One example of such opposition was seen in a published interview of Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura. He said that organized religion was "a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers."

Critics will often dismiss religion in general and Christianity in particular (since it is the only true religion) as wishful thinking. It is argued that people need something to provide hope, meaning and purpose for their life, so they create a god. Religious people are feeble, requiring faith in some 'higher power' to survive in the real world.

What should we say in response to this pathetic attempt to discredit Christianity? First, let me point out that this criticism is not an argument. It does not prove or disprove the truth of Christianity. It is merely an analysis of the psychological make-up of religious people, which may or may not be true. Christians may be weak-minded but so what? Does that imply that Christ is not the truth, the way and the life? Absolutely not!

The only thing that this kind of censure implies is that the speaker intensely dislikes Christianity. But of course, disgust for something does not make it untrue. As a child, I did not like winter squash. Tragically, my abhorrence for it did not make it go away or disprove its existence!

Second, two can play at this psychology game. Atheism is a sham and a crutch for scared sinners who are running from God. They know God "since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them” (Rom. 1:19). Yet, because they are guilty and stand condemned before him, they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. They exchange the truth of God for a lie (e.g., atheism or agnosticism), and worship and serve created things (i.e., themselves) rather than the Creator--who is forever praised.

Third, it strains credulity to think that biblical Christianity is a fraudulent religion devised by men. What man could have and would have written the message of the Bible? What man would have exposed his depravity and wickedness and exalted God's glory, goodness, mercy, wrath, justice and love?

Finally, when someone raises this objection let us respond with a hearty “Amen!” Let us glory in our weakness that Christ might be exalted. It is true that we follow Christ because we are weak and needy. We are miserable, wicked sinners who desperately need a Savior.

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord’” (1 Cor. 1:27-31).
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Rev. D. Patrick Ramsey is pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church (OPC) in London, Ky.

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