Difference between revisions of "Atheism"
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Teen Challenge has a number of studies that indicate the high effectiveness of their drug treatment program compared to other programs.<ref>http://www.acadc.org/page/page/2495014.htm</ref> Studies indicate that consumers of secular counseling [[psychology]] programs show hardly any benefit at all for [[alcoholism]] (see also: [[Ineffectivness of counseling psychology|Ineffectiveness of secular counseling psychology]]).<ref>[http://www.spring.org.uk/2005/07/psychological-treatments-for-alcoholism.php]</ref><ref>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/5/75/abstract</ref> The [[Apostle Paul]] in a letter to the church of [[Corinth]] indicated that [[Christianity|Christians]] were able to overcome being drunkards through the power of [[Jesus Christ]] (I Corinthians 6:9-11). The website ''The Berean Call'' has a number of articles on various false claims and unbiblical notions that many practioners of counseling psychology promote.<ref>http://www.thebereancall.org/topic/psychology</ref> | Teen Challenge has a number of studies that indicate the high effectiveness of their drug treatment program compared to other programs.<ref>http://www.acadc.org/page/page/2495014.htm</ref> Studies indicate that consumers of secular counseling [[psychology]] programs show hardly any benefit at all for [[alcoholism]] (see also: [[Ineffectivness of counseling psychology|Ineffectiveness of secular counseling psychology]]).<ref>[http://www.spring.org.uk/2005/07/psychological-treatments-for-alcoholism.php]</ref><ref>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/5/75/abstract</ref> The [[Apostle Paul]] in a letter to the church of [[Corinth]] indicated that [[Christianity|Christians]] were able to overcome being drunkards through the power of [[Jesus Christ]] (I Corinthians 6:9-11). The website ''The Berean Call'' has a number of articles on various false claims and unbiblical notions that many practioners of counseling psychology promote.<ref>http://www.thebereancall.org/topic/psychology</ref> | ||
− | Currently, there is an ongoing debate on whether [[Friedrich Nietzsche]]'s insanity was caused purely through disease or whether his atheistic/[[nihilism|nihilistic]] philosophical outlook on life was the cause.<ref> | + | Currently, there is an ongoing debate on whether [[Friedrich Nietzsche]]'s insanity was caused purely through disease or whether his atheistic/[[nihilism|nihilistic]] philosophical outlook on life was the cause.<ref>Multiple references: |
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17881977] | *[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17881977] | ||
*[http://www.ukapologetics.net/truthaboutnietzsche.html] | *[http://www.ukapologetics.net/truthaboutnietzsche.html] |
Revision as of 03:27, July 24, 2014
Atheism, as defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and other philosophy reference works, is the denial of the existence of God.[1]
As far as individuals adopting an atheistic worldview, atheism has a number of causal factors which will be addressed shortly. In addition, an examination of atheism will be offered and some of the historical events relating to atheism will also be covered. For example, since World War II a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the theory of evolution which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists or agnostics.[2]
Contents
- 1 Types of atheism
- 2 Biblical statements concerning atheism
- 3 Atheists have a low retention rate compared to other worldviews
- 4 Atheism has an inverse relationship to education
- 5 Atheism and intelligence
- 6 Claims about the conditionality of atheism and doubts that atheists exist
- 7 Atheism and communism
- 8 Criticism of atheism
- 9 Atheism and mental and physical health
- 10 Sports performance: Religious faith vs. atheism
- 11 Atheism is a religion
- 12 Atheism and women
- 13 Atheism and marriageability
- 14 Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks
- 15 Decline of atheism in terms of the global population
- 16 Western atheism and race
- 17 Atheism and deception
- 18 Irreligion and superstition
- 19 Intellectuals increasingly rejecting atheistic ideology
- 20 Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism
- 21 Liberal media - apostles of atheism
- 22 Causes of atheism
- 23 Atheism and the foundation of modern science
- 24 Atheism and debate
- 25 Notable atheists who became ex-atheists
- 26 Views on atheists
- 27 New Atheism
- 28 Atheism in academia
- 29 American Atheists
- 30 French Revolution and atheism
- 31 Atheism and homosexuality
- 32 Atheist population as a percentage of various countries' populations
- 33 Other well known proponents of atheism
- 34 Atheism quotes
- 35 Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian
- 36 See also
- 37 Online videos concerning atheism and related topics
- 38 External links
- 39 Recommended reading
- 40 Notes
Types of atheism
See also: Schools of atheist thought and Atheist factions
There are different types of atheism, based on different answers to the following questions:
- What God or gods does the atheist deny?
- Why does the atheist deny?
- How does the atheist's denial manifest itself?
Atheism and Which God or gods?
Since atheism is denial of the existence of God or gods, it is important first to identify in which God and/or gods the atheist denies. In ancient times, for example, Christians were accused of being atheists because of their denial of the pagan gods, even though they believed in the Christian God.[3] Socrates was also accused of atheism, although references to God run throughout his recorded statements.[4] Also, Albert Einstein and Baruch Spinoza professed belief in "God," but they defined "God" as the cosmos as a whole, and without personality.
Atheism and why do atheists state they disbelieve?
Atheists claim there are two main reasons for their denial of the existence of God and/or disbelief in God: the conviction that there is positive evidence or argument that God does not exist (Strong atheism which is also sometimes called positive atheism), and their claim that theists bear the burden of proof to show that God exists, that they have failed to do so, and that belief is therefore unwarranted (Weak atheism). For more information, please see: Causes of atheism.
Some common manifestations of atheism
Below are three common ways that atheism manifests itself:
- Militant atheism which continues to suppress and oppress religious believers today (see also: Atheism and communism).
- Philosophical atheism - Atheist philosophers assert that God does not exist. (See also: Naturalism)
- Practical atheism: atheism of the life - that is, living as though God does not exist.[5]
Atheist factions
See also: Atheist factions and Schools of atheist thought and Atheist cults
Jacques Rousseau wrote in the Daily Maverick: "Elevatorgate..has resulted in three weeks of infighting in the secular community. Some might observe that we indulge in these squabbles fairly frequently."[6] An ex-atheist wrote: "As an Atheist for 40 years, I noticed that there is not just a wide variety of Atheist positions, but there exists an actual battle between certain Atheist factions."[7] See also: Atheist cults
Testimony of Blair Scott about atheist infighting
Blair Scott served on the American Atheists board of directors.[8] Mr. Scott formerly served as a State Director for the American Atheists organization in the state of Alabama. On December 1, 2012 he quit his post as a director of outreach for the American Atheists due to infighting within the American atheist movement.[9]
Mr. Blair wrote:
“ | I have spent the last week mulling over what I want to do at this point in the movement. I’m tired of the in-fighting: at every level. I am especially tired of allowing myself to get sucked into it and engaging in the very behavior that is irritating...me.[9] | ” |
Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism
See :Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism
Biblical statements concerning atheism
see also: Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian
The writers of the Bible considered the existence of God to be self-evident and Moses simply wrote: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1).[10]
Accordingly, the psalmist David declared:
"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." — Psalms 14:1 (KJV)
The psalmist David also wrote "The heavens declare the glory of God..." — Psalms 19:1
In his letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul declared:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." — Romans 1:19-20 (NKJV)
Atheists have a low retention rate compared to other worldviews
See also: Atheism has a lower retention rate compared to other worldviews and Desecularization
In 2012, a Georgetown University study was published indicating that only about 30 percent of those who grow up in an atheist household remain atheists as adults.[11] Similarly, according to recent research by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, in the United States, a majority of those surveyed who were raised in atheist or agnostic households, or where there was no specific religious attachment, later chose to join a religious faith.[12] A 2012 study by the General Social Survey of the social science research organization NORC at the University of Chicago found that belief in God rises with age, even in atheistic nations[13] (see also: Atheism and immaturity).
