I was out having a coffee with Pete this morning and some Christian campaigners came over to our table. The devout pair was really friendly, and you could see that they meant well, but it really gave me the shits. We’re middle-aged men for Christ sake; we’re not seeking a path to enlightenment. Their pitch began with a friendly greeting and seemingly genuine interest in our lives. I expressed an air of disinterest and gave nothing but short, blunt answers. For some reason Pete was really soaking it up; he looked to be having a great time. Eventually one of them got to the point: “So do you believe in God?”
“No, I don’t,” said Pete, “and I don’t see how anyone can.”
“So how do you explain our existence?” she asked. “How did all of this get here?” She scanned the room pensively.
“Our existence comes from evolution,” he replied, “and this coffee shop is a product of a market economy.”
“Maybe you’re right, maybe we do stem from lesser beings,” the girl said, “but where did they come from?”
“Evolution didn’t start with chimpanzees. We can be traced back to single celled organisms,” Pete answered. “And I know where you’re going with this. You’ll ask: ‘so what created the original organisms?’ By default, my inability to confidently respond means that God is undeniable creator of the universe. Unfortunately, the whole idea is unsound; your argument is just as flawed as mine. God may be the architect of this here universe, I agree, but you have to ask yourself, ‘who created Him? Where did he come from?’” The woman furrowed her brow. “You and I are in exactly the same position – we don’t have any idea. The difference is, I don’t try and convince people that I do.”
The couple gathered their leaflets and moved in on the table behind us.
“No, I don’t,” said Pete, “and I don’t see how anyone can.”
“So how do you explain our existence?” she asked. “How did all of this get here?” She scanned the room pensively.
“Our existence comes from evolution,” he replied, “and this coffee shop is a product of a market economy.”
“Maybe you’re right, maybe we do stem from lesser beings,” the girl said, “but where did they come from?”
“Evolution didn’t start with chimpanzees. We can be traced back to single celled organisms,” Pete answered. “And I know where you’re going with this. You’ll ask: ‘so what created the original organisms?’ By default, my inability to confidently respond means that God is undeniable creator of the universe. Unfortunately, the whole idea is unsound; your argument is just as flawed as mine. God may be the architect of this here universe, I agree, but you have to ask yourself, ‘who created Him? Where did he come from?’” The woman furrowed her brow. “You and I are in exactly the same position – we don’t have any idea. The difference is, I don’t try and convince people that I do.”
The couple gathered their leaflets and moved in on the table behind us.