Today I would like to respond to HJ McCloskey's article entitled "On Being Atheist". In his article, McCloskey gives many of his atheist views and critiques the theist position. As a theist myself, McCloskey's view alarmed me somewhat. I find it hard to believe that anyone could wholeheartedly deny the existence and love of God. I know atheists who have converted, who have said that deep in their hearts they knew their views were wrong. Could this be the case for McCloskey? Deep in his heart, does he know that his views are incorrect? In my response, I will address the key points and very specific areas of McCloskey's article. First, McCloskey asserts that the cosmological argument "does not authorize us to postulate an all-powerful, all-perfect, uncaused cause." I would argue that McCloskey denies the principle of sufficient reason and chooses to compete with it from a more naturalistic perspective. The cosmological argument is a unique argument among many others which does not prevent theists from postulating an uncaused, all-powerful and all-perfect cause. The cosmological argument according to Evans and Manis represents one who is able to learn more about God. This position is one of openness and not of skepticism like that of McCloskey. For example, consider the structure of a car. Cars are designed to transport people great distances and at a faster speed than they could achieve by walking. The basis of a car is called the monocoque. The floor, roof and sides are welded to the body frame. Then the doors, hood and trunk are built and assembled. Once the car is sent to an oversized oven, it is covered with a clear coat. Once the exterior is finished, they come...... middle of paper ... considering its meaning and purpose. The theist is motivated and has a reference source to flourish. I can only imagine the void the atheist fills when he is alone, when he has no friends and there are no books to read. What is going through his mind? At some point, God must be a thought, whether he believes in Him or not. I would encourage McCloskey to consider the Bible's position with an open and unbiased mind. I would advise him to read the Gospels, starting with John. I would encourage him to ask God to reveal and prove himself. ReferencesMcCloskey, HJ (1968). Be an atheist. Pages 62-68. Retrieved from http://knowitstrue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/McCloskeyArticle.pdfAuthor, AA (year published). Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith (Second Edition). Downers Grove, IL: Academic IVP.