The Virus of Faith

August 30, 2006

“For many people, part of growing up is killing off the virus of faith with a good strong dose of rational thinking. But if an individual doesn’t succeed in shaking it off, his mind is stuck in a permanent state of infancy, and there is a real danger that he will infect the next generation."  ─ Richard Dawkins

According to Richard Dawkins, Oxford professor, provocateur and evolution apologist, I’m infected by a virus called faith.  Until recently, I would have become angry upon hearing such an allegation – angry with the lies, the arrogance and, most of all, the person making the allegation. 

Yet that was not my response last night, after watching Dawkins’ UK Channel 4 television documentary, “The Root of All Evil,” from which the above-quote is taken.  Sure, the lies and the arrogance upset me.  But primarily I felt sorrow, deep sadness for the eternal darkness awaiting Dawkins and all who follow him – unless they turn and face the light. 

That I felt this way surprised me, but it was neither accidental nor easy.  For about six months, I have been working to cultivate a heart of mercy and grief for those who oppose the Lord.  I much better appreciate that they are caught in “the snare of the devil” (2 Timothy 2:26) and in need of mercy and rescue from the fire (Jude 22-23).  Accordingly, my primary job is not to win arguments with them, but to be gentle and merciful in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading them to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).

If you haven’t seen “The Root of All Evil,” I would recommend that you take the time.  Even if you learn nothing from Professor Dawkins, you just might learn something about yourself. 

First broadcast in January, the two-episode documentary is now available online:  Part 1, The God Delusion;  Part 2, The Virus of Faith.