In addition, in atheistic Communist China, Christianity is experiencing explosive growth.[14] On July 3, 2005, the New York Times reported concerning many countries in the former Soviet Union: "A return to religion in Romania and the region's other formerly Communist countries has in many places outrun the speed at which the church can screen and train clergy..."[15] See also: Desecularization
Atheism has an inverse relationship to education
See also: Atheism and education and Atheism and intelligence
Atheism is inversely proportional to education; a scholarly study published in an academic journal titled the Review of Religious Research demonstrated that increased education is correlated with belief in God and that "education positively affects religious participation, devotional activities, and emphasizing the importance of religion in daily life."[16] See also: Atheism and intelligence
Atheism and intelligence
See also: Atheism and intelligence and Causes of atheism
Citing data from the General Social Survey (GSS), Vox Day writes about atheist intelligence quotient (IQ) scores: "..the two most common types of atheists are the High Church atheists with +2SD IQs (128+) and Low Church atheists with -2SD IQs (65-72). Note that the Low Church atheists actually outnumber the High Church atheists, 22.9 to 17.2 percent."[17] For more information please see: Atheism and intelligence
Claims about the conditionality of atheism and doubts that atheists exist
Conditionality or non-conditionality of atheism
See also: There are no atheists in foxholes
Hannah More wrote: "[T]he mind, which knows not where to fly, flies to God. In agony, nature is no Atheist. The soul is drawn to God by a sort of natural impulse; not always, perhaps by an emotion of piety; but from a feeling conviction, that every other refuge is 'a refuge of lies'."[19] Reverend William T. Cummings is famous for declaring "There are no atheists in foxholes."[20] Chaplain F. W. Lawson of the 302d Machine Gun Battalion, who was wounded twice in wartime, stated "I doubt if there is such a thing as an atheist. At least there isn't in a front line trench."[21]On the other hand, the news organization NBC featured a story in which atheist veterans claimed that there are atheists in foxholes.[22]
Denials that atheists exist
See also: Denials that atheists exist
It has been asserted by various theists that atheists do not exist and that atheists are actively suppressing their belief and knowledge of God and enigmatically engage in self-deception and in the deception of others (see: Denials that atheists exist and Atheism and deception).
Atheism and communism
see also: Atheism and communism and Militant atheism and Atheism and economics and Atheism and mass murder and Atheist cults and Atheism and Karl Marx
Karl Marx said "[Religion] is the opium of the people". Marx also stated: "Communism begins from the outset (Owen) with atheism; but atheism is at first far from being communism; indeed, that atheism is still mostly an abstraction.[23]
Vladimir Lenin similarly wrote regarding atheism and communism: "A Marxist must be a materialist, i. e., an enemy of religion, but a dialectical materialist, i. e., one who treats the struggle against religion not in an abstract way, not on the basis of remote, purely theoretical, never varying preaching, but in a concrete way, on the basis of the class struggle which is going on in practice and is educating the masses more and better than anything else could."[24]
According to the University of Cambridge, historically, the "most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power."[25] Vitalij Lazarʹevič Ginzburg, a Soviet physicist, wrote that the "Bolshevik communists were not merely atheists but, according to Lenin's terminology, militant atheists."[26] However, prior to this, the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution established an atheist state, with the official ideology being the Cult of Reason; during this time thousands of believers were suppressed and executed by the guillotine.[27]
The atheism in communist regimes has been and continues to be militant atheism and various acts of repression including the razing of thousands of religious buildings and the killing, imprisoning, and oppression of religious leaders and believers.[28]
The persecution of Christians in the Soviet Union was the result of the violently atheist Soviet government. In the first five years after the October Revolution, 28 bishops and 1,200 priests were murdered, many on the orders of Leon Trotsky. When Joseph Stalin came to power in 1927, he ordered his secret police, under Genrikh Yagoda to intensify persecution of Christians. In the next few years, 50,000 clergy were murdered, many were tortured, including crucifixion. "Russia turned red with the blood of martyrs", said Father Gleb Yakunin of the Russian Orthodox Church.[29] According to Orthodox Church sources, as many as fifty million Orthodox believers may have died in the twentieth century, mainly from persecution by Communists.[30]
In addition, in the atheistic and communist Soviet Union, 44 anti-religious museums were opened and the largest was the 'The Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism' in Leningrad’s Kazan cathedral.[31] Despite intense effort by the atheistic leaders of the Soviet Union, their efforts were not effective in converting the masses to atheism.[32]
China is a communist country. In 1999, the publication Christian Century reported that "China has persecuted religious believers by means of harassment, prolonged detention, and incarceration in prison or 'reform-through-labor' camps and police closure of places of worship." In 2003, owners of Bibles in China were sent to prison camps and 125 Chinese churches were closed.[34] China continues to practice religious oppression today.[35]
According to Asian Economic News, in 2004 the atheistic and communist government of China had an internal document which directed the Chinese media to promote atheism, instructed internet media to remove user comments that advocate alternative spiritual views, and called for a ban on publications that disseminate religious material out of step with Marxism or atheism.[36] The efforts of China's atheist leaders in promoting atheism, however, is increasingly losing its effectiveness and the number of Christians in China is explosively growing.[14] China's state sponsored atheism and atheistic indoctrination has been a failure and a 2007 religious survey in China indicated that only 15% of Chinese identified themselves as atheists.[37]
North Korea is a repressive communist state and is officially atheistic.[38] The North Korean government practices brutal repression and atrocities against North Korean Christians.[39]
It has been estimated that in less than the past 100 years, governments under the banner of communism have caused the death of somewhere between 40,472,000 to 259,432,000 human lives.[40] Dr. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, is the scholar who first coined the term democide (death by government). Dr. R. J. Rummel's mid estimate regarding the loss of life due to communism is that communism caused the death of approximately 110,286,000 people between 1917 and 1987.[41] Richard Dawkins has attempted to engage in historical revisionism concerning atheist atrocities and Dawkins was shown to be in gross error.
Atheism, politics and related matters:
Criticism of atheism
See also: Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian and Christian apologetics and Decline of atheism
Commonly Cited Arguments Against Atheism and For Theism
In relation to the debate between theism and atheism, theists often criticize atheism as being contrary to persuasive argument and have a number of arguments against atheism. Arguments for the existence of God include:
- Teleological argument: The universe exhibits overwhelming evidence of deliberate, intelligent, purposeful design, which implies an intelligent designer. See also: Evolution as a secular origins myth
- Cosmological argument: Every event in our universe necessarily has a cause. However, it is impossible that there should be an unending chain of causes going back. Therefore, there necessarily must be a cause distinct from the universe as we know it which is capable of causing all things and is itself uncaused. Atheism denies that that first cause is God. The scientific evidence demonstrates that the universe is not eternal and Christians point out that the question "Who created God" is an illogical question.
- Atheism and the Problem of Evil (see also: Atheism and hell and Pascal's wager)
- Ontological argument: According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, "Ontological arguments are arguments, for the conclusion that God exists, from premises which are supposed to derive from some source other than observation of the world — e.g., from reason alone."[42]
- Historical arguments for the existence of God. For example, arguments stemming from historical accounts such as Christian historical apologetics, Christian legal apologetics and archaeological evidence such as Bible archaeology;
- Experiential arguments for the existence of God: Arguments based on personal experience and human intuition. According to philosopher Alvin Plantinga belief in the existence of God exists is a "properly basic" belief and not based on inference from other beliefs but is rationally justified due to one's circumstances of immediate experience of God.[43]
- Lack of proof and evidence that atheism is true contrasted with the strong evidence supporting Christianity. A popular YouTube Christian channel has flustered the internet atheist community by asking atheists what proof and evidence they have that atheism is true.[45] Atheism requires blind faith. Atheism is a faith based religion and it is a worldview which has no evidential support.[46]
Atheism and mass murder
- See articles: Atheism and Mass Murder and Atheism and communism and Atheism and sadism and Atheism and forced labor
Christian apologist Gregory Koukl wrote relative to atheism and mass murder that "the assertion is that religion has caused most of the killing and bloodshed in the world. There are people who make accusations and assertions that are empirically false. This is one of them."[47] Koukl details the number of people killed in various events involving theism and compares them to the much higher tens of millions of people killed under regimes which advocated atheism.[47] As noted earlier, Richard Dawkins has attempted to engage in historical revisionism concerning atheist atrocities and Dawkins was shown to be in gross error.
Koukl summarized by stating:
“ | It is true that it's possible that religion can produce evil, and generally when we look closer at the detail it produces evil because the individual people are actually living in a rejection of the tenets of Christianity and a rejection of the God that they are supposed to be following. So it can produce it, but the historical fact is that outright rejection of God and institutionalizing of atheism actually does produce evil on incredible levels. We're talking about tens of millions of people as a result of the rejection of God.[47] | ” |
Nobel Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was asked to account for the great tragedies that occurred under the brutal communist regime he and fellow citizens suffered under.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote:
“ | Over a half century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of old people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened.
