Walking with an Atheist

~ by Titus Müller, born 1977 in Leipzig, Germany, and studied Literature and Medieval History in Berlin. He published his first novel at age 24. The sixth—The Mystery—was published this year. His books have won literary awards and together sold more than 250,000 copies. Titus Mueller is a Seventh-day Adventist Christian who lives in Germany. More information at the Author's Website (sorry, German only).

Recently, I was invited to a science fiction conference in Germany, the annual meeting of the readers of “Perry Rhodan,” one of the world’s most ubiquitous science fiction series. Materialistic science fiction portrays the future as technically and morally advanced (“Star Trek” is an example for this way of thinking), therefore depicting humanity as self-sufficient and in no need for God. On the other hand, the darker wing of science fiction asks the question: Can we trust our senses? In works like The Matrix, for example, the information we receive from our five senses is an illusion created by machines that have spun out of human control and are using humanity as an energy supply system. 

I was speaking to this audience of atheists on the topic the host had given me: “God in Science Fiction.” I had written a science fiction novel for the “Perry Rhodan” series—the first since 1963 in which someone prayed to God and believed in him. For this, a Christian publishing house awarded me with the C.S. Lewis Prize, including the opportunity to spend 40 days on the Isle of Wight. I had received hundreds of reader’s letters after that book was published. Half of them hated my novel; the other half loved it. Now the science fiction lovers wanted to know what my thoughts on God really were. 

After I gave my speech to the science fiction fans, some of them furiously attacked me, saying that the belief in God is nothing but weakness, originating from fear. A Roman Catholic priest who was in the audience tried to calm them down by saying things like: “God is not a separate being, he is in every one of us, he is what happens when we do an unselfish act.” I began to sweat.

After offering a silent prayer, I took a step forward and said: “I don’t know whether I am right in what I believe. Maybe I have to learn that what I believe is in fact wrong. Maybe I will come to different conclusions later in life. But right now, I firmly believe that God is not only in each one of us, but that he is a being of himself, an alien. You as science fiction readers will understand that thought. He is not from here, not from earth. I believe he listens when I think, feel, or talk to him. He is pure wisdom. He is smarter than all of humankind put together.”

This changed everything. My most aggressive critic talked to me afterwards: “I am the one who wrote the devastating review on your book. I didn’t know you are a seeker. I thought you think you already know everything. I didn’t know you are still open and on the way. Thank you for being sympathetic to everyone who seeks. I hadn’t thought that one can be a believer and a seeker.”

When I heard Samir speak in Germany last week I was reminded of this atheist brother who was seeking along with me. He would have liked to hear what Samir had to say. Christians who aren’t seekers anymore pretend to know all about God—which only makes God smaller and more distant. And at the same time, they turn away other seekers on the journey, forfeiting a chance to give and receive. I am glad to learn—from Samir and others—to keep going on my way to God in company with all who seek.

Comments

[Elisa]

religion/God/faith are all themes that are really explored in Battlestar Galactica - and it's done well, for a cable sci fi series.

[Ursula Weigert]

Hi Titus,

good to know that you are also a "Samirian" or Faith House enthusiast respectively.
I find your article very impressing. Praise the Lord for the courage he gave you to testify your personal experience with God in front of a mostly unbelieving audience, and for the wisdom with which he enabled you to treat an atheist person with respect, acceptance, and Christian love. Thank you for sharing this experience with us.

Best regards
Ursula Weigert (Mom of Katrin)