Moral Duty & Jeffrey Dahmer...If There Is No God, Who Are We Accountable To?

The Meta-Ethical Foundation For Morality
In his writings and debates, and to the disdain of many atheists, Dr. William Lane Craig has rightly, aptly and correctly stated the following:

"Are the values we hold dear and guide our lives by mere social conventions akin to driving on the left versus right side of the road or mere expressions of personal preference akin to having a taste for certain foods or not? Or are they valid independently of our apprehension of them, and if so, what is their foundation? Moreover, if morality is just a human convention, then why should we act morally, especially when it conflicts with self-interest? Or are we in some way held accountable for our moral decisions and actions?
Today I want to argue that if God exists, then the objectivity of moral values, moral duties, and moral accountability is secured, but that in the absence of God, that is, if God does not exist, then morality is just a human convention, that is to say, morality is wholly subjective and non-binding. We might act in precisely the same ways that we do in fact act, but in the absence of God, such actions would no longer count as good (or evil), since if God does not exist, objective moral values do not exist. Thus, we cannot truly be good without God. On the other hand, if we do believe that moral values and duties are objective, that provides moral grounds for believing in God." ~ Dr. William Lane Craig "The Indispensability of Theological Meta-Ethical Foundations for Morality"

In 1994, shortly before his own murder, NBC's Stone Phillips sat down with the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and his family (Mother & Father) to discuss and try to uncover the cause and details of Jeffrey's sick and sadistic criminal acts and murders that he perpetuated on individuals since he was approximately age 18. 

At the time of the crime, Jeffrey was a materialist, an atheist. What is interesting is that at the time of the interview, Dahmer himself alluded to the fact that his worldview was sufficient foundation for his actions. Here is some of what he said: 

"...I always believed the lie that evolution is truth..the theory of evolution is truth...that we all just came from the slime, and when we died, y'u-know, that was it. There's nothing. So The whole theory cheapens life"... 

Even though this interview has been available for awhile, (the full interview can be found HERE) the new atheism and their chief proponents simply shrug off the assertions as babble from a psychopathic mind. However, what Jeffrey spoke are valid sentiments railed heavily towards atheism. As William Lane Craig asks, if there is no God where is the moral duty for any kindness or non-self serving act or action? There is no moral duty and or obligation and there would be no one to be ultimately held accountable to. 

In my opinion, this leads to and only solidifies the "illusion" of materialistic thought. We only "imagine" that there is some type of accountability if there is no God. there is and will be no court of arbitration or ultimate penalty beyond this life of 100 years or less. the greatest good and the worst evil are both rewarded on face value with the same reward...death and oblivion....This is individual reductionist to the most high degree. In an ultimate sense, we mean nothing. 

Confession & Forgiveness

Isaiah 1:18 ~ Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

In light of what I said, many atheists criticize Christianity based on the future or promised condition of reward, and judgement for all individuals. Within Christianity, even the most vile can receive repentance and be saved. Even if they believe in no judgement at all, this type of sentiment really ticks off those who think Christianity suffers in standards of morality because it lacks a permanent judgement for the most vile.  Certainly Christianity does teach a permanent judgement and reward, however that judgement is based on the acceptance or denial of Christ and repentance. 

So it's like a catch 22 for the opposers. They don't want to be permanently judged, believe that there is no such thing as a permanent judgement for those who agree with their worldview, and can't seem to stand the fact that someone who has done wrong can actually be genuinely be sorry for the wrong they have done, repent, and receive the blessing of the fellowship with Christ. That makes no sense to them. At the same time, many of the same individuals demand, that "if there is a God" that they be forgiven for their unbelief, and even rewarded in some fashion. Wouldn't ya know it???

Though Jeffrey's sins were horrific, horrible and even according to him, inexcusable in every way and manner, and though he had to ultimately suffer here on earth for his past actions, like the thief on the cross, Jeffrey was able to make a clear and open confession of his faith in front of the whole world before his death in effort to repair some of what he had done. This is what he said:

"...I have since come to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, is the true creator of the heavens and the earth, and it didn't just happen. I have accepted him as my Lord and savior and I believe that I as well as everyone else will be accountable to him." 

Romans 10:10 ~ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

In his sins, Jeffrey, destroyed many unsuspecting lives, of that there is a certainty. However, it seems that Jeffrey also dethroned the condition of self and self will in his life and gave his life to Christ even doing so by openly confessing him to the world.

It is amazing that many individual didn't know of and had never seen this confession. I believe he was sincere and real in it. What I do know is that God can save ANYBODY from anything. We can only hope for millions more to come to many of the same or similar realizations of Dahmer, confess, repent and turn to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Blessed!   

What Atheists Don't Want You To Know: The Full Story Jeffrey Dahmer