Functional Atheism

According to Parker Palmer in his book Let Your Life Speak, 'functional atheism' is "saying pious words about God's presence in our lives but believing, on the contrary, that nothing good is going to happen unless we make it happen." (p. 64)

I never like to admit that I want to be God, because of course I don't want to control the universe - only every piece of it that affects me . . . my kids (my husband, my friends, my dogs . . . ). And the hard facts are that though God may have created this world "good," I see a lot of people succeeding who lie and cheat. I see a lot of people suffering who are kind and generous.

This is not a new thing. After the divided kingdom (600 or so years before Christ) Nahum and Habakkuk had watched Assyria brutalize every nation it conquered. Nahum had predicted the defeat of this barbaric and powerful kingdom, but the religious reformation of Josiah crumbled and the dream of a reunited Israel died when Josiah was defeated (and probably executed) in battle with the Egyptians who unexpectedly joined forces with the Assyrians.

Habakkuk cries out,
"How long, Yahweh, must I cry for help,
and you don't answer,
shall I cry to you 'Violence'
and you will not deliver? . . .
Therefore torah (the Law) is feeble,
and justice does not achieve its end.
Habakkuk 1:2, 4

There is a real temptation to be an atheist under these circumstances, to storm away from a God who doesn't live up to our expectations.

Parker Palmer experienced this in the midst of a severe depression. Many 'well-intentioned' people offered him advice, trying to help him get "better." No one wanted to deal with the pain he was experiencing.

There was an exception, a man who came to visit him each day and spent time with him, massaging his feet. This friend offered no advice but was willing to tell the truth about the trial Palmer was suffering. If Palmer was having a tough day, he'd acknowledge it. If he seemed stronger he'd comment. But he didn't play God, he didn't try to make Palmer get better.

There is a lot of wisdom about friendship in that paragraph, but the more essential thing is that there is a lot about Christianity there. Our most faithful response to the world is honest compassion toward the pain of others (and ourselves).

Pain reminds us that we are not God. Our pain and the pain of others. All pain is a reminder of our limitations.

The choice we often make with pain is to be 'functional atheists,' claiming with words to believe in God but relying on our own actions. Getting busy. Fixing it. Atheists trust no one. And it is very possible to wear the mask of Christianity and refuse to trust.

The other possibility is to stand with Habakkuk. Built into Habakkuk's complaint is the assumption that God is good. Later in the book (3:2) is the phrase, "I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds." In those few words are captured one of the essential aspects of true faithfulness, the willingness to remember not only present troubles but also past miracles. In the face of pain it is critical to remind ourselves that this present trouble is not our only experience of existence. Each of us can recall the birth of a child, the reunion with a loved one, the achievement of a goal that reflects God's goodness.

We must hold on to these evidences of God's blessing. We must stand with Habakkuk, actively trusting God's goodness and his action in our world, his world.