Since then I have spend well-nigh 50 years working on the history of our revolution; in the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by that upheaval. But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some 60 million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened."[48] |
” |
In 2008, Vox Day notes concerning atheism and mass murder:
“ | Apparently it was just an amazing coincidence that every Communist of historical note publicly declared his atheism … .there have been twenty-eight countries in world history that can be confirmed to have been ruled by regimes with avowed atheists at the helm … These twenty-eight historical regimes have been ruled by eighty-nine atheists, of whom more than half have engaged in democidal acts of the sort committed by Stalin and Mao …
The total body count for the ninety years between 1917 and 2007 is approximately 148 million dead at the bloody hands of fifty-two atheists, three times more than all the human beings killed by war, civil war, and individual crime in the entire twentieth century combined. The historical record of collective atheism is thus 182,716 times worse on an annual basis than Christianity’s worst and most infamous misdeed, the Spanish Inquisition. It is not only Stalin and Mao who were so murderously inclined, they were merely the worst of the whole Hell-bound lot. For every Pol Pot whose infamous name is still spoken with horror today, there was a Mengistu, a Bierut, and a Choibalsan, godless men whose names are now forgotten everywhere but in the lands they once ruled with a red hand. Is a 58 percent chance that an atheist leader will murder a noticeable percentage of the population over which he rules sufficient evidence that atheism does, in fact, provide a systematic influence to do bad things? If that is not deemed to be conclusive, how about the fact that the average atheist crime against humanity is 18.3 million percent worse than the very worst depredation committed by Christians, even though atheists have had less than one-twentieth the number of opportunities with which to commit them. If one considers the statistically significant size of the historical atheist set and contrasts it with the fact that not one in a thousand religious leaders have committed similarly large-scale atrocities, it is impossible to conclude otherwise, even if we do not yet understand exactly why this should be the case. Once might be an accident, even twice could be coincidence, but fifty-two incidents in ninety years reeks of causation![49] |
” |
See also:
Atheism and charity
- See also: Atheism and charity and Atheism and depression and Atheism, uncharitableness and depression
Concerning the issue of atheism and uncharitableness, the evidence indicates that per capita charitable giving by atheists and agnostics in America is significantly less than by theists, according to a study by the Barna Group:
“ | The typical no-faith American donated just $200 in 2006, which is more than seven times less than the amount contributed by the prototypical active-faith adult ($1500). Even when church-based giving is subtracted from the equation, active-faith adults donated twice as many dollars last year as did atheists and agnostics. In fact, while just 7% of active-faith adults failed to contribute any personal funds in 2006, that compares with 22% among the no-faith adults.[51] | ” |
A comprehensive study by Harvard University professor Robert Putnam found that religious people are more charitable than their irreligious counterparts.[50] The study revealed that forty percent of worship service attending Americans volunteer regularly to help the poor and elderly as opposed to 15% of Americans who never attend services.[50] Moreover, religious individuals are more likely than non-religious individuals to volunteer for school and youth programs (36% vs. 15%), a neighborhood or civic group (26% vs. 13%), and for health care (21% vs. 13%).[50]
Atheism and immoral views
- See: Atheism and morality and Atheism and bestiality and Atheism and homosexuality and Atheism and sadism and Atheism and rape and Atheism and slavery and Atheism and hell and Atheist hypocrisy and Atheism and the persecution of homosexuals
The Barna Group found regarding atheism and morality that those who hold to the worldviews of atheism or agnosticism in America were more likely, than theists in America, to look upon the following behaviors as morally acceptable: illegal drug use; excessive drinking; sexual relationships outside of marriage; abortion; cohabitating with someone of opposite sex outside of marriage; obscene language; gambling; pornography and obscene sexual behavior; and engaging in homosexuality/bisexuality.[52] Given the many diseases associated with homosexuality, the biblical prohibition against homosexuality is quite arguably one of the many example where the Bible exhibited knowledge that was ahead of its time.
James Randi is a leader within the atheist community. Brian Thompson, former James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) Outreach Coordinator, wrote:
“ | But I no longer identify with this community of benevolent know-it-alls, because not all of them are the best folks in the world. In fact, a good percentage of the top ten worst humans I’ve ever met are prominent members of the skeptics’ club. They’re dishonest, mean-spirited, narcissistic, misogynistic. Pick a personality flaw, and I can probably point you to someone who epitomizes it. And that person has probably had a speaking slot at a major skeptical conference.
I grew particularly disgusted with the boys’ club attitude I saw among skeptical leaders and luminaries. The kind of attitude that’s dismissive of women, sexually predatory, and downright gross. When I first started going to skeptical conferences as a fresh-faced know-it-all, I started hearing things about people I once admired. Then I started seeing things myself. Then I got a job with the JREF, and the pattern continued.[53] |
” |
The Journal of Medical Ethics declared concerning the atheist and sadist Marquis de Sade:
“ | In 1795 the Marquis de Sade published his La Philosophie dans le boudoir, in which he proposed the use of induced abortion for social reasons and as a means of population control. It is from this time that medical and social acceptance of abortion can be dated, although previously the subject had not been discussed in public in modern times. It is suggested that it was largely due to de Sade's writing that induced abortion received the impetus which resulted in its subsequent spread in western society.[54] | ” |
Population control is based on pseudoscience and ill founded economic assumptions.[55] CBS News reported: "According to a mail-in survey of nearly 4,000 British doctors, those who were atheist or agnostic were almost twice as willing to take actions designed to hasten the end of life."[56]
In 2007 the Baptist Press reported:
“ | ...a pollster at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, found that adults who profess a belief in God are significantly more likely than atheists to say that forgiveness, patience, generosity and a concern for others are "very important." In fact, the poll found that on 11 of 12 values, there was a double-digit gap between theists and atheists, with theists more likely to label each value "very important."
The survey by sociologist and pollster Reginald Bibby examined the beliefs of 1,600 Canadians, 82 percent who said they believed in "God or a higher power" and 18 percent who said they did not.[57] |
” |
Dr. Phil Fernandes states the following regarding atheism and moral relativism:
“ | Nietzsche preached that a group of "supermen" must arise with the courage to create their own values through their "will to power." Nietzsche rejected the "soft" values of Christianity (brotherly love, turning the other cheek, charity, compassion, etc.); he felt they hindered man's creativity and potential....
Many other atheists agree with Nietzsche concerning moral relativism. British philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) once wrote, "Outside human desires there is no moral standard." A. J. Ayer believed that moral commands did not result from any objective standard above man. Instead, Ayer stated that moral commands merely express one's subjective feelings. When one says that murder is wrong, one is merely saying that he or she feels that murder is wrong. Jean-Paul Sartre, a French existentialist, believed that there is no objective meaning to life. Therefore, according to Sartre, man must create his own values. There are many different ways that moral relativists attempt to determine what action should be taken. Hedonism is probably the most extreme. It declares that whatever brings the most pleasure is right. In other words, if it feels good, do it. If this position is true, then there is no basis from which to judge the actions of Adolph Hitler as being evil.[60] |
” |
Given that atheistic evolutionary thinking has engendered social darwinism and given that the proponents of atheism have no rational basis for morality in their ideology, the immoral views that atheists often hold and the low per capita giving of American atheists is not unpredictable.
Atheism, pederasty and NAMBLA
see also: Atheism, pederasty and NAMBLA and Teenage homosexuality and Homosexuality and pederasty
Some of the well known atheist advocates of the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) are:
1. The atheist and homosexual David Thorstad was a founding member of the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA).[61]
2. Harry Hay (1912 - 2002) was an liberal advocate of statutory rape and the widely acknowledged founder and progenitor of the activist homosexual agenda in the United States. Hay joined the Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA) in 1934. [62] Harry Hay was an atheist.[63] He was a vociferous advocate of man/boy love. [64] In 1986, Hay marched in a gay parade wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words "NAMBLA walks with me."[65]
3. The writer Samuel R. Delany is an atheist and a homosexual.[66] Delaney said he was a supporter of NAMBLA.[67]
See also: Richard Dawkins on child molestation and so called "gentle pedophiles" and John Maynard Keynes and pederasty
Atheism and bestiality
See also: Atheism and bestiality
Bestiality is the act of engaging in sexual relations with an animal. The atheist philosopher Peter Singer defends the practice bestiality (as well as abortion, infanticide and euthanasia). Despite holding these views the liberal and pro-evolution academic establishment rewarded his views with a bioethics chair at Princeton University.[68]
The prominent atheist P. Z. Meyers declared, "I don’t object to bestiality in a very limited set of specific conditions...."[69]
The Bible says that bestiality is a perversion and, under the Old Testament Jewish Law, punishable by death (Exodus 22:19, Leviticus 18:23, Leviticus 20:15 and Deuteronomy 27:21). The atheistic worldview does not lend itself to the establishment of morality within society and individuals (see: Atheism and morality and Atheism and deception).
The Christian apologist and author Michael Caputo writes:
“ | Although bestiality is not openly supported by well known Militant Atheist sites, support for it is inherent in their insistence that decisions of a sexual nature should be left up to the individual adults to determine. God disagrees.[71] | ” |
For additional information please see:
In areas of the Western World where there is a significant amount of atheism and evolutionary belief, there have been notable problems related to bestiality (see: Geographic areas where bestiality is posing a notable problem).
