Atheism, Evolution, & Suicide

By Shane Kastler

While people and animals have some similar traits, they are not the same. In several places, the Bible affirms that people are more important than animals. God gave Adam dominion over the animals in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:26). Jesus likewise told His disciples, “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)

People and animals are alike in the sense that they are both a part of God's creation, and are thus dependent upon Him. They are both born. They both die. But people, who possess an eternal soul, are more important. Which means that modern day attacks on humanity, are not only incorrect, they are potentially dangerous.

Not all atheists believe in evolution; and not all evolutionists are atheists; but most are. Atheism teaches that there is no God and evolution teaches that man came about as a result of “accidental” chemical processes that eventually led from primordial ooze to humanity. Such nonsensical explanations for humanity and the world around us are simplistic answers, disguised as intellectualism. Believers are often mocked for being gullible and/or stupid. But the evidence for God is clearly seen in the creation which gives compelling evidence of intelligent design. Believing in God is not foolish. Rejecting obvious proof for His existence is.

One, potentially fatal byproduct of embracing a Godless worldview is the despair that it can lead to. If people are nothing more than evolved animals, and there is no God nor after life to consider; then what is the point of life? Many people embrace this fatalistic mindset and spiral into a life riddled with depression. This can, and sometimes does, lead to an over reliance on drug or alcohol use to lift the spirit and ease the pain. Which in turn sometimes leads to a chemical dependency with chilling, and even fatal results. It is no coincidence that the modern day increase in atheistic worldviews has coincided with skyrocketing depression and suicide rates.  Some suicides can be traced to specific events that sent a person reeling into a black hole.  But some suicides are "systemic suicides."  That is to say, they are the result of an atheistic educational system that tells people from day one that they are unimportant and that life has no meaning.  Over the course of time, some will sadly start to believe this lie.  And the results can be catastrophic.  If life has no point, then who cares what you do? Embrace all the sinful pleasures you can while you have breath. But if you were created for a purpose, then pursue that purpose and find the peace and joy that only the Lord can provide.

You are here for a reason. People were created to glorify God; and the only way to rightly do that is to embrace His son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Life makes sense, when it is correctly oriented around your Creator. You are not a cosmic accident, and there is eternal purpose in your existence. Don't let the educated idiots of modern society tell you otherwise. Life does have purpose. And you should have hope. Reject the dark answers that Godless philosophies provide to life's ultimate questions. You were made to know and enjoy God. Get about doing what you were created to do.

Comments

[Bill Hutcheson]

I was once one of those "educated idiots of modern society", but when I learned that valid science supports our biblical foundation based on the plain reading of Genesis, it changed my life to the glory of God. Thank you.

[Jenny T]

For myself, I was actually more depressed, anxious, and suicidal when I was a Christian. My mental health, and overall outlook on life actually improved after becoming an atheist, and I know that I'm not in the minority when it comes to this.
I can only speculate that not much research was done by the article's author on the coronation between atheism/non-belief and mental health, as indicated by a lack of sources

[Shane Kastler]

Thanks for the comment Jenny. I actually agree with much of what you said. Many versions of Christianity are lacking and can lead to greater anxiety. I believe this is because many versions of Christianity are flawed; either burdening people down with legalism or trying to simplistically boil Christianity down to pithy maxims. True Christianity, I believe, is both deep and satisfying. As for my lack of sources/research... I would note that this was an opinion piece for a newspaper with a 400 word limit. It was not intended to be a research paper. Thanks for reading and commenting!

[Basil]

I am an atheist and I used to think about killing myself alot when I was younge. Not because I felt that I had no purpose but because of Christianity. You have no idea what it feels like to be a 7 or 8 yr old who didn't believe but didn't know whether you were right or wrong and thus would lay in bed at night crying for fear that you'd be set on fire if it turned out that you were wrong. Talk about psychologically traumatizing !! You people have no idea of the psychological harm that you do to others. And you promote the Bible as book of truth even though it lies and says that atheists are fools who do no good and only do abominable works, causing most of society to distrust and even hate us. You make us feel like outcasts among our own species. That's why atheists kill themselves, because of you/Christians/Christianity and the false things you assume and say about us, this article being a perfect example.

[Shane Kastler]

Basil -- Thanks for sharing. I'm very sorry to hear about your past struggles. It should be noted, that I'm not suggesting that EVERY atheist will automatically be depressed or suicidal. Nor am I suggesting that all "theists" will avoid such depression. I'm merely saying that it is a plausible outcome for those who are told that life is meaningless. While I would obviously disagree with you on spiritual matters, I am glad to hear you have overcome past difficulties.

Thanks for reading and commenting.