Thoughts of an Atheist - The Illusion of Independence
The atheist is not merely a person who disbelieves in God; according to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the atheist is one who actively constructs a worldview to support their desire for independence. By analyzing the "thoughts of an atheist," Śrīla Prabhupāda uncovers the psychological and philosophical barriers that prevent the conditioned soul from surrendering to the Supreme Lord.
The "Chance" Theory of Creation
The foundation of atheistic thought is that there is no intelligent design behind the universe. Atheists argue that the cosmic manifestation is a result of "chance" or the interaction of material elements. Śrīla Prabhupāda often cites their logic: just as a man and woman meet by chance and a child is produced, so the universe has appeared without a specific creator. This view, rooted in atheistic Sāṅkhya philosophy, posits that nature moves by the action and reaction of elements without any superior aim.
- Atheistic men think that the cosmic manifestation has come about by chance, by a combination of matter, without reference to God.
- Atheistic rascals think that there is no God and that the creation has taken place by chance, just as a man and woman meet by chance and the woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a child. Actually, however, this is not the fact.
- The creation does not arise whimsically, as atheistic men think. They say that this world is unreal, that there is no foundation and that there is no God in control. It is produced of sex desire and has no cause other than lust - Bhagavad-Gita 16.8.
- The atheistic philosopher, they think that this combination of prakrti and purusa is without any aim, without any idea.
"I Am the King"
Why do atheists deny God? Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it is a matter of ego. The difference between a God-conscious person and an atheist is the concept of proprietorship. The atheist thinks, "I am the king," "I am the leader," and "Everything belongs to me." To accept an Īśvara (Supreme Controller) would mean admitting they are not supreme, which their false ego refuses to do.
- God conscious and atheistic people, what is the difference? The difference is that atheistic person thinks "mine." "Everything mine. I am the lord of all I survey. I am the king. I am the leader. I am everything, and everything belongs to me."
- Only Lord Jagadisa is in control; everyone else is controlled. The atheists, however, do not like this term because they like to think that they are in control, but actually this is not the case.
- Atheists think that they are independent, and therefore they do not care about the supremacy of the Lord, yet the Lord asserts His supremacy when He overcomes them as death.
Spiritual Blindness
Because of this defiant attitude, the atheist possesses a distorted vision. When they see the Deity in the temple, they see only stone or wood ("idol worship"). When they see a spiritual master, they see an ordinary human. They cannot conceive that the Supreme Lord can manifest Himself through His energy.
- Although the atheist class of men may think that they are engaged in idol worship, it is not idol. Those who are atheist, they may see idol, stone. But those who are devotees, they see saksad brajendranandana hari.
- To think that the body of the spiritual master consists of material ingredients is offensive. Atheists think that devotees foolishly worship a stone statue as God and an ordinary man as the guru.
- The atheistic son thought, "It is not possible for Gopala to come and bear witness." Thinking thus, the father and son agreed.
Fear of the Afterlife
Perhaps the most poignant insight Śrīla Prabhupāda offers is the psychology of fear. Atheists often adhere to the Buddhist or materialist conclusion that "everything is finished at death." Why? Because if they admit there is a next life, they must admit there is punishment for their sinful acts. Śrīla Prabhupāda compares them to ostriches burying their heads in the ground to avoid danger.
- Atheists generally follow the Buddha philosophical conclusion that at death everything is finished. Hiranyakasipu, being an atheist, thought this way. Because Lord Visnu was not visible to him, he thought that the Lord was dead.
- Atheists shudder when they think that there is a next life, because their lives are sinful and they fear punishment in the next.
- The atheists want to forget these miseries (birth, old age, disease and death), and therefore they like to think that there is no life after death. They are like ostriches, who stick their head in the ground when an enemy approaches.
- These atheistic vultures want to see God dead so they can take pleasure in thinking - Now God is dead, and I can do anything I like.
Conclusion
The thoughts of an atheist are a fortress built to protect the false ego. However, this fortress is made of sand. As Śrīla Prabhupāda points out, despite their claims of independence, they are conquered by the Supreme Lord in the form of death. Real intelligence lies in breaking down this wall of false thought and accepting the reality of the Supreme Controller.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Thoughts of an Atheist. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.