with atheism, “the game has changed”

Do yourself a favor and read Michael Spencer’s critique of the evangelical response to atheism. His argument: while the Christian Industrial Complex continues to devote itself to beating atheism on rigorous modernist grounds, atheism is making inroads with youth through postmodern-induced intellectual apathy and evangelical fakery. Atheism, he says, “is just easier.” He writes

We addressed atheism with the wrong arguments. We didn’t ask ourselves how it looks to a young atheist. We never stopped to notice that if you are a 17 year old with serious questions about evil, miracles, prayer and the Bible you’ve got small chances of getting any help from most of evangelicalism. We’re having too much fun squalling at the President and feeling good about ourselves . By the time you find that book, talk, ministry, etc. that might help, you’re already beginning to suspect that this is the emergency room where doubters are taken for emergency injections of how powerful anti-atheism drugs and then sent back to the “Bless Us Real Good” Game.

Even traditions with deep and serious reflection on the issues that erode faith often keep those resources tucked safely away in a closet on the fourth floor of the house of faith where you have to ask permission to see them. Senior Youth Group: Visit atheists for a conversation or play Goofy Golf? Duh.

Ouch. Read the whole thing.