Alma 30

(April 8, 2014)
One thing that surprises me about this chapter (and is yet another evidence of the truth) is that it so accurately portrays the atheist.  Did Joseph Smith have extended experience with atheism in his youth?  We read all the time how he was exposed to various religious traditions, but never that he was exposed to atheistic traditions (if such exist). And yet, in this one chapter we have a flawless presentation of the thinking, arguments, and actions of an evangelical atheist.

Of course, that leads to one other issue.  If Korihor knew that he was lying, how many other evangelical atheists know that they are lying?  You always want to presume that the person who is speaking is telling the truth, but you don’t always know.  And, as my life has taught me, even when you are trying to tell the truth you don’t always know your own mind.  But I think there is something to be said about the idea that atheism is (at least among the evangelical supporters) not widely held.  A true-believing atheist is liable to keep quiet about it – there is no reason for him or her to proselytize.  But an evangelical atheist is less advocating a position then they are fighting against God.