Atheism is the persuasion that GOD does not exist.  Atheism is not a new development. David, King of Israel mentioned the doctrine three thousand years ago.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1a

Statistics seem to show an increasing number of people becoming atheists, with up to 15% of people worldwide declaring themselves adherents of atheism.  So, why are more and more people becoming atheists?  Is atheism truly the logical position atheists claim it to be? Why does atheism even exist?  Why doesn't GOD simply reveal Himself to people, proving that He exists?  Surely if GOD would just appear everyone would believe in Him. 

The problem with this notion is that GOD just chooses to not convince people that He exists.  It is GOD's desire for people to believe in Him by faith, repent, and accept his gift of salvation.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

GOD could appear and demonstrate once and for all that He exists.but He's already done that!  In fact He demonstrated His existence many times in the Old Testament (see Genesis chapters 6-9; Exodus 14:21-22; 1 Kings 18:19-31 for all the details).  Did the people involved in those days believe that GOD existed?  Yes they did!  Did they turn from their evil ways and obey GOD?  No way!  Were these people different than others that have lived over the centuries?  Absolutely not!

If someone is not willing to accept GOD's existence by faith. then they are definitely not ready to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior by faith.  Faith and belief are tied together.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

GOD's desire is for people to become Christians (believers in Jesus), not just theists (those who believe GOD exists).

However, the existence of GOD cannot be proven or disproved. The Bible even says that we must accept by faith the fact that GOD exists.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

If GOD so desired, He could simply appear again and prove to the whole world that He exists. But if He did that, there would be no need for faith.

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29

The fact that the existence of GOD must be accepted by faith does not mean belief in GOD is illogical.  There are many good arguments for the existence of GOD.  Just looking at the stars and understanding the vastness of the universe is an argument.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Psalm 19:1-4

...observing the wonders of nature is an argument.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  Romans 1:18-22

...even seeing the beauty of a sunset is an argument.

The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.  Psalm 74:16

...all of these things point to a Creator GOD.

If these were not enough, there is also evidence of GOD in our own hearts.  He has set eternity in the hearts of men.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, Ecclesiastes 3:11a

There is something deep down in our inner being that recognizes that there is something beyond this life and someone beyond this world. We can deny this knowledge intellectually, but GOD's presence in us and through us is still there anyway. Despite this, the Bible warns us that some will still deny GOD's existence,

Since almost all of the people throughout history, in all cultures, in all civilizations, on all continents believe in the existence of some kind of GOD - there must be something (or someone) causing this belief.  Must be a choice.

In addition to the Biblical arguments for GOD's existence, there are logical arguments. First, there is the ontological argument. The most popular form of the ontological argument basically uses the concept of GOD to prove GOD's existence. It begins with the definition of GOD as "that than which no greater can be conceived." It is then argued that to exist is greater than to not exist, and therefore the greatest conceivable being must exist. If GOD did not exist then GOD would not be the greatest conceivable being - but that would contradict GOD's very definition.  Whew!! Round and round we go!

A second is the teleological argument. The teleological argument is that since the universe displays such an amazing design, there must have been a Divine designer. For example, if earth were even a few hundred miles closer or further away from the sun, it would not be capable of supporting much of the life it currently does. If the elements in our atmosphere were even a few percentage points different, every living thing on earth would die. The odds of a single protein molecule forming by chance are about 1 in 10 243 (that is a 10 followed by 243 zeroes'). A single cell is comprised of millions of protein molecules.  A human is made up from trillions of cells all working together.  Complexity and order imply design.  Design implies a Designer.

Another logical argument for GOD's existence is called the cosmological argument. Every effect must have a cause.  Does the hurricane rage because a butterflly's wing created the first tiny wispy vortex of wind? This universe and everything in it is an effect. There must be something that caused everything to come into existence. Ultimately, there must be something "un-caused" in order to cause everything else to come into existence. That "un-caused" something is GOD.

A fourth argument is known as the moral argument.  Every culture throughout history has had some form of law.  Everyone has a sense of right and wrong.  Murder, lying, stealing, and immorality are almost universally rejected. Where did this sense of right and wrong come from if not from a holy GOD?

Despite all of this, the Bible tells us that people will reject the clear and undeniable knowledge of GOD and instead believe a lie.

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen Romans 1:25

The Bible also proclaims that people are without excuse for not believing in GOD.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Romans 1:20

Some claim to not believe in GOD because it is "not scientific" or "because there is no proof." The true reason is that once people admit that there is a GOD, they also must realize that they are responsible to GOD and in need of forgiveness from GOD.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

If GOD exists, then we are accountable for our actions to Him. If GOD does not exist, then we can do whatever we want without having to worry about GOD judging us. Evolution is probably so strongly embraced by many in our society because it gives an alternative to believing in a Creator GOD and subsequently dealing with Him somehow. GOD exists and ultimately everyone knows that He exists. The very fact that some attempt so aggressively to disprove His existence is in fact an argument for His existence.

How does anyone know GOD exists? A person can know GOD exists because he speaks to Him every day. While not audibly hearing Him speaking back, His presence, His leading, His love, and His grace are most evident. Things have occurred in everyone's life that leads to no other possible explanation other than GOD is there and He exists.  GOD so miraculously saves people and changes their lives that one cannot help but to acknowledge and praise His existence. None of these arguments in and of themselves can persuade anyone who refuses to acknowledge what is so plainly clear. In the end, GOD's existence must be accepted by faith. Faith in GOD is not a blind leap into the darkness, but is a safe step into a well-lit room where many are already standing.

Conversely, it takes just as much faith, or more to believe in atheism.  To make the absolute statement "GOD does not exist!" is to make a claim of knowing absolutely everything there is to know about everything.and of having been everywhere in the universe there is to go.and having witnessed everything there is to be seen.  You know, " I've been everywhere, seen everything, done everything!   Of course, no atheist would make these exact claims.  However, that is essentially what they are claiming when they state that GOD does not exist.  Atheists cannot prove that GOD does not, for example, live in the center of the sun, or beneath the clouds of Jupiter, or on the far side of the nearest quark somewhere.  This cannot be proven, so it cannot be proven that GOD does not exist.  It takes just as much faith to be an atheist as it does to be a theist. 

So, we find ourselves back at square one. 

Atheism cannot be proven and GOD's existence must be accepted by faith. 

GOD exists.  Belief in GOD's existence is based on faith.  Belief in GOD is logical. GOD's existence can be clearly seen, keenly sensed, and be proven philosophically and is scientifically necessary. 

Whether you are part of the Bride of Christ (the church) or you are part of the First Church of Atheism, know what GOD says to all of us.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  Psalm 46:10