How Do Annihilationists Promote Atheism?

Click here to examine a biblical defense of Hell

In the book Annihilationism Debunked, I repeatedly discussed why many professing atheists would prefer the annihilationist perspective on Hell rather than what God's Word explicitly affirms (eternal conscious torment). Examine the following excerpts:

According to annihilationism, what takes place before death is actually worse than Hell itself because the former [pre-death] requires consciousness, while the latter [post-death] involves unconsciousness.1 Excluding the noun Hell, professing atheists would agree. (p. 22, added emphasis).

"Punishment" or kolasin in Matthew 25:46 refers to "torture," with the "implication of resulting severe suffering." Translating this verse to mean that the cursed ones will one day sleep or remain unconscious in the afterlife is not punishment; on the contrary, it's what every professing atheist and God hater thinks will take place at death. (pp. 26-27, added emphasis).

Asserting that Christ only saved some from soul sleep, redeemed some from unconsciousness in Hell, or delivered some from being annihilated (cessation of being) is equivalent to diminishing the eternal value of Christ's death. It also diminishes the power of God in the gospel because the annihilationist view of Hell presents what every professing atheist thinks will happen in the afterlife (unconsciousness or non-existence). (p. 43, added emphasis).

If cultists and false teachers think the afterlife entails a loss of existence or unconsciousness, then logically, professing atheists would prefer their definition of death instead of facing the biblical judgment of Christ (ECT). Interestingly, in Scripture, the wicked would rather die or forever cease than face the wrath of God (cf. Revelation 6:16; 9:5-6). (pp. 43-44, added emphasis).

Bible-believing Christians affirm the One True God, but professing atheists do not. Therefore, if one's view of death and the afterlife closely parallel what professing atheists affirm, it's clear one's convictions are godless. As an example, not long ago, a brainwashed annihilationist follower named Anthony "Alex" A. Davis II (Texas) sent me a message about his imbecilic view of Hell and referred to torment as "cessation of existence" (added emphasis).

Interestingly, Anthony's view above on the "cessation of existence" is also what professing atheists believe. As proof, the Atlantic published a piece called, What Do Atheists Think Of Death? Concerning death, professing atheists noted:

"I think that when I die I'll cease to exist..." (added emphasis).

"I'm still glad, in principle, that some day life will cease..." (added emphasis)

"I have always felt that when I die, I am dead and gone, my conscious life will end..." (added emphasis).

"...I, myself, cease to exist" (added emphasis).

In summary, many professing atheists think they will one day "cease to exist," and Anthony would agree because he referred to torment as "cessation of existence." Anthony and professing atheists affirm a "cessation of existence" because they do not know the One True God, which explains why their beliefs are godless.

[1] Many annihilationists will complain that using the word "unconsciousness" is misrepresenting their position. However, these heretics believe in a cessation of being or soul extinction in the afterlife. Therefore, unless they are willing to go on record and say their view of annihilationism does entail conscious suffering for an unending duration, the word "unconsciousness" will suffice for their distorted view of the afterlife.