The Editor, Sir:

The writer of your 'Letter of the Day' (September 24) disputes the existence of God with the claim that he is an "unrepentant atheist". I would like to raise four points in regard to his beliefs (or lack thereof):

For a person to make the claim that there is no God, he/she would have to (a) know all things (be omniscient) to be sure God doesn't exist (b) be everywhere (omnipresent) to be certain God is nowhere, and (c) be able to do all things (omnipotent) to argue that God is not necessary (if man CANNOT do all things, then one greater than man has to exist to accomplish what man cannot). If, therefore, the writer is all of the above, which are attributes of God, then he is in fact claiming to BE God, thereby countering his own claim that there is no God.

Making definition clear

The writer exhorts us to be "kind and considerate". What does 'kind and considerate' mean? When Adolph Hitler murdered six million Jews because he blamed them for Germany's economic plight, he was being 'kind and considerate' to his fellow Germans. The extortioner who murders people to gain money to feed the members of his community, is no doubt considered 'kind and considerate' by members of his community.

While the writer's explanation of Einstein's Theory of Relativity is overly simplistic, it is still enough for my third point. He writes "matter travelling at the speed of light is transformed into energy". Every time the Bible records a visitation from God, the writer refers to Him as "a cloud of fire", "pillar of fire", "excellent glory", "brightness of His glory" or some such term, suggesting an abundance of energy. The Apostle Paul described a light "above the brightness of the sun" (Acts 29:13, KJV) and said that God is a "consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:39, KJV). Therefore, the writer's own understanding of science points to the existence of a God who is surrounded constantly by light "as with a garment" (1 Timothy 6:16, Psalms 104:2, KJV).

Beyond comprehension

Finally, the writer confesses, "Our brain cannot even comprehend that"! I agree with him. However, he should not be surprised. The Prophet Isaiah said the same thing over 3,000 years ago: "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [God's] ways higher than your ways, and [God's] thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9, KJV).

Despite the writer's lack of belief, however, Jesus Christ still loves him and died to save him, along with all who believe.

I am, etc.,

CLAUDE B. MANNING

godsondis@yahoo.com