THE GREATEST PLAGIARISM IN HISTORY: How Atheism Denies the Creator but Borrows His Creation

 THE GREATEST PLAGIARISM IN HISTORY: How Atheism Denies the Creator but Borrows His Creation

By Joshua Thangaraj Gnanasekar

Founder Director, Academy of Christian Studies 

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Introduction: The Grand Theft Nobody Talks About

Imagine a world where artists are praised but the painter of the stars is forgotten. Scientists win awards for invention, but the Creator of the universe is denied. Writers sue over intellectual theft, yet the greatest Author of life is rejected.

This is not a story from fiction—it is the reality we live in.

Atheism, in its denial of God, commits what may be the greatest plagiarism in the history of mankind. It borrows logic, morality, purpose, and even meaning—concepts that only make sense if God exists—yet refuses to give Him credit.

This booklet explores the shocking hypocrisy of atheism, the desperate need for Christ to come and reclaim the truth, and how the gospel exposes and overcomes this intellectual rebellion.

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1. Atheism: A Worldview Built on Borrowed Ideas

Atheists often pride themselves on being rational, scientific, and free thinkers. Yet the very tools they use—logic, reason, and moral judgment—are impossible to justify in a universe without God.

If the universe is just a random accident, then how can we trust our minds to reason correctly? If morality is just a human invention, why fight for justice, equality, or truth?

As Cornelius Van Til once said, “Unbelievers borrow from the Christian worldview in order to attack it.”

Atheism lives on borrowed capital—using what only makes sense in God’s world, while denying God Himself.

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2. The Hypocrisy of Defending Intellectual Property Without Honoring the Divine Author

Today’s society fiercely protects intellectual property. If someone copies a book or a song without credit, they’re labeled a thief. But what about the universe? What about life, morality, and purpose?

John 1:3 says, “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.”

If God created all things, then denying His authorship is the highest form of plagiarism. Atheism wants the benefits of God’s world—beauty, meaning, dignity—but rejects the One who made them.

This is the height of hypocrisy: defending our own small creations while ignoring the Creator of everything.

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3. Living in God’s World While Pretending He Doesn’t Exist

Atheists wake up each day in a world of order, beauty, and meaning. They breathe air, enjoy relationships, and pursue truth. But how can these things exist in a random, godless universe?

Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.”

Atheism lives in God’s house, uses His resources, and then denies His existence.

This is like living in someone’s mansion, using their furniture, enjoying their food, but refusing to acknowledge the owner.

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4. The Moral Problem: Can Right and Wrong Exist Without God?

Atheists often talk about human rights, justice, and fairness. But where do these ideas come from if there is no God?

Without a higher Lawgiver, morality becomes just opinion. Yet we all know deep down that some things are truly wrong—murder, rape, lying—and others truly good—love, sacrifice, compassion.

C.S. Lewis wrote, “A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.”

That “straight line” is God’s law written on our hearts (Romans 2:15). Atheism cannot explain this. It wants morality without the moral God.

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5. Why Christ Had to Come: To Fight the Lie and Restore the Truth

When humanity rejected God in the Garden of Eden, they didn’t just disobey—they chose to believe a lie.

The devil, the father of lies, said: “You will not surely die… you will be like God” (Genesis 3:4-5). That lie has infected every human heart since. It’s the lie behind atheism: “There is no God; I am enough.”

Jesus came to destroy that lie.

1 John 3:8 says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

Christ is the Truth (John 14:6). He came to reclaim the world from falsehood, restore us to the truth of God, and defeat the deception that keeps people blind.

On the cross, Jesus exposed the futility of human pride and offered redemption to all who believe.

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6. The Greatest Love Story: God Didn’t Sue Us—He Saved Us

God, the rightful Creator and Author of life, could have punished humanity for rejecting Him. Instead, He sent His Son.

This is not just justice—it’s grace.

Though mankind plagiarized His creation, denied His authorship, and lived in rebellion, God chose to forgive.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

This is the gospel. Jesus came to:

• Rescue us from the lies of atheism

• Reconcile us to the Creator we rejected

• Restore us to truth, meaning, and eternal life

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7. The Final Invitation: Return to the True Author

Atheism is not just mistaken—it is tragic. It cuts us off from the very Source of life, truth, and joy.

If you’ve believed the lie that there is no God, there is hope. The Author of life is not distant—He is calling you home.

Acts 17:30-31 says, “God commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

The resurrection is God’s seal that Jesus is the true Author—and He invites you to believe, repent, and live.

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Final Words: Truth Cannot Be Denied Forever

No matter how loud the voices of denial become, truth stands. And the truth is this:

• God is the Creator.

• Atheism denies Him while depending on Him.

• Christ came to fight the deception and save mankind.

• The greatest plagiarism can be forgiven when we return to the Author.

Will you acknowledge the Author of life—or continue living in His story without giving Him credit?

The choice is yours.

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Recommended Reading & Resources

• Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis

• The Defense of the Faith – Cornelius Van Til

• Where the Conflict Really Lies – Alvin Plantinga

• Always Ready – Greg Bahnsen

• Romans: The Message of Grace – John Stott

Bibliography

Bahnsen, G. L. (1996). Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith. American Vision.

— A foundational work in presuppositional apologetics, highlighting how unbelievers borrow from Christian theism.

Craig, W. L. (2008). Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (3rd ed.). Crossway.

— A modern defense of Christian doctrine, including critiques of atheistic arguments.

Lewis, C. S. (1952). Mere Christianity. HarperOne.

— Classic defense of the moral argument for God, arguing that without God there is no objective morality.

Plantinga, A. (2011). Where the Conflict Really Lies: Science, Religion, and Naturalism. Oxford University Press.

— A rigorous critique of naturalism and its self-defeating foundations.

Stott, J. R. W. (1994). The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World. InterVarsity Press.

— Offers rich biblical commentary, particularly useful for understanding Paul’s defense of creation and sin.

Van Til, C. (1955). The Defense of the Faith. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing.

— A pioneering text in presuppositional apologetics, arguing that all knowledge depends on God’s revelation.

White, J. (2004). The God Who Justifies: The Doctrine of Justification. Bethany House Publishers.

— A robust theological exposition of justification through Christ, key to understanding God’s redemptive plan.

Zacharias, R. (2004). Can Man Live Without God? Thomas Nelson.

— Discusses the consequences of atheism and the necessity of a theistic worldview for human flourishing.