A Letter to the Atheist Who Opposes Religion

Dear Friend,

I want to begin by saying that I see you. I see your frustration, your anger, and your objections to religion—and I understand where they come from. You’ve likely encountered or studied instances where religion, instead of being a force for good, has caused harm, perpetuated injustice, or turned a blind eye to suffering. You’ve seen hypocrisy, pain, and power wielded in the name of God, and it’s left you disgusted. I can’t blame you for feeling that way.

If I may, I’d like to share some thoughts—not to debate or dismiss your perspective, but to invite a conversation. Consider this letter an olive branch, an attempt to engage not just your mind but also your heart, as a fellow human being who cares deeply about truth, justice, and the well-being of others.

On the Harm Done by Religion

You’re absolutely right: religion, including Christianity, has a history filled with dark chapters. The Crusades, the Inquisitions, and countless other abuses done in the name of faith were betrayals of the very teachings they claimed to uphold. Even today, there are churches and leaders who fail to reflect the humility, grace, and justice that Jesus embodied. This isn’t something I, as a Christian, can or should deny. It’s something I grieve deeply.

But here’s what I want you to know: these failures are not the essence of Christianity. They are deviations from it. At its heart, the Christian faith isn’t about wielding power or justifying harm—it’s about love, sacrifice, and restoration. Jesus Himself stood against the corrupt religious leaders of His time. He called out hypocrisy, defended the vulnerable, and embodied a radical love that overturned social and religious norms.

The wrongs done in the name of Christ aren’t a reflection of Him; they’re a reflection of humanity’s failure to live up to His example. If you’ve rejected Christianity because of those failures, I don’t blame you. But I hope you’ll consider looking at Jesus Himself, apart from the actions of His followers.

On the Problem of Suffering

The question of suffering—the innocent child starving, the natural disasters that destroy lives, the cruelty humans inflict on one another—is perhaps the hardest challenge to faith. If God is loving and powerful, why does He allow it?

I won’t pretend to have a simple answer, because there isn’t one. But here’s what I believe: Christianity doesn’t offer a quick fix to the problem of suffering—it offers a God who enters into it. In Jesus, God experienced betrayal, torture, and death. He didn’t stay distant or detached from human pain; He stepped into it fully. The cross is not an explanation for suffering, but it is a promise that suffering will not have the final word.

I know this might sound inadequate. And I get it—when faced with real pain, philosophical answers often feel hollow. But for me, the person of Jesus offers not just an explanation but a companion in suffering. He doesn’t promise a life free of pain, but He does promise a hope that transcends it.

On Your Anger Toward Religion

Anger is a valid response to injustice. If you’re angry at religion, it may be because you care deeply about truth, justice, and the well-being of others. That’s something we share. You care about the vulnerable being protected, the oppressed being liberated, and truth being upheld. Those are values that Jesus cared about too. In fact, much of His ministry was spent advocating for the marginalized and condemning those who abused power.

I don’t see your anger as a sign that you’ve rejected all that is good. Quite the opposite—it’s a sign that you long for a better world. And that’s a longing I believe God placed in all of us.

A Question to Consider

May I ask you a question? If the world is truly devoid of a higher power—if it’s just atoms and chance—why do we care so much about justice and morality? Why does suffering bother us so deeply? Evolution might explain survival instincts, but it doesn’t fully explain why we grieve for strangers, why we sacrifice for the weak, or why we cry out against injustice.

I’m not saying this as a “gotcha” argument. I’m genuinely curious about how you see these things. For me, these questions point to something beyond ourselves—a Creator who is just, loving, and who calls us to reflect those qualities. But I’d love to hear your thoughts.

An Invitation

I know you may never accept Christianity. I know you may see faith as a crutch or an excuse for harm. But I hope you’ll also see that, for many of us, faith is what compels us to fight for justice, to serve the hurting, and to love unconditionally. The failures of the church grieve us too, but they don’t define the God we follow.

If you ever want to have a conversation—not a debate, but a real, honest dialogue—I’m here. I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I’m willing to listen, to learn from your perspective, and to share my own.

Thank you for reading this. Even if we never agree, I respect your passion for truth and justice. I hope we can keep seeking those things together, even from different starting points.

Sincerely,
A Fellow Traveler on the Journey