"I Don't Believe George Bush Exists"

Agnostic: "I don't believe God exists."

Christian: "Why."

Agnostic: "Well, look at the crusades. Look at how many people have been murdered over the centuries, in the name of religion. Look at people like Jim Jones and David Koresh who lead people to their death under the guise of Christianity. And I don't like what the Bible says about homosexuality. And look at all of the violence and evil in the world."

Christian: "So, that's your evidence to prove that God doesn't exist?"

Agnostic: "Yeah. I think that shows that God does not exist."

Christian: "Hmm. Well, I don't believe George Bush exists."

Agnostic: "What?!"

Christian: "That's right. I don't believe George Bush exists."

Agnostic: "How can you say that? Of course George Bush exists."

Christian: "Nope. I don't think so. Women abort their babies. Illegal aliens continually cross our borders. The war in Iraq isn't going as well as I hoped. And Tony Snow (George Bush's press secretary) was just diagnosed with a reoccurrence of cancer. Why should I believe that George Bush exists with all of that going on."

Agnostic: "That doesn't make any sense. What does abortion, illegal immigration, the war in Iraq, and someone being diagnosed with cancer have to do with the existence of George Bush?"

Christian: "Well, because these things are happening, I think that proves George Bush doesn't exist."

Agnostic: "That's ridiculous! Of course George Bush exists. It doesn't matter that women are having abortions, or that illegal aliens are entering the country, or that the war in Iraq isn't going well, or that Tony Snow has cancer."

Christian: "So are you saying that my opinion about these things, or the existence of these things has nothing to do with whether or not George Bush exists?"

Agnostic: "That's right."

Christian: "Then how can you say, with any assurance, God doesn't exist? Just because there are negative things happening in the world, and just because the Bible says things you don't like, doesn't prove God doesn't exist. Your opinion about the world, your opinion about the Bible, and your opinion about how God should respond to what is taking place in the world will never serve as evidence for the non-existence of God."

Agnostic: "I've never thought about it that way."

Christian: "So, since God does exist, in spite of the evil you see in the world around you, have you ever thought about what is going to happen to you when you die?

Agnostic: "Well, if God does exist, I hope I will go to heaven."

Christian: "Do you think you need to be a good person to go to heaven?"

Agnostic: "I'm sure that has something to do with it."

Christian: "Would you consider yourself to be a good person?"

Agnostic: "Yes, I would."

Christian: "Would it be all right if I asked you a few questions to see if that's true?"

Agnostic: "Sure."

~~~

You need not be a scientist or a scholar to dismantle the beliefs of an agnostic. Common sense and simple reason will do just fine. The goal, of course, is not to win an intellectual argument, but to transition the conversation from the natural realm to the spiritual--to move the discussion from the intellect to the conscience. Once you've made the transition, take the person through the Law (the Ten Commandments), using the method found in the Good Person Test. If they are at all humbled by the Law, then share with them the gospel of God's amazing grace.

You needn't be afraid of agnostics or professing atheists. Yes, they may be smarter than you (or maybe not). But even if they are smarter than you, you are infinitely better armed than they are. You know the Truth. So, speak the Truth in love. And remember: the Lord has not given you, the Christian, a spirit of fear. Rather, He has given you a spirit of power, and love, and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

(I would like to thank my friend, Todd Friel, for first sharing this analogy on Way of the Master Radio. The above is an expansion of his analogy.)

Now, go share your faith.....while you still have time.