Those calling themselves atheists should ask themselves how they would like to live in a world in which there had never been any Christianity whatever. Many persons avow atheism who behave decently, obey the laws of their lands, and are honest and loving. They maintain good credit and expect a credit system to work. They often live upright, moral lives. They acknowledge the general ethical standards which they have learned to follow in Christian communities, but they deny that such standards are evidence of the one God and His Christ, as Christianity teaches. To them, ethical standards are rules of conduct conceived and executed by human beings without reference to God and truth.
But if this is true, why have equally beneficial ethical standards developed so little in areas of the world which are not influenced by the teachings of Christ Jesus? And did such standards exist among pagan peoples of the Master's time, or do they exist in any time? Where other than in Christian communities is individual life so protected and treasured? These are questions which should be honestly answered by the atheist. Mary Baker Eddy says in her sermon "The People's Idea of God" (pp. 6, 7), "Periods and peoples are characterized by their highest or their lowest ideals, by their God and their devil."
It is true that individuals and nations calling themselves Christian have not always behaved according to the teachings of Jesus. Had they done so, where would not our world be in the line of progress out of warfare and crime and mortality? Only to the degree that genuine Christian fundamentals have been lived have security and prosperity been enjoyed in Christian countries and has the influence of those nations helped advance justice and mutual trust and stability in international relations.