Other issues relating to atheism and immorality
For more more information please see: Atheism and morality
Atheism and hypocrisy
See also: Atheist hypocrisy
In order to attempt to justify their atheism, atheists often engage in hypocritical argumentation. In addition, atheists often engage in hypocritical behavior. Please see: Atheist hypocrisy
Atheism and miracles
- See main article: Atheism and Miracles
In relation to atheism and miracles, modern scholars are divided on the issue of whether or not David Hume was an atheist.[72] With that caveat in mind, Hume is well known for arguing that it is always more probable that the testimony of a miracle is false than that the miracle occurred.[73] Christian apologists William Lane Craig, Norman Geisler, C.S. Lewis, JP Holding, and others have shown the inadequacy and unreasonableness of Hume's position regarding miracles.[74]
Atheism and questions of origins
- See articles: Atheism and Evolution and Evolution as a secular origins myth
Creationist scientists state that the first law of thermodynamics and the second law of thermodynamics argue against an eternal universe or a universe created by natural processes and argue for a universe created by God.[75] A majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position which employs methodological naturalism since World War II have had the worldview of atheism.[2] Creation scientists assert that the theory of evolution is an inadequate explanation for the variety of life forms on earth.[76] In addition, the current naturalistic explanations for the origin of life are inadequate. The theory of evolution has had a number of negative social effects.
The Freedom From Atheism Foundation (FFAF)
In 2012, the Freedom From Atheism Foundation (FFAF) https://www.facebook.com/FFAF.International was formed as an online interfaith civil rights group to provide support for victims of militant atheism, protect the rights of religious believers, and address the increasing amount of atheist intolerance around the world. As of July 2014 the group has over 220,000 followers and makes an average of 80 posts a week. Along with tens of thousands of religious supporters, the group also found support from atheist author and biologist PZ Myers.[77] The group's many admins are all anonymous due to the large amount of hate mail, threats, and stalking the site receives from militant atheists. A May 2014 article in The Christian Post titled "Freedom From Religion? How About Freedom From Atheism?" profiled the Freedom From Atheism Foundation in greater detail. [78]
Atheism and mental and physical health
- See also: Atheism and health and Atheism and obesity and Atheism and alcoholism
The is considerable amount of scientific evidence that suggest that theism is more conducive to mental and physical health than atheism and some of the more significant findings are given below [79] (For more information please see: Atheism and health).
Mayo Clinic, university studies, and other research
The prestigious Mayo Clinic reported the following on December 11, 2001:
“ | In an article also published in this issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mayo Clinic researchers reviewed published studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and subject reviews that examined the association between religious involvement and spirituality and physical health, mental health, health-related quality of life and other health outcomes.
The authors report a majority of the nearly 350 studies of physical health and 850 studies of mental health that have used religious and spiritual variables have found that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes.[80] |
” |
The Iona Institute reported:
“ | A meta-analysis of all studies, both published and unpublished, relating to religious involvement and longevity was carried out in 2000. Forty-two studies were included, involving some 126,000 subjects. Active religious involvement increased the chance of living longer by some 29%, and participation in public religious practices, such as church attendance, increased the chance of living longer by 43%.*[81][82] | ” |
In December of 2003, the University of Warwick reported:
“ | Dr. Stephen Joseph, from the University of Warwick, said: "Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier. Looking at the research evidence, it seems that those who celebrate the Christian meaning of Christmas are on the whole likely to be happier.[83] | ” |
Duke University has established the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health.[84] The Duke University Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health is based in the Center for Aging at Duke and gives opportunities for scholarly trans-disciplinary conversation and the development of collaborative research projects.[85] In respect to the atheism and mental and physical health, the center offers many studies which suggest that theism is more beneficial than atheism.[86]
The Christian group Teen Challenge reported:
“ | Teen Challenge claims of a 70% cure rate for the drug addicts graduating from their program attracted the attention of the U.S. Federal Government in 1973. Most secular drug rehabilitation programs only experienced a cure rate of 1-15% of their graduates. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, funded the first year of this study to evaluate the long term results of the Teen Challenge program.[89] | ” |
Teen Challenge has a number of studies that indicate the high effectiveness of their drug treatment program compared to other programs.[90] Studies indicate that consumers of secular counseling psychology programs show hardly any benefit at all for alcoholism (see also: Ineffectiveness of secular counseling psychology).[91][92] The Apostle Paul in a letter to the church of Corinth indicated that Christians were able to overcome being drunkards through the power of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 6:9-11). The website The Berean Call has a number of articles on various false claims and unbiblical notions that many practioners of counseling psychology promote.[93]
Currently, there is an ongoing debate on whether Friedrich Nietzsche's insanity was caused purely through disease or whether his atheistic/nihilistic philosophical outlook on life was the cause.[94] [88]
An article published on the Hong Kong Baptist University declares:
“ | Trying to explain what caused his insanity can only be a matter of speculation. Some people believe it was the result of a physical illness. Others interpret his suffering as that of a true prophet, almost as if he were accepting the punishment on behalf of those who could not see mankind's tendency towards self-destruction so clearly. Still others regard his final fate as a natural outcome of his philosophical outlook.[88] | ” |
The Russian-born psychoanalyst and writer Lou Andreas-Salomé, who had a brief and tempestuous affair with Nietzsche, believed that Nietzsche's philosophy can be viewed as a reflection of his psychology and that his madness was the result of his philosophizing.[95] In addition, the French historian René Girard asserted that Nietzsche's philosophy led to his insanity.[96]
Atheism and suicide
- See also: Atheism and depression and Atheism and suicide and Hopelessness of atheism and Atheism, gender and suicide and Atheism, marriage and suicide
Although there are recent studies relating to atheism being a causal factor for suicide for some individuals, an early proponent of atheism being a causal factor for suicide was the Reverend Dr. Robert Stuart MacArthur.[97][98][99] In 1894, the NY Times stated the following in relation to atheism and suicide:
“ | Dr. Martin urged that a great cause of suicide was atheism. It was, he said, a remarkable fact that where atheism prevailed most, there suicides were most numerous. In Paris, a recent census showed one suicide to every 2,700 of the population. After the publication of Paine's "Age of Reason" suicides increased.[99] | ” |
The same NY Times article quotes the Reverend Dr. MacArthur describing suicide in the following manner:
“ | It is mean and not manly; it is dastardly and not daring. A man who involves his innocent wife and children in financial disaster and disgrace and takes his life and leaves them to bear the burden he was unwilling to bear, is a coward.[99] | ” |
In 2004, the American Journal of Psychiatry reported:
“ | Religiously unaffiliated subjects had significantly more lifetime suicide attempts and more first-degree relatives who committed suicide than subjects who endorsed a religious affiliation. Unaffiliated subjects were younger, less often married, less often had children, and had less contact with family members. Furthermore, subjects with no religious affiliation perceived fewer reasons for living, particularly fewer moral objections to suicide. In terms of clinical characteristics, religiously unaffiliated subjects had more lifetime impulsivity, aggression, and past substance use disorder. No differences in the level of subjective and objective depression, hopelessness, or stressful life events were found.[100] | ” |
For more information please see:
Atheism and obesity
See also: Atheism and obesity and Atheism and health
According to the Gallup Organization, "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."[101] For more information please Atheism and obesity
Gallup declared concerning the study which measured the degree to which religiosity affects health practices: "Generalized linear model analysis was used to estimate marginal scores all five reported metrics after controlling for age (in years), gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, education (number of years), log of income, and region of the country... Results are based on telephone interviews conducted as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey Jan. 2-July 28, 2010, with a random sample of 554,066 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, selected using random-digit-dial sampling."[102]
Please see:
Atheism and alcohol abuse
See: Atheism and alcohol abuse
Atheism and sexually transmitted diseases
Atheistic populations commonly have significant problems with sexually transmitted diseases. See: Atheism and sexually transmitted diseases.
Sports performance: Religious faith vs. atheism
See also: Sports performance: Religious faith vs. atheism
The Sports Journal is a monthly refereed journal published by the United States Sports Academy. A journal article appeared in the Sports Journal entitled Strength of Religious Faith of Athletes and Nonathletes at Two NCAA Division III Institutions. The article was submitted by Nathan T. Bell, Scott R. Johnson, and Jeffrey C. Petersen from Ball State University.[103] An excerpt from the abstract of the journal article Strength of Religious Faith of Athletes and Nonathletes at Two NCAA Division III Institutions declares:
“ | Numerous studies report athletes to be more religious than nonathletes (Fischer, 1997; Storch, Kolsky, Silvestri, & Storch, 2001; Storch et al., 2004). According to Storch, Kolsky, Silvestri, and Storch (2001), four reasons may explain why religion interacts with athletic performance.[103] | ” |
Atheism is a religion
See also: Atheism is a religion and Atheist cults and Atheist hypocrisy
Many of the leaders of the atheist movement, such as the evolutionist and weak atheist/agnostic Richard Dawkins, argue for agnosticism/atheism with a religious fervor.
