A tragic and disturbing act of violence in Ottawa has once again forced us to confront a growing and dangerous trend: the rise of militant atheism and its role in enabling hate. A 71-year-old man, Joseph Rooke, has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon following the stabbing of an elderly Jewish woman at a grocery store known for its kosher selection.
What makes this case so alarming is not just the act itself, but the worldview behind it. Rooke, who publicly identified as both atheist and antisemitic, maintained a long trail of vitriolic social media posts attacking religious belief, particularly Judaism and Christianity. He was known for his obsessive legal challenges attempting to purge public life of any mention of God — including demanding the resignation of Supreme Court justices for swearing oaths that invoke the divine.
While many are quick to assume that such attacks are the work of religious extremists — often blaming Muslims or fringe Christian groups — this case underscores something different: Satan doesn’t always show up in robes or rituals. Sometimes, his favorite form is atheism.
A World Without God: Anything Goes
It’s crucial for Christians to understand that atheism is not morally neutral. When someone rejects God, they also reject the framework that upholds objective morality, accountability, and purpose. In a worldview without God, there is no heaven, no hell, no eternal justice — and therefore, no ultimate consequences.
This kind of thinking creates fertile ground for ideologies that justify violence, dehumanization, and destruction. When there is no divine authority, all that’s left is human reasoning, and history has shown us how easily that can be manipulated.
Communism, socialism, and militant secularism all thrive on this rejection of God. These movements prioritize collectivism over individual rights, ideology over morality, and the state over spiritual truth. The Christian idea of self-governance, where individuals are accountable to God first, runs directly counter to this.
Why Do Atheists and Extremists Align?
It may seem strange to some that atheists and Islamic extremists often appear to support similar political causes — especially when both groups despise one another ideologically. But they share one essential trait: rebellion against the God of the Bible.
This isn’t about politics or philosophy. It’s spiritual warfare.
Whether it’s extremist atheists demanding religion be wiped from public life, or radical Islamists seeking to impose a legalistic religious tyranny, the spirit driving both is the same: opposition to the liberty found in Christ.
In zombie movies, the terrifying thing is not the monster — it’s that the zombie doesn’t know he’s dead. He thinks he’s doing what’s right. Likewise, those consumed by hatred often believe they are fighting for justice, unaware that they are tools of destruction.
The Christian Call to Self-Governance and Truth
The Bible is a guide to individual responsibility, moral clarity, and submission to God’s will — not to the will of man. Christianity teaches that true freedom comes from within: by choosing to follow Christ, not by being forced to submit.
This is why Christian societies have historically fostered innovation, wealth, and liberty — because they prioritize the individual under God rather than the collective under the state.
Jewish communities, too, understand the power of group cohesion, innovation, and faith. Throughout history, they have endured persecution, often because they have prospered where others failed. That prosperity, especially in free societies, makes them targets of collectivist rage — whether from the far-left or the far-right.
It must be said: not all Jews are perfect, nor are all Christians, but this is precisely the point. We are fallen, and we need a Savior, not a system. Those who seek utopia on earth often become totalitarian in the process.
The Real Threat: Godlessness
Joseph Rooke’s public record shows a deep-seated hatred for all religion. He wasn’t simply “non-religious” — he was a zealot. He left his job to pursue court cases challenging religious oaths, attacked professors for their faith, and advocated for the removal of religion from government, courts, and society.
His Facebook posts repeatedly condemned Jews, accused them of controlling governments and media, and labeled Judaism a “cult.” His ideology wasn’t rooted in logic — it was spiritual rot disguised as intellectualism.
This should sound an alarm: when atheism becomes a religion of its own, fueled by bitterness and rebellion, it is no less dangerous than any extremist sect.
The Role of the West: Restraining Israel and God’s People
In the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks, many Christians watched in horror as Western governments began placing restrictions on Israel’s right to defend itself. This isn’t just geopolitics — it’s another example of Western secularism undermining Biblical justice.
It’s easy to judge Israel from a distance. But ask yourself: If your entire family was murdered and your nation threatened with annihilation, how would you respond? What would you pray? What would you ask of God?
It’s often pseudo-Christians and atheistic political elites who demand that Israel turn the other cheek — not out of love, but out of a desire to control and pacify.
What Atheism Can’t Provide
Atheists talk about “natural laws” — but without God, who defines them? One person’s moral compass is another’s tyranny. If there is no Creator, everything becomes subjective — and that’s exactly how people like Rooke justify hatred and violence.
Christianity, by contrast, provides a moral anchor. It teaches forgiveness, accountability, and grace, and reminds us that we are not God, nor are we free to make ourselves gods.
Final Word: Make Christ Your Lord and Savior
If you’re a Christian and you’ve ever wondered why atheists so often seem to align with radical forces, now you see: it’s not about logic or philosophy — it’s about spiritual rebellion.
We are living in an age where people not only reject God — they rage against Him.
Now is the time to choose whom you will serve.
If you haven’t yet, consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today. The world offers chaos, confusion, and temporary satisfaction. Christ offers truth, purpose, and eternal life.
NOTE: Always approach these issues with compassion and prayer, but never be naïve. Satan is real, and he can wear the mask of atheism, secularism, or even false religion. As believers, we must be alert, discerning, and rooted in the truth of Scripture.
