Atheism is a Rebellion Against God, Not an Honest Inquiry

By Ajit Krishna Dasa

Atheism does not arise from superior intelligence or deeper understanding of reality. Rather, it is a rebellion against the Supreme Lord. The conditioned soul, bewildered by material illusion, refuses to submit to the authority of Krishna and instead manufactures various philosophies to deny Him. Srila Prabhupada repeatedly emphasized that atheism is not based on logic or evidence but on the desire to be free from divine authority.

As Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gītā:

“Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons, do not surrender unto Me.” (Bhagavad-gītā 7.15)

The so-called intellectual arguments of the atheist are merely a facade. Deep down, his rejection of God is emotional, stemming from pride, envy, and the desire to be independent. The atheist does not want to surrender, so he fabricates justifications to support his illusion.

The Root Cause: Envy of the Supreme Lord

Srila Prabhupada explained that atheism stems from envy of Krishna. The living entity, being part and parcel of Krishna, naturally has a loving relationship with Him. But when he desires to be independent, he turns away from Krishna and enters the material world. Atheism is simply the external expression of this inner rebellion.

In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Prahlāda Mahārāja describes the demoniac mentality:

“Prahlāda Mahārāja replied: Because of their uncontrolled senses, persons too addicted to materialistic life make progress toward hellish conditions and repeatedly chew that which has already been chewed. Their inclinations toward Kṛṣṇa are never aroused, either by the instructions of others, by their own efforts, or by a combination of both.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.5.30)

Thus, atheism is not an intellectual position—it is a symptom of a diseased heart. The atheist is not searching for truth; he is running away from it.

Exposing the Atheist’s False Logic

The atheist claims that there is no God because he cannot see Him. But Srila Prabhupada refuted this childish argument by explaining that atheists proudly declare themselves rationalists, yet they refuse to apply the same reasoning to their own existence. Can they see their own intelligence? Can they see consciousness? No—yet they accept these things based on their effects. Why then do they demand to see Krishna before accepting Him? The inability to perceive something directly does not mean it does not exist; rather, it requires the proper method of realization.

This principle is further elaborated by Srila Prabhupada, who points out that one cannot expect to see God simply by their own whimsical method. Just as an ordinary person cannot see a great leader without the proper qualifications and procedures, one must also approach God through the process He Himself has given.

“Why then do people say, “I have not seen God”? Why don’t they see God as God directs them to see Him? Why do they manufacture their own way? One cannot see God by one’s own way. That is not possible. If one tries to do so, one will always remain blind. At the present moment so-called philosophers and scientists are trying to see God in their own way, but that is not possible. One has to see God by God’s way. Then one can see Him. If I want to see the President of the United States, can I see him in my own way? If not, then how can I expect to see God in my own way? Is it not rascaldom? (Teachings of Queen Kunti, Chapter 22)”

The Real Solution: Surrender to Krishna

Atheism is a disease, and the cure is surrender to Krishna. Instead of rebelling against the Supreme Lord, one should humbly accept His supremacy and engage in devotional service. Only then can one attain true knowledge and liberation from illusion.

As Krishna declares:

“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Bhagavad-gītā 7.19)

Thus, we see that atheism is not an intellectual triumph but a spiritual failure. The true scholar, the truly wise person, understands that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and surrenders unto Him. The atheist, blinded by illusion, rejects this truth and remains bound in material suffering.