Roderick Ninian Smart, a Scottish writer and professor, defined a seven-part scheme of understanding both religious and secular worldviews[105]. These can be understood as narrative, experiential, social, ethical, doctrinal, ritual and material.
English Pastor Daniel Smartt defines atheism as a religion, using Ninian Smart's seven dimensions of worldview as a list of criteria. It is not necessary in Smartt's model for every one of these to be present in order for something to be a religion.[106]. However, it can be argued that all seven are present in the case of atheism.[107][108]
In 2013, a trend of atheist services began and atheist services were reported in the New York Times, The Blaze and other major news outlets.[109]
See also: Atheism: A religion and Atheism is a religion and Atheist cults and Atheism
Atheism is a religion and its legal implications relative to the teaching of evolution
Atheism is a religion and naturalistic notions of origins are religious which has legal implications relative to evolution being taught in public schools.[110][111][112]
John Calvert, a lawyer and intelligent design proponent declared:
“ | The Seventh Judicial Circuit of the Court of Appeals of the United States held that atheism is a religion. Therefore, it cannot be promoted by a public school. Currently, public schools are often unwittingly promoting atheism through a dogmatic and uncritical teaching of materialistic theories of origins.[113] | ” |
The atheist philosopher of science Michael Ruse admitted: "Evolution is a religion. This was true of evolution in the beginning, and it is true of evolution still today."[114] In the their Question evolution! campaign, Creation Ministries International asks as a part of their 15 questions for evolutionists: "Why is a fundamentally religious idea, a dogmatic belief system that fails to explain the evidence, taught in science classes?...If “you can’t teach religion in science classes”, why is evolution taught?[115]
Atheism and women
see also: Atheism and women and Atheism and rape and Elevatorgate and Prominent atheists whose wives believe in the existence of God
Recent studies
Surveys by country
In November of 2010, Discover Magazine published survey results published by the World Values Survey which showed significant differences between the percentage of men and women who are atheists for various countries.[118] See also: Atheism and women
United States surveys
A 2009 article in LiveScience.com entitled Women More Religious Than Men reported: "A new analysis of survey data finds women pray more often then men, are more likely to believe in God, and are more religious than men in a variety of other ways...The latest findings, released Friday, are no surprise, only confirming what other studies have found for decades. [119] In 2007, the Pew Research Center found that American women were more religious than American men.[120]
Large atheist group survey and atheist meetings
In 2011, Beliefnetnews reported concerning the race and gender of American atheists:
“ | From the smallest local meetings to the largest conferences, the vast majority of speakers and attendees are almost always white men. Leading figures of the atheist movement - Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Daniel Dennett -- are all white men.
But making atheism more diverse is proving to be no easy task. Surveys suggest most atheists are white men. A recent survey of 4,000 members of the Freedom from Religion Foundation found that 95 percent were white, and men comprised a majority.[121] |
” |
Atheism and sexism
Atheist women currently experience a considerable amount of sexism and harassment from atheist men.
For more information please see:
Atheism and marriageability
See also: Atheism and marriage and Prominent atheists whose wives believe in the existence of God
Atheism and rates of marriage in the United States
See also: Atheism and marriageability and Atheism and women
The Christian apologist Michael Caputo wrote:
“ | Recently the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has published its mammoth study on Religion in America based on 35,000 interviews... According to the Pew Forum a whopping 37% of atheists never marry as opposed to 19% of the American population, 17% of Protestants and 17% of Catholics.[122] | ” |
Vox Day declared that according to the 2001 American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) "more than half of all atheists and agnostics don’t get married."[123]
For more information please see: Atheism and marriageability
Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks
See also: Atheist nerds and Internet atheism and Atheism and women and Atheism and social outcasts and Decline of atheism
In 2013, the atheist PZ Myers declared:
“ | If we're going to expand our base and we're going to draw in more people to recognize the virtues of living in a secular world, we need to appeal to more than just that geek and nerd subset of the population. We need to have a wider base. ...I seriously believe that we're on the cusp of a crisis. We're not there yet but it's looming in front of us. Will we adapt and thrive and change the world? Or will we remain an avocation for a prosperous and largely irrelevant subset of the population? Will we become something more than a scattered society of internet nerds? That's what we have to do.[125] | ” |
In response, Evolution News and Views wrote:
“ | A crisis looms, in Myers's view, because he looks around himself and sees a not very promising basis for a mass movement. He's right. There is indeed a quality of geeky isolation from reality, common sense, and the fullness of life that I see as a motif in atheist and Darwin activism alike.[126] | ” |
For more information please see: Internet atheism and Atheist nerds
Decline of atheism in terms of the global population
See also: Desecularization and Global atheism and Atheist Population and British atheism and Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian
Atheists as a percentage of the world's population have declined since 1970 and global atheism is expected to face long term decline.[131]
On July 24, 2013, CNS News reported:
“ | Atheism is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass."[132] | ” |
In 2012, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary reported that globally every day there are 800 less atheists per day, 1,100 less non-religious (agnostic) people per day and 83,000 more people professing to be Christians per day.[133][134]
Eric Kaufmann, a professor at Birkbeck, University of London, using a wealth of demographic studies argues the decline of atheism in terms of its global adherents is an established trend that will persist for the foreseeable future and the rate of decline will accelerate.[135] Kaufmann told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."[136] For example, in 2013, citing experts in demography and survey data, the Christian Post declared that there were three trends pointing to the United States potentially becoming more religious in coming years - namely an aging population becoming more religious over time, religious immigrants and the higher fertility rate of religious conservatives.[137]
One of the steepest declines of atheism that is expected to occur is in China which currently has the largest atheist population in the world. China is experiencing a rapid growth of theologically conservative Christianity which will have a significant effect on the global atheist population.[138]
Desecularization can also occur through providential acts of God and in reaction to God granting Christian's prayers.[139][140][141][142] The theologian and Harvard University academic Harvey Cox asserted that grassroots movements such as fundamentalism and the Charismatic movement/pentecostalism are significant religious forces that are resistant to secularization forces.[143][144]
For more information please see:
Western atheism and race
See also: Western atheism and race and Atheist hypocrisy
As note earlier, an atheists' meeting was organized in the United States concerning the future direction of the atheist movement and 370 people attended. The conference, sponsored by the Council for Secular Humanism, drew members from all the major atheist organizations in the United States. The New York Times described the attendees as "The largely white and male crowd — imagine a Star Trek convention, but older..."[145] According to the Quantcast data, white males appear to be the group of individuals who are most receptive to Richard Dawkins' and atheist Sam Harris' message.[146][147] These findings, combined with the aforementioned data indicating that atheism is significantly less appealing to women, suggests that atheist movement in the Western world and New Atheism movement are significantly more appealing to white males.
Atheism and evolutionary racism
See also: Atheism and evolutionary racism and Social effects of the theory of evolution
Since World War II a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists.[2] The errant and ill founded writings of atheist Charles Darwin (see: religious views of Charles Darwin)[149], which became very influential in the late 19th century, provided a pretext for racism. Evolutionary racism refers to a racist philosophy based on Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory. It assumes that men have continually evolved, and thus some races are more evolved than others. It replaces Christian morality with the atheistic "survival of the fittest" ideology of Social Darwinism.
