Atheists Fear God

It is reasonable to ask whether all human beings do indeed long for the existence of God.  For example, consider a serial murderer who took delight in the pain and trauma of his victims.  Would there not be excellent reasons for supposing that he might hope that God does not exist, given what might await him on the Day of Judgment?  And might not his atheism itself be a wish fulfillment?  The history of Western thought makes it clear that one fundamental motivation for atheism is the fear of accountability and retribution in the sight of God.

Alister McGrath, “Challenges from Atheism,” in the book “Beyond Opinion,” Ravi Zacharias, author and general editor, p.31