My story is possibly quite a common one. I suppose I will aim to keep it short, but full of the important details.
My journey all began 2 odd years ago, no older than 18/19 years of age. Naturally, I always believed in God in some way, and was raised in a 'Christian' family'; in that we affirmed Christianity, but only went to church on occasions, and never really spoke much of it. Perhaps this is the same with many Christians. I was truly seeking, though, to find answers to what i felt to be my self-evident belief in God. "Okay, I believe, but why?". That was my attitude. And so where did I go? The internet of course. This is where something happened. My epic pursuit of theism began. I went on YouTube, and searched something pertaining to whether god existed. At this time, I should say that YouTube was not so full of anti-theistic content.
What i stumbled upon, was a debate with none other than William Lane Craig. I cannot remember who the opponent was. It may have been the Parsons debate, or Atkins. All I remember is that I was astonished at the polished performance of Dr Craig. He simply had a an answer with a justification to each question. I was new to these debates; but I could tell the atheists were certainly not expecting such an opponent as Craig.
After this - my pursuit stopped. I was quite content; God can be defended on reasonable grounds.
Fast forward several months - and something sparked me into the pursuit and debate again. General rhetoric in the media regarding religion or belief in God as, well...beneath being smart. And so I thought to myself "Okay, I am going to really get to the bottom of this". And so, I watched more of Dr Craig's debates and videos. He just never stopped. He seemed to be like a machine. I was even more impressed, and thought that theism was certainly a reasonable affirmation, and that objections were simply weak. But I was not as entirely sure of Christianity, however. Dr Craig gave me a satisfactory case for theism - but whenever he spoke of the Holy Spirit, I sort of cringed. "Don't speak of that after you've provided logical, evidence based arguments!" - I would think to myself. Not that I thought it was false - but because I knew people simply would reject it on emotional grounds; mockery, anger and so forth - more so than they do general theism. People seem too closed off to it.
As time went by, I realized again, more anti-theistic and anti-religion rhetoric. I cannot distinguish whether this is just a part of getting older and out in the world, or whether more people were becoming atheists. Regardless, it puzzled me. "How could such people have weak arguments and be proud so angry?". So then I again, sought to seek if theism had more to it than I knew. To cut it short - I immersed myself into the videos and writings of MANY theologians, and Philosophers - AS well as listening and viewing the atheist side, too. I wanted to hear both sides.
It was truly after a year of such, when I was certain theism was reasonable - but not only this - I became machine like too - I could counter so many atheist retorts and 'arguments'. Not only this - but i began reading Aquinas, Aristotle, Plantinga, along with Craig - and many other philosophers. I also listened to, with respect, the more so apologists than Philosophers. For every atheist retort - I immediately found flaws on in the atheist's reasoning.
Long story short, another year went by, leading us to today; and I am a theist, and a Christian + an avid reader of scientific literature
I have come to realize/have gained three things now;
1) I realize most atheists HATE God; they do not want God to exist.
2) I am so upset with the level of low level, unsophisticated yet proudly regurgitated anti-theistic rhetoric - that not only have I read and learnt so much science and philosophy, that I am able to offer arguments, and reply to objections - but I have this inner drive and desire now, to if ever faced with anti-theistic rhetoric or arguments in day-to-day life - I utterly destroy such positions; appealing to nothing but logic, reason and evidence - with grace.
3) Emotional, angry reasons play a huge role in rejecting Christ. One, if ever they arrive to Christ, will do so in their own time.
These Days
I probably spend...2-4 hours per day reading an engaging in philosophy, science, theistic literature and perfecting my debating skills.
I have become a very good debater, listener, talker, communicator regarding theism. I literally have an answer now to all the common atheist claims - which leave the everyday person who does not dedicate hours per day on this topic, with nothing to say. At risk of sounding full of myself - I am relentless in my polite defense of theism and answering of atheists. And this is what all theists, and Christians ought to do. Know your 'stuff'; never stop learning, and converse with people politely, but be so well read so as to be a formidable opponent in every day debate.
I have come to conclude part of the whole debate is truly based upon a massive culture war, with opposing views in what is good and evil, and that some depraved people truly are behind the spread of atheism. Atheists it seems, are not seeking to find what is true. They believe atheism IS the only intellectual position; and they do not want to look below that. The atheists I have encountered most commonly hold intellectual contempt; and patently unfounded epistemological views.
So not only have I gained beautiful foundations and logical reasons for my beliefs; but I can, with ease, refute the atheist rhetoric of Dawkins and co - the popular writing, which in turn means I easily answer the everyday atheist who relies on such content. I can also hold my own against real serious atheist arguments. I live in an increasingly secular country - in which most atheists are so due to the unsound work of Dawkins and Co (which I now refute with ease, able to do so in every day conversation).
But I speak too much of the debate. Personally, and spiritually; I have a richer life in that I have theism and Christ. It is this feeling I still cannot explain. It's wonderful! And that is the most important thing. I think it is too easy to fall into the trap of treating it like a debate all the time. Truly, the spiritual side is of greater value, personally.
Thank you Dr Craig - and thank God!