Charles Darwin wrote in his work The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex:
“ | At some future period not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilised races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes...will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest Allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilised state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as the baboon, instead of as now between the Negro or Australian and the gorilla.[150][151] | ” |
An example of evolutionary racism is when an evolutionary racist put Ota Benga on display at the Bronx Zoo in the monkey house.[152] In addition, evolutionary racism was directed at Michelle Obama.[153]
The atheist Ernst Haeckel was a virulent evolutionary racist. The agnostic and staunch evolutionist Stephen Gould admitted the following:
“ | Haeckel was the chief apostle of evolution in Germany.... His evolutionary racism; his call to the German people for racial purity and unflinching devotion to a "just" state; his belief that harsh, inexorable laws of evolution ruled human civilization and nature alike, conferring upon favored races the right to dominate others; the irrational mysticism that had always stood in strange communion with his brave words about objective science - all contributed to the rise of Nazism. - Stephen J. Gould, "Ontogeny and Phylogeny," Belknap Press: Cambridge MA, 1977, pp.77-78).[154] | ” |
Creativity Movement
See also: Creativity Movement and Atheist cults
The Creativity Movement, formerly known as the World Church Of The Creator, is an atheistic white supremacist organization.[155][156][157] The movement has denounced Christianity,[156] as it purports to promote love for all of mankind.[158] It denounces religion for bringing horror into the world by dividing the white race.[156]
Atheism and deception
For more information please see: Atheism and deception and Irreligion and superstition and Atheist cults
As alluded to earlier, prior to Charles Darwin publishing his evolutionist work On The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life, Darwin wrote in his private notebooks that he was a materialist, which is a type of atheist.[159] Charles Darwin’s casual mentioning of a ‘creator’ in earlier editions of The Origin of Species appears to have been a merely a deceitful ploy to downplay the implications of his materialistic theory. [159]
German scientist Ernst Haeckel was a very influential proponent of the evolutionary position and Haeckel was an advocate of atheism.[160] Ernst Haeckel attempted to portray himself as an ethical proponent of atheism, however, history shows he was a deceitful individual.[161][160][162] [163][164] The March 9, 1907 edition of the NY Times refers to Ernst Haeckel as the "celebrated Darwinian and founder of the Association for the Propagation of Ethical Atheism."[160]
For more information please see: Atheism and deception
Irreligion and superstition
See also: Irreligion and superstition and Theory of Evolution, Liberalism, Atheism, and Irrationality and Atheist cults
In September of 2008, the Wall Street Journal reported:
“ | The reality is that the New Atheist campaign, by discouraging religion, won't create a new group of intelligent, skeptical, enlightened beings. Far from it: It might actually encourage new levels of mass superstition. And that's not a conclusion to take on faith -- it's what the empirical data tell us.
"What Americans Really Believe," a comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, shows that traditional Christian religion greatly decreases belief in everything from the efficacy of palm readers to the usefulness of astrology. It also shows that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to superstition, tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in pseudoscience than evangelical Christians.... This is not a new finding. In his 1983 book "The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener," skeptic and science writer Martin Gardner cited the decline of traditional religious belief among the better educated as one of the causes for an increase in pseudoscience, cults and superstition. He referenced a 1980 study published in the magazine Skeptical Inquirer that showed irreligious college students to be by far the most likely to embrace paranormal beliefs, while born-again Christian college students were the least likely.[166] |
” |
For more information please see: Irreligion and superstition
Intellectuals increasingly rejecting atheistic ideology
According to Munich theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg "Atheism as a theoretical position is in decline worldwide."[167] Given that the evolutionary position is a often cited component of the ideology of atheism in the Western world, the gradual loss of public support of the evolutionary position is one of the many factors which are eroding the ideology of atheism. Oxford scholar Alister McGrath cites a number of additional factors in regards to the decline of atheism as an intellectual position.[168] [169]
Given the many factors which are eroding atheistic ideology McGrath states:
“ | ...Atheism is in trouble. Its future seems increasingly to lie in the private beliefs of individuals rather than in the great public domain it once regarded as its natural habitat.[170] | ” |
Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism
See also: Internet atheism
Four of the more notable Christian apologetics which have a large focus on the topic of atheism are: True Free Thinker, the Creation Ministries International resources on atheism, the Fixed Point Foundation website, and Atheism Analyzed.
Liberal media - apostles of atheism
The Media Research Center released a study in 2008 reporting pro-atheism bias by major press outlets in the United States.[171] The study is not surprising given the liberal bias that commonly exists in the major media outlets.
Causes of atheism
- See main article: Causes of atheism and Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian
There are a number of psychological, societal, familial, economic and spiritual factors which cause atheism which have been proposed over the centuries. Please see: Causes of atheism
Atheism and the foundation of modern science
See also: Christianity and science
The birth of modern science occurred in Christianized Europe.[172] Sociologist Rodney Stark investigated the individuals who made the most significant scientific contributions between 1543 and 1680 A.D., the time of the Scientific Revolution. In Stark's list of 52 top scientific contributors,[173] only one (Edmund Halley) was a skeptic and another (Paracelsus) was a pantheist. The other 50 were Christians, 30 of whom could be characterized as being devout Christians.[173] Sir Francis Bacon, sometimes referred to as "the Father of Modern Science", wrote in his essay entitled Of Atheism the following: "I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the Talmud, and the Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a mind."[174]
Atheism and debate
See also: Atheism debates and Atheism and cowardice and Atheist factions
Historically speaking, atheism has fared very poorly in debates. In addition, due to prominent atheists dodging debates, the cowardice associated with atheism has become so obvious that it is making newspaper headlines (For more information please see: Atheism and cowardice).[175] [176]
Richard Dawkins, who flip-flops between being an agnostic and an atheist as far as his public persona (see: Richard Dawkins and agnosticism), has established a reputation of avoiding his strongest debate opponents. On May 14, 2011, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph published a news story entitled Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God.[177] In The Daily Telegraph article Dr. Daniel Came, a a member of the Faculty of Philosophy at Oxford University was quoted as writing to fellow atheist Richard Dawkins concerning his refusal to debate Dr. William Lane Craig, "The absence of a debate with the foremost apologist for Christian theism is a glaring omission on your CV and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."[178] Also, atheists tend to dodge creation vs. evolution debates.
For more information see: Atheism debates and Atheism and cowardice
Creation vs. evolution debates
See also: Creation scientists tend to win debates with evolutionists
The worldwide atheist community was challenged to a debate by Creation Ministries International as prominent atheists were speaking at a 2010 global atheist convention in Australia.[179] Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers and other prominent atheists refused to debate Creation Ministries International.[180] Generally speaking, creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates (see: Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates.
Notable atheists who became ex-atheists
See: Ex-atheists
Views on atheists
See also: Views on atheists and Atheism and social outcasts
Concerning various views on atheists, research in the American Sociological Review finds that among several groups listed, those who hold the position of atheism are the group that Americans relate least to in terms of their vision of American society and are the group most likely to be mentioned as one that Americans would not want to have marry into their family.[181] Dr. Sam Harris, a founder of the New Atheism movement, is well aware of the stigma surrounding atheism and has advocated that atheists no longer call themselves atheists.[182] In fact, Dr. Harris has said concerning the label of atheist, "It's right next to child molester as a designation."[183]
Americans and Canadians distrust atheists as much as rapists
See also: Atheism and rape and Atheism and morality
On December 10, 2011, USA Today reported in a story entitled Study: Atheists distrusted as much as rapists:
“ | The study, conducted among 350 Americans adults and 420 Canadian college students, asked participants to decide if a fictional driver damaged a parked car and left the scene, then found a wallet and took the money, was the driver more likely to be a teacher, an atheist teacher, or a rapist teacher?
The participants, who were from religious and nonreligious backgrounds, most often chose the atheist teacher. The study is part of an attempt to understand what needs religion fulfills in people. Among the conclusions is a sense of trust in others. "People find atheists very suspect," Shariff said. "They don't fear God so we should distrust them; they do not have the same moral obligations of others. This is a common refrain against atheists. People fear them as a group."[184] |
” |
New Atheism
See also: New Atheism and Atheist factions and Brights Movement and Militant atheism and Atheist cults
Dissent Magazine stated the following about the "New Atheism":
“ | A number of prominent authors and scientists have published books in the past year that advocate a "New Atheism." The books, which include Daniel Dennett's Breaking the Spell, Richard Dawkins's The God Delusion, and Christopher Hitchens' God is Not Great, have sparked considerable public controversy across the political spectrum.[185] | ” |
Dr. Albert Mohler Jr. describes some of the key attributes of the "New Atheism":
“ | Now, WIRED magazine comes out with a cover story on atheism for its November 2006 issue. In "The New Atheism," WIRED contributing editor Gary Wolf explains that this newly assertive form of atheism declares a very simple message: "No heaven. No hell. Just science."...
