he conclusion that
the end justifies the means.

Theism is a hypothesis which, among other things, attempts an
explanation of the universe. The theist recognizes a creator who created
the universe and is responsible for its operation. The atheist clearly
perceives that the assumption of a creator does not advance him in the
slightest degree towards the solution of the mysterious problem of the
universe. The oft-repeated question still admits of no answer, "Who
created the creator"?

It is an absurd answer to reply that the creator created himself, yet,
even if this is granted, may not the universe have created itself? If
the theist puts forward the statement that God has always existed, the
atheist may well reply that if God has always existed, why can he not
say that the universe has always existed? The atheist is not concerned
with the creation of the universe; to him it presents a problem which is
beyond the comprehension of his present mental capacities. He
comprehends the fact of its being, and that is as far as he or any
rational mind can go. Atheism confines itself to a refutation of theism,
and avoids the theistic fallacy of assuming without any proofs or
reasonable arguments to substantiate the assumption of an intelligent,
omnipotent, omniscient, anthropomorphic, and anthropocentric creator.
The theistic assumption has but retarded the advance of practical
knowledge, and prepared the soil for superstition and the countless
terrors of religious beliefs.

Atheism, as far as a rational explanation of the universe is covered,
although it does not offer an explanation of the "ultimate," or "the
riddle of the universe," does insist that any view held be one that
shall be based on truth and conformity to reality. It further maintains
that if a view be propagated it should be held in the same position that
any scientific proposition is held. It must be open to verification; if
it be verified as any scientific theory is verified, it will be accepted
in part, or in toto, and be proven to be true or displaced by a closer
approximation to the truth. To certain types of men there may be a
negative attitude expressed in this credo, which leaves the mind
unsatisfied. This is but an emotional bias and has nothing to do
whatsoever with the attainment of truth. A delusion may be more
comforting than the truth, but that does not necessitate the conclusion
that a delusion may be of more ultimate benefit than a constant strivin