Christ is the Way of True Common Sense: A Critique of Atheism is the Way of Common Sense by Madalyn O’Hair
Introduction
This essay is a critique of Madalyn O’Hair’s viewpoint article entitled “Atheism Is the Way of Common Sense.” This viewpoint was originally published in a pamphlet published in 1966 and revised in 1976 by the Society of Separationists, Inc. In this viewpoint, O’Hair argues that “atheism is not just a negative attack on theism but has its own positive agenda. She believes that atheists love their fellow humans not a nonexistent God. Heaven she argues is something for which we should work now—here on earth.” (99)
O’Hair makes a large number of assertions against belief in gods and the supernatural. She makes some good points concerning failures and problems with religion in general, some very valid points that even Christians can agree with. It is commendable that O’Hair seeks to create a new ethic that desires to love one’s fellow man and hopes for the good for society based on truth. “Truth has no enemy except the people who live in deadly fear of it.” (101) O’Hair also calls for personal responsibility of each person. “We solve our problems ourselves or they are not going to get solved and you know it and I know it.” (100)
However her assertions and assumptions that there is no God expose a deeply flawed understanding of life that leads to a very hopeless philosophy. In Part One of the essay, I will attempt to uncover these assumptions, Part Two identify the errors of her viewpoint. Then, in Part Three I will present a better approach to the issues tackled by the author, and describe the outlook of a life that is based on this approach.