When one characterizes God as hidden, it refers to the the unclear nature of God’s existence. Robert McKim tells a story about “The Hidden Emperor” that is analogous to the common traditions of theist Gods. That God is an omnipotent being who requires trust and obedience in exchange for protection in ordinary means and the afterlife. The lack of empirical evidence for God’s existence is explained by that God chooses to be hidden and reveal himself only indirectly. In McKim’s story, there is an old woman in the community that believes that the emperor’s hiddenness is best because the uncertainty provides people with the freedom to choose what they believe. This is a common justification in theism. Hiddenness poses a multitude of problems
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God’s hiddenness deprives God of the worship, believers, and trust that He commands. Throughout history, disagreements on religious beliefs and doctrines have caused many violent political conflicts that have resulted in death and suffering on both sides. Not to mention the religious motivations of past genocides and present terrorist group. Power hungry people find positions of authority within their religion and use it to harm people, often disobeying the religious doctrines they swore to uphold. Families are ripped apart because of disagreements. All this seems to suggest that God’s hiddenness does not benefit humanity, regardless of their personal belief (or lack thereof). A God that also “loves his children” must not be simultaneously hidden. Because God is hidden, He can’t also care about the beliefs of people, and so religious belief is not the best choice. The contradictory nature and social detriment caused by theism seems to suggest that unbelief is a better alternative. Atheists can believe the current scientific consensus of the universe without fear of eternal repercussions. They may not have the vibrant community that some religions might offer, but after critically considering the dysfunctions of these communities, one is likely better off without
God’s hiddenness deprives God of the worship, believers, and trust that He commands. Throughout history, disagreements on religious beliefs and doctrines have caused many violent political conflicts that have resulted in death and suffering on both sides. Not to mention the religious motivations of past genocides and present terrorist group. Power hungry people find positions of authority within their religion and use it to harm people, often disobeying the religious doctrines they swore to uphold. Families are ripped apart because of disagreements. All this seems to suggest that God’s hiddenness does not benefit humanity, regardless of their personal belief (or lack thereof). A God that also “loves his children” must not be simultaneously hidden. Because God is hidden, He can’t also care about the beliefs of people, and so religious belief is not the best choice. The contradictory nature and social detriment caused by theism seems to suggest that unbelief is a better alternative. Atheists can believe the current scientific consensus of the universe without fear of eternal repercussions. They may not have the vibrant community that some religions might offer, but after critically considering the dysfunctions of these communities, one is likely better off without