His Holiness Pope Shenouda began with a question from a young man who said his Christianity depended on understanding atheism. The Pope explained that atheism is the denial of God’s existence, and then presented rational and spiritual proofs showing that faith is not against reason but above it.

1. The Proof of Life and Existence

Life itself proves the presence of a living Creator. The earth was once a fiery mass unfit for life—so where did life come from? Science cannot explain life emerging from non-living matter. Even matter itself is not eternal, for it changes and decays. Only God is eternal, unchanging, and all-powerful.

2. Nature Is Not a Creator

He refuted the claim that “nature created the universe.” Nature has no mind or will; it cannot produce beings with intellect. If nature is defined as a powerful, unseen force that governs all things, then that very force is God—only named differently.

3. The Order in the Universe

The perfect order in the cosmos, in human biology, and in natural laws reveals divine design. The harmony of the human body’s organs, the orbits of the planets, and the regularity of seasons and weather all point to an intelligent Creator who sustains everything with precision.

4. The Wonders of Creation

The bee making honey, the seed becoming a tree, the unique fingerprints and voices of every person, the endless variety of colors in flowers, birds, and fish—all testify to the wisdom and artistry of the Creator.

5. Faith Above Reason, Not Against It

Miracles—such as the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Zeitoun—are beyond reason but not against it. Just as we accept scientific phenomena we cannot fully explain, so we can accept divine miracles that surpass human understanding.

6. The Origin and Causes of Atheism

Atheism, he said, is not natural to man; faith is innate. Children naturally believe in God. Atheism often comes from emotional or moral causes—lust, pride, or rebellion against God’s commandments. The atheism of communism failed because it denied the spiritual needs of man; after the fall of such regimes, faith returned strongly, as in Russia and Romania.

Conclusion

The existence of God is evident in life, order, nature, and humanity. Faith is not weakness but spiritual insight. Atheism is a passing confusion of heart or mind, while belief in God is the deep-rooted truth within every human being.

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