Thinking back on it, I believe I have considered the idea a few times but always wound up feeling like a) I wasn’t necessarily “smart” enough to tackle a topic that is touted by so many “intellectuals” and b) the strong push for an idea that amounts to a disbelief in something seems silly. It always seemed to me that the outspoken atheists of the world are more “God haters” or “enemies of religion” than people who simply believe God or gods don’t exist. Truly tolerant, open-minded atheists would simply say, “You believe God exists, and I don’t. We disagree and that’s OK.”

I don’t believe Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy exists, but I don’t write books or go on talk shows and spend time trying to convince everyone else to disbelieve. I can see clearly what is gained by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone in the world, but sharing the notion that God does not exist doesn’t seem to have much purpose other than to express anger or hurt.

However, the more I began to research the surface level of the topic of atheism in American culture, the more I began to see cause to be concerned. I’m not making an argument against atheism or for God. Many much smarter writers and thinkers have done so more eloquently than I could. But I am suggesting that Christians need to be aware of the spread and popularity of the ideas of atheism in America.

In 2007, three authors released popular books advocating atheism: “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins; “God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything” by Christopher Hitchens; and “Letter to a Christian Nation” by Sam Harris. And on the weekend of March 21-23, 2008, the 34th Annual National Conference of American Atheists will take place in Minneapolis. The conference features Dawkins and many other prominent atheist authors, speakers, and even a performer “who promotes rationality and freethinking reality through hip-hop.”

The most interesting sounding presentation on the agenda for the conference (other than the atheist hip-hop of course) is a debate between Frank R. Zindler, managing editor of American Atheists Press and the author of “The Jesus the Jews Never Knew,” and Dennis Prager, popular talk radio host, author and advocate for Judeo-Christian values.

On his Web site, Prager published an article titled “Why are atheist books best sellers?” that is useful in understanding the popularity of atheist ideas in America.

Prager argues that the “rise of evil” coming from within Islam has cast a negative light on all religious faith. He goes on to point out that if there were a more significant outcry against horrors committed in the name of Islam from within the Muslim community, religious faith in general would not be viewed so negatively.

Prager also points to the “secular indoctrination of a generation that has grown into adulthood,” the lack of notable response from religion in the Western world to secular ideas, and a tendency toward a more “irrational, mystical and emotional religiosity” as reasons for the increasing popularity or prominence of atheism.

In many ways, Prager is right. Religious people, and specifically American Christians, are not always prepared to do intellectual battle with atheists. We should know more about what we believe. But I don’t necessarily think that our inability to rationally defend the existence of God or religion or faith is actually what turns most people off to Christianity. The real truth is that we must know, and actually live by, what we believe.

This kind of confirmation for the existence of God is highlighted throughout Scripture. Jesus indicates in the Sermon on the Mount that people will praise God after seeing Christians live out their faith.

Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Want proof for the existence of a living God? Look for a sinner saved by grace and now living by the Spirit.