Recently, an X user tweeted a quote from the famous founder of the American Atheists, Madalyn Murray O’Hair:  

An atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An atheist believes that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. 

It was foolish when she said it, and as many pointed out, still is since Christians actually invented the hospital. We can also thank Christians for abolishing slavery, safeguarding and expanding education, and for countless contributions in physics, mathematics, and literature. Some even did it while also writing hymns. 

Studies show that atheists are actually less likely to be civically engaged than their religious counterparts. Christianity is a faith of action. After all, we believe that God created people to care for this world, and that in Jesus we are restored. Christians don’t choose between deeds and prayers. We do both.