evil” exist in a world with no God to establish a righteous standard? Categories of “good” and “evil” make no rational sense in world devoid of God. In all honesty, the very fact that our sense of justice wells up within us in the wake of tragedies like the Vegas shooting is proof that God is there. And that he has given us, in some measure, a sense of right and wrong; flawed though it may be.

Likewise, evolution cannot adequately explain the heinous actions of the Las Vegas shooter. At least not from a moral perspective. After all, if evolution is true, then the Las Vegas shooter could not be held accountable for his actions, as it would simply be an example of “survival of the fittest.” He's nothing more than an evolved monkey who learned to shoot. Evolution itself is based on a chemical chaos that cannot be explained by the world around us. If molecules randomly appeared, exploded, and evolved into self-aware creatures capable of rationalizing what is “good” and “evil”; then how can we blame a human who is as “off-kilter” to the point of mass murder? At best he would be a warped mutation. At worst, he is merely an example of what all “evolved creatures” are capable of. This thought is both scary and irrational.

Atheism cannot adequately define or explain evil. Nor can evolution. But atheistic evolutionists know full well that evil exists. Being created in the “image of God” they have enough of the stamp of the divine on their soul that they can express shock and profound sadness when they experience evil, which explains the second statement I heard an atheist utter: “This is the result of living in a fallen world.” My answer to this atheist, is that he is EXACTLY right! And in making this statement, he is exposing the fact that deep down, even he knows his worldview is hopelessly flawed. Deep down he knows that God is there. That good exists. And that evil is truly evil. By nature, man knows God is there; but because of sin he “suppresses” this truth in unrighteousness. (Romans 1:18) When an atheist speaks of a “fallen” world; what “fall” is he referring to? Regardless of whether or not he would admit it, he is referencing the “fall of man” that occurred in the Garden of Eden, when our first parents disobeyed God and brought a sin curse upon us all. This curse is exemplified daily in countless ways. What happened in Las Vegas is one graphic example and deep down, even the atheist knows this to be true. Indeed sinful man has “fallen” and we all feel the daily effects of this spiritual plunge.

Even the atheist can see the evil around them, just as they can recognize acts of kindness. But they cannot explain either. Random evolutionary “chance” produces neither good nor evil. Neither kindness nor cruelty. It simply produces chaos that cannot be described in moral terms. To be sure, there is indeed chaos around us. But the chaos is produced by created beings who rebel against their Creator and harm their fellow creatures......sometimes fatally. This moral chaos is Biblically defined as sin; that unrighteous act that is described as “unrighteous” because there is a God who has determined it to be so.

After a tragedy like the one that occurred in Las Vegas, emotions are raw, sorrow is deep, and the questions are many. And in the light of such depravity it is normal to seek explanations for the evil that exists all around us. But atheism cannot explain it. In fact, atheism cannot even define evil as evil. But “theism” - or more specifically, Christian “theism” can. Christianity alone can give you the moral categories to understand the world in which you live. Christianity defines sin, explains evil, and presents a remedy for it in the gospel of Jesus Christ; who came to earth and lived and died so that sinners such as us might be forgiven and know God in a profoundly saving way. Atheism will do nothing but fill your mind with unanswerable questions. Christianity will answer the unanswerable, give life true meaning, and plant deep within you an eternal hope that no bullet can take away.