I would rather believe all the fantastical stories in the old legends, the Talmud, and the Koran than think this vast universe exists without a guiding mind. That’s why God has never needed to perform a miracle to disprove atheism; his everyday works are proof enough. It’s true that a small taste of philosophy can lead people toward atheism, but deeper thinking brings them back to religion. When we focus only on isolated causes of things, we might stop there and see no further. But when we observe how everything connects, forming a chain of purpose and order, we can’t help but recognize a divine force behind it all.
Even those ancient schools of thought often accused of atheism—like those of Leucippus, Democritus, and Epicurus—actually support the idea of religion. They proposed theories about the universe being made of atoms and elements. Think about it: isn’t it easier to believe that a few simple things were carefully placed together to work perfectly, rather than to believe they countless, random particles could accidentally group together to form the beauty and order we see today? Such exactness hints at the guidance of a divine hand.
The Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Notice it says “said” rather than “thought.” This implies that atheists often say these things more out of desire than conviction. Deep down, they struggle to fully believe what they claim. That’s why atheists often talk so much about their disbelief—they’re looking for validation because they secretly doubt themselves. Some even go so far as to seek followers for their ideas, just like religious sects. But if they truly believed there was no God, why would they bother?
Epicurus, a philosopher often accused of atheism, actually spoke with remarkable wisdom. He said, “It is not impious to deny the gods of the common people, but it is impious to apply common beliefs to the gods.” Even though he rejected the idea of gods managing the world’s affairs, he still acknowledged the divine nature of the universe.
Consider how even the so-called “savages” of the world—such as the native peoples of the Americas—had specific names for their gods, though they lacked a broad term like “God.” This suggests that even those with limited understanding of religion instinctively recognize divinity. Against atheism, both the simplest people and the wisest philosophers stand united.
True atheists—those who genuinely reject the idea of a higher power—are rare. They might include figures like Diagoras, Bion, or Lucian, but even they were often mislabeled because they opposed certain religions or superstitions. The more dangerous kind of atheism comes from hypocrites—people who handle sacred things without sincerity. Over time, this insincerity hardens their hearts.
Atheism arises from a few key causes. First, religious divisions: when there are too many factions, it weakens the overall faith. Second, the misconduct of religious leaders, as St. Bernard remarked: “It is no longer true to say, ‘As the people, so the priest,’ because the people are not even as bad as the priests.” Third, mocking sacred matters erodes respect for them over time. Lastly, times of peace and prosperity often lead to atheism, while hardship tends to draw people back to religion.
Denying God diminishes human dignity. Physically, we are like animals, but spiritually, we are connected to something higher. Without that connection, humanity becomes lowly and ordinary. Belief in a higher power inspires greatness in us, just as a dog becomes bolder and more confident when it trusts in its master. Likewise, when humans place their trust in divine protection, they gain a strength and courage that is beyond their natural limits.
The same applies to nations. Rome, for instance, was unparalleled in its greatness, and Cicero attributed this not to their numbers, strength, or cleverness, but to their deep respect for the sacred. He said, “Let us love ourselves as much as we like, Senators, but it is not by numbers, nor by strength, nor by cunning, nor by the arts of Greece, nor even by our natural Italian sensibilities that we surpass all other nations, but by our piety, religion, and the wisdom that everything is governed by the immortal gods.”
Religion lifts individuals and nations alike above their natural limits. Atheism, by contrast, robs humanity of the tools to rise above its weaknesses.
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