Most atheists are just bitter and despondent individuals who are against the world, themselves, and by extension God. This usually runs parallel to a desire to be seen as "sophisticated". Scripture, to a large degree, is expressed in metaphor and represents complex human interactions-situations that are, nevertheless, common experiences we've all had to navigate and will have to until we die.
Within any metaphor, such as being swallowed by a whale, there is room for doubt because it is, after all, an abstraction. This makes it easy for atheists to poke holes and invalidate, so long as they stay on a rudimentary and, if you will, literal level. They don't invalidate anything, but, by hearing themselves talk or parrot what they think are new-age, rational "arguments" provides edification to individuals who are insecure and look for and, ultimately, depend on some semblance of superiority. The smug arrogant neck bearded basement dweller comes to mind. A sort of Comic-book Guy from the Simpsons persona.
I also think there's a strong vein of resentment against God. Apropos of Jonah and the Whale, God has His way and that is that. There are rules and they can be exacting. Today's secular humanistic ideology is "do as thou wilt" and anything standing in your way of achieving this is what's evil, because, you're trying to live your life on your terms. This results in hostility to rules across the board, not just chewing bubble gum in school, but relinquishing your duty to your family. So, this is not trivial. Denying God and His ways have consequences and right now people are trying to live without consequences.
But all of this is in vain and the joke is ultimately on the atheist. They're not "sophisticated" they're just gluttons who want to use advanced forms of sophistry to justify things like their obesity or perverse sexual habits. And, speaking of the devil, both gluttony and lust are primary sins. Both of these are highly desired by leftists because they're sources of immediate gratification. Got to have that sugary rush.
God's way is never about instant satisfaction, rather, it's more like going on a diet, denying appetites, and enduring some hardship, but, being rewarded six months down the road with perfect health and a runner's high. No surprise which course is more popular, obviously, most people will choose the former over the latter. But then again, when Pilot asked the people, they voted to kill Jesus, so, this shouldn't be surprising.
Within any metaphor, such as being swallowed by a whale, there is room for doubt because it is, after all, an abstraction. This makes it easy for atheists to poke holes and invalidate, so long as they stay on a rudimentary and, if you will, literal level. They don't invalidate anything, but, by hearing themselves talk or parrot what they think are new-age, rational "arguments" provides edification to individuals who are insecure and look for and, ultimately, depend on some semblance of superiority. The smug arrogant neck bearded basement dweller comes to mind. A sort of Comic-book Guy from the Simpsons persona.
I also think there's a strong vein of resentment against God. Apropos of Jonah and the Whale, God has His way and that is that. There are rules and they can be exacting. Today's secular humanistic ideology is "do as thou wilt" and anything standing in your way of achieving this is what's evil, because, you're trying to live your life on your terms. This results in hostility to rules across the board, not just chewing bubble gum in school, but relinquishing your duty to your family. So, this is not trivial. Denying God and His ways have consequences and right now people are trying to live without consequences.
But all of this is in vain and the joke is ultimately on the atheist. They're not "sophisticated" they're just gluttons who want to use advanced forms of sophistry to justify things like their obesity or perverse sexual habits. And, speaking of the devil, both gluttony and lust are primary sins. Both of these are highly desired by leftists because they're sources of immediate gratification. Got to have that sugary rush.
God's way is never about instant satisfaction, rather, it's more like going on a diet, denying appetites, and enduring some hardship, but, being rewarded six months down the road with perfect health and a runner's high. No surprise which course is more popular, obviously, most people will choose the former over the latter. But then again, when Pilot asked the people, they voted to kill Jesus, so, this shouldn't be surprising.
