One of the strongest arguments for Christianity and the existence of God is that atheists lack a purpose for their existence. This may seem like a topic for philosophical debate, but in practice, atheism often leads to disaster. Skeptics might say it’s just my opinion, but there is historical evidence supporting this view. The story of Liberal, Missouri, is a clear example.
On October 26, 1880, George H. Walser, an Illinois lawyer and self-described “freethinker,” filed a plan for a town in Missouri. The town would be divided into eight blocks, with 25 commercial lots, 57 residential lots, and a city park. Anyone wishing to join the “freethinker” town had to agree that no church, Christian, or believer in God could live there.
The story of Liberal, Missouri, along with the supporters and opponents of Walser’s town, was documented in a book by James Proctor Moore titled This Strange Town–Liberal, Missouri, with the subtitle “A History of the Early Years 1880 to 1910.” Sadly, the book is now out of print, but it describes what happened in Liberal. It clearly shows that without belief in God, there is no reason for anyone to be moral, and without morality, everything falls apart.
Today, Liberal, Missouri, still exists, with a population of 629 residents according to the 2020 census. However, it is no longer an atheist or “freethinker” town. As reported on churchfinder.com, it now has six churches.
Looking at what is happening in America today, we see a repeat of the events in Liberal. Over 40% of Americans, when asked about their religious beliefs, say “none.” As a result, America is turning into a nation without moral values. Will we learn from history, or will we repeat it?
— John N. Clayton © 2025
References: Wikipedia.org, churchfinder.com
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