Wolf accomplishes a great deal in his article, thoughtfully introducing the work of militant atheists such as Dawkins, Harris, and Dennett. At the same time, he probes more deeply into the actual meaning of the New Atheism as a movement and a message. At the beginning of his article, he gets right to the point: "The New Atheists will not let us off the hook simply because we are not doctrinaire believers. They condemn not just belief in God but respect for belief in God. Religion is not only wrong; it's evil. Now that the battle has been joined, there's no excuse for shirking."[186] |
” |
Impact of the New Atheism
See also: Impact of the New Atheism
The New Atheism has not had much of an impact in terms of gaining new adherents to atheism. In a March 10, 2008 USA Today article Stephen Prothero indicated that the New Atheism movement was not effective in adding new adherents to atheism and he cited statistics from a large Pew Research Center study which indicated that the number of atheists in the United States was merely 1.6% of respondents.[187]
Atheism in academia
In 2001 atheist and philosopher Quentin Smith declared:
“ | Naturalists [atheists] passively watched as realist versions of theism … began to sweep through the philosophical community, until today perhaps one-quarter or one-third of philosophy professors are theists, with most being orthodox Christians…. God is not 'dead' in academia; he returned to life in the 1960's and is now alive and well in his last academic stronghold, philosophy departments."[188] | ” |
In 2004, Professor Alister McGrath, professor of historical theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University declared, "The golden age of atheism is over."[189]
American Atheists
See also: American atheism
American Atheists is an American atheists group founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair that has a history of intellectual incompetence. Madalyn Murray O'Hair did particularly badly in her debate with Dr. Walter Martin.[190] For example, when she claimed there were supposedly were contradictions in the Bible, Dr. Martin asked her to provide an example of one and Ms. O'Hair did not and could not offer even an alleged example of a Bible contradiction.[191] In addition, Ms. O'Hair was ill prepared in terms of defending against the issue of atheism and mass murder.[192]
see also: Frank Zindler vs. William Lane Craig debate
For more information please see:
French Revolution and atheism
see: History of Atheism
Atheism and homosexuality
See:
Atheist population as a percentage of various countries' populations
- See main article: Atheist Population
Specific research on the worldwide atheist population conducted in 2006 suggests that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France. A survey published in the 2005 Encyclopedia Britannica declared that 2.3% of the world's population consists of individuals who profess "atheism, skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the militantly antireligious." Concerning the 2.3% figure just mentioned, the 2005 survey cited by Encyclopedia Britannica survey did not include Buddhist in regards to the 2.3% figure and Buddhism can be theistic or atheistic.[193]
Ipsos, a major global market research company, published a report on report on religious belief/skepticism from a worlwide perspective and the report provides various statistics gained from survey results.
Other well known proponents of atheism
Prominent holders of the position of atheism and atheist schools of thought have been or include:
- Carvaka school: an atheistic and materialistic offshoot of Hinduism in the 6th century B.C.
- Samkhya school: an atheistic school of classical Indian philosophy, originating in the 6th century B.C.
- Diagoras: Greek philosopher who denied the existence of the Greek pantheon
- Lucretius: Greek philosopher espousing materialism, and stated that man should not believe in the gods because their ideas about the gods and their fear of death made men unhappy
- Friedrich Nietzsche: Prominent 19th century atheist philosopher
- Mao Zedong: Chinese Communist leader
- Benito Mussolini
- Paul Kurtz: founder of the Council of Secular Humanism
- Ayn Rand
- Isaac Asimov
- Douglas Adams
- Marquis de Sade[194]
- Mark Rothko (1903–1970) painter, classified as an abstract expressionist.
Atheism quotes
See articles: Atheism Quotes and Humorous quotes about atheism and evolution
Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian
See also
- Atheism articles
- Atheism and evolution essays
- Conservapedia Atheism Project
- History of Atheism
- Definitions of Atheist and Agnostic
- Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution (large collection of comedy/satire concerning atheism and evolution)
- Creation vs. Evolution Videos
- Martyred in the USSR: Militant Atheism in former Soviet Union
- Atheism and satanic deception
- Christian apologetics
- Atheism and beliefs
- Atheism and belief
- Atheism and Evolution
- Agnosticism
- Atheism and Christianity
- Infidel
- Intelligent design
- Second generation atheist
- Poe's law
- Atheism symbols
- International Atheist Day
External links
see also: Atheism website resources
General articles on atheism:
- Atheism by Creation Ministries International
- Horrific Human Toll of 'Militant Atheism' Exposed: USSR's genocide against Christians largely ignored - World Net Daily
- Atheism, agnosticism and humanism: godless religions by Creation Ministries International
- True Free Thinker - atheism section
- Atheism by Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry
- Rethinking Atheism by Ravi Zacharias Ministries
- 4 reasons why atheism and agnosticism are weak, errant, secular religions
Atheism and purpose/meaning:
- The failure of atheism
- The failure of atheism to account for rationality
- Atheism: Unyielding Despair - video
Atheism and morality:
Psychology of atheism:
Atheism and leadership:
Documentary on atheism:
- Martyred in the USSR: Militant Atheism in the former Soviet Union
- Documentary on Militant Atheism in the USSR
Decline of global atheism:
- Decline of global atheism - Professor Eric Kaufmann
- The Twilight of Atheism by Alister McGrath, Christianity Today, March 2005
- What does the historical record say about how fast secularism can collapse in countries?
- The rise and fall of atheism by Fred Hutchison
- Twilight of the godless by Alister McGrath (Oxford Professor)
- 10 Reasons American atheism will see a significant decline
Christian outreach to atheists on YouTube:
- Atheist Experience show messes up bad on TV
- Ex-Atheist conquers Atheist Experience show exposing the madness of atheism
- Shockofgod calls into Atheist Radio show - Hilarious! Part 1
- Shockofgod calls into Atheist Radio show - Hilarious! Part 2
- Atheist runs from question on live radio and hangs up
Unreasonableness of atheism:
- Conversation with an atheist by Probe Ministries
- Unbelievable Unbelief by Gregory Koukl
- Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist by Professor Ralph McInerny
- Theism, Atheism, and Rationality by Alvin Plantinga
- Essay: Is Richard Dawkins an intellectually fulfilled atheist?
Atheism and uncharitableness:
Atheism is a religion:
Comedy/satire concerning atheism
- Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution (large collection of comedy/satire concerning atheism)
Atheism and intelligence:
Atheism and cowardice:
- Global atheists reject debate challenge
- President of British Humanist Society pulls out of debate with William Lane Craig
- Essay: Does Richard Dawkins have machismo? (satire)
- Richard Dawkins, the Cowardly Clown
Atheism and science:
- The Unraveling of Scientific Materialism by Phillip E. Johnson
- The Origin of Life and the Death of Materialism by Stephen Meyer
Various issues concerning atheism:
- The causes of atheism by James Spiegel
- Atheism's House of Cards
- Arguments Built by Assumptions
- Responses to Atheist Philosopher, Michael Martin Reformed theologians
- Outrageous Reasoning, A Closer Look at a Common Skeptical Tactic by JP Holding
- Atheist delusion: Answering "The God Delusion" and other works of atheist Richard Dawkins
- Is Yahweh a Moral Monster? The New Atheists and Old Testament Ethics by Paul Copan
- Do atheists know more about religion than religious people?
Atheism and history
- Atheism, not religion, is the real force behind the mass murders of history by Dinesh D'Souza
- Forced Secularization in Soviet Russia: Why an Atheistic Monopoly Failed
- Atheism Remix By Albert Mohler Jr. - Chapter 1: The New Atheism and the Endgame of Secularism
- The Enlightenment and Belief in God by Probe Ministries
Atheism and some recent events
- Atheist's bizarre bid to convert Christian - Timothy Brown Story - September 12, 2008 - UK
- Atheist arrested for harassing Christian - YouTube video
- Inside the Mind of a Killer
Sermons
- The Folly of Atheism by Rev. Maurice Roberts
Miscellaneous
- A suicidal atheist converts to Christ
- Atheist doctors are more likely to hasten death
- Children who front Richard Dawkins' atheist ads are evangelicals
- Melbourne Atheist: The Exterminator
- Essay: The question atheists fear
Recommended reading
General Works Relating to Atheism and/or Defense of Theism:
- Top 15 Evidences for God and Creation by Jason Browning
- Norman Geisler, (2004), I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, Crossway, ISBN 9781581345612
- Alister McGrath, (2004), The Twilight of Atheism: The Rise and Fall of Disbelief in the Modern World ISBN 0-385-50061-0
- Ravi Zacharias, (1994, 2004), A Shattered Visage: The Real Face of Atheism ISBN 0801065119
- Ravi Zacharias, (1994, 1996), Can Man Live Without God? ISBN 0849939437
- Josh McDowell and Don Stewart, (1982) Understanding Secular Religions, Here's Life Publishers, San Bernardino, California, ISBN 0-86605-093-0
- Vox Day, (2008),The Irrational Atheist, BenBella Books, Inc. ISBN 1933771364
Book on the New Atheism:
- R. Albert Mohler Jr., (2008), Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists, Crossway, ISBN 9781433504976
Atheism and history:
- Dimitry Pospielovsky, (December, 1987), A History of Marxist-Leninist Atheism and Soviet Antireligious Policies, Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 0312381328
- Dimitry Pospielovsky, (November, 1987), Soviet Antireligious Campaigns and Persecutions (History of Soviet Atheism in Theory and Practice and the Believers, Vol 2), Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 0312009054
- Dimitry Pospielovsky, (August, 1988), Soviet Studies on the Church and the Believer's Response to Atheism: A History of Soviet Atheism in Theory and Practice and the Believers, Vol 3, Palgrave Macmillan, hardcover: ISBN 0312012918, paperback edition: ISBN 0312012926
Notes
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Smart, J. J. C. (August 8, 2011). "Atheism and agnosticism". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Retrieved July 17, 2014.
- Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph.D. (23 June 2007). "Atheism is more rational?". Retrieved July 17, 2014. See Creation Ministries International, Jonathan Sarfati.
- Day, Donn R. (2007). "Atheism - etymology". Retrieved July 15, 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Multiple references:
- Batten, Dr. Don (December 1997). "A Who’s Who of evolutionists". Creation Ministries International. Originally published in Creation 20(1):32. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
- Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph.D., F.M. (1999). "Chapter 1: Facts and bias", Refuting Evolution. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
- ↑ Athenagoras (2nd century A.D.). A Plea for the Christians. Retrieved from earlychristianwritings.com Early Christian Writings, July 16, 2014.
- ↑ Plato, Apol., 26 c.
- ↑ Dr. Martin Luther King in his sermon Rediscovering Lost Values spoke of "practical atheism". King, Dr. Martin Luther (1954). "Rediscovering lost values". Retrieved from Globatron, July 16, 2014. Caution: Presumably copyrighted work in the U.S. until 2049 and in Canada until 2018. For fair educational use only.
- ↑ Rousseau, Jacques (July 13, 2011). "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can rip my soul". Daily Maverick [South Africa]. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ Forty Year Atheist, The (2007). "The reasoning atheist". Atheism Analyzed: The Reality Approach. Retrieved July 16, 2014
- ↑ "Board of directors" (July 1, 2014). American Atheists. Retrieved from Internet Archive, July 16, 2014.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Scott, Blair (December 1, 2012). "An open letter from Blair Scott". American Atheists. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ Harr, Ken and Lisle, Dr. Jason (August 9, 2007). "Chapter 1: Is there really a God?" The New Answers Book. Answers in Genesis. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Nazworth, Nap (July 11, 2012). "Study: atheists have lowest 'retention rate' compared to religious groups". christianpost.com. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Pearson, Christopher (May 9, 2009). "Defectors to faith mark a growing trend". from theaustralian.com. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (February 2011). "Faith in Flux" from Faith in Flux: Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U. S. PewResearchCenter. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ Harms, William (April 18, 2012). "Belief in God rises with age, even in atheist nations". UChicagoNews. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Multiple references:
- B., Geoff (August 9, 2007). "Christianity exploding in China". The Millennial Star. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- Robertson, Laura and Thomas, George (August 15, 2008). "Christianity growing in China" from cbn.com website. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ Smith, Craig S. (July 3, 2005). "A casualty on Romania's road back from atheism". From NYTimes.com. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Schwadel, Philip (2011). "The effects of education on Americans’ religious practices, beliefs, and affiliations" [abstract]. Review of Religious Research 53:2. DOI:10.1007/s13644-011-0007-4. "(2) [E]ducation positively affects religious participation, devotional activities, and emphasizing the importance of religion in daily life; (3) education positively affects switching religious affiliations, particularly to a mainline Protestant denomination, but not disaffiliation; (4) education is positively associated with questioning the role of religion in secular society but not with support for curbing the public opinions of religious leaders; and (5) the effects of education on religious beliefs and participation vary across religious traditions. Education does influence Americans’ religious beliefs and activities, but the effects of education on religion are complex." Abstract retrieved from link.springer.com, July 16, 2014.
- Jim Kavanagh (11 August 2011). "Study: more educated tend to be more religious, by some measures". CNN. “‘With more years of education, you aren’t relatively more likely to say, “I don’t believe in God,”’ he said. ‘But you are relatively more likely to say, “I believe in a higher power.”’” Retrieved July 17, 2014. See CNN.
- Daily Mail reporter (12 August 2011). "The more education people receive, the more religious they become?". Daily Mail. “By analyzing data from a large national survey, sociologist Philip Schwadel of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that people tend to become more religious—by certain definitions—as they further their education. The survey also qualified what concept of God or a 'higher power' individuals held, as well as whether they had any doubts. Mr Schwadel said that: 'With more years of education, you aren’t relatively more likely to say, "I don’t believe in God," but you are relatively more likely to say, "I believe in a higher power."'” Retrieved July 17, 2014. See Daily Mail.
- Winkler, Amanda (13 August 2011). "More is more when it comes to education and religion", study says. The Christian Post. “Sociologist Philip Schwadel from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) studied this phenomenon. He discovered that people today tend to become more religious as they further their education.” Retrieved July 17, 2014.
- ↑ Day, Vox (January 15, 2014). "Mailvox: the distribution of atheist intelligence". Vox Populi. Retrieved July 16, 2014. See Vox Day
- ↑ Taylor-Blake, Bonnie (September 24, 2006). "'There are no atheists in [the] foxholes'". Message posted to The American Dialect Society [Electronic] Mailing List, archived at ListServ 16.0. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ↑ More, Hannah (1815). An Essay on the Character and Practical Writings of St. Paul, 5th ed., vol. 2 (London: T. Cadell and W. Davies), p. 234. Retrieved from Internet Archive, July 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Milestones [excerpt]" (October 15, 1945). Time. Retrieved from Time magazine website, July 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Tells of religion in army. Chaplain Lawson says there are no atheists in front line" (November 25, 1918). New York Times, p. 13. Retrieved from nytimes.com on July 17, 2014.
- ↑ Breen, Tom (April 2, 2011)."Army group 'coming out of the atheist closet'" from NBCNews.com Retrieved July 17, 2014.
- ↑ Mulligan, Martin (1959). "Private property and communism" translation of Marx, Karl (1932), Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 (Moscow: Progress Publishers). Retrieved on July 17, 2014. Caution: Presumably copyrighted in the United States until 2054 and in the United Kingdom until 2029. For fair educational use only.
- ↑ Rothstein, Andrew and Issacs, Bernard (1973). "The attitude of the worker's party to religion" translation of Lenin, Vladimir (1909), Proletary, No. 45, May 13 (26), Collected Works, (Moscow: Progress Publishers) vol. 15, pp. 402-13. Retrieved on July 17, 2014. Caution: Presumably copyrighted in the United States until 2068. For fair educational use only.
- ↑ "Investigating atheism: Marxism". University of Cambridge (2008). Retrieved on July 17, 2014. “The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.”
- ↑ Vitalij Lazarʹevič Ginzburg (2009). On Superconductivity and Superfluidity: A Scientific Autobiography p. 161. Springer Science+Business Media. Retrieved on July 17, 2014. “The Bolshevik communists were not merely atheists but, according to Lenin's terminology, militant atheists.”
- ↑ Multiple references:
- James Adair (2007). Christianity: The eBook p. 461. JBE Online Books. Retrieved on July 18, 2014. “Although the Civil Constitution called for religious liberty, which was extended to Jews as well as Christians, many revolutionaries pushed for the establishment of a new state religion, either the Cult of Reason (atheists) or the Cult of the Supreme Being (Deists). Changes to the calendar eliminated references to Christian holidays, and even the ancient seven-day week, and a list of officially recognized saints included such famous thinkers such as Socrates, Jesus, Marcus Aurelius, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. A period of political persecution, often with religious overtones, broke out, known as the Reign of Terror. Thousands of people were executed by the guillotine, including many of the original leaders of the French Revolution.”
- William Belsham (1801). Memoirs of the Reign of George III. to the Session of Parliament ending A.D. 1793, Volume 5 pp. 105-6. G.G. & J. Robinson. Retrieved on July 18, 2014. “In allusion to the monstrous transactions of this portentous period, it has been eloquently and energetically observed, 'that the reign of atheism in France was avowed the reign of terror. In the full madness of their career, in the highest climax of their horrors, they shut up the temples of God, abolished His worship, and proclaimed death to be an eternal sleep:—in the very centre of Christendom, Revelation underwent a total eclipse, while atheism, performing on a darkened theatre its strange and fearful tragedy, confounded the first elements of society, blended every age, rank, and sex, indiscriminate proscription and massacre, and convulsed all Europe to its centre, that the imperishable memorial of these events might teach the last generations of mankind to consider religion as the pillar of society, the parent of social order, and the safe-guard of nations.'
"It is wonderful that, amid the horrors of this dismal period, while 'the death dance of democratic revolution' was still in rapid movement, among the tears of affliction, and the cries of despair, 'the masque, the song, the theatric scene, the buffoon laughter, went on as regularly as in the gay hour of festive peace.'” - William Kilpatrick (2012). Christianity, Islam, and Atheism: The Struggle for the Soul of the West p. 57. Ignatius Press. Retrieved on July 18, 2014. “Actually, it's helpful to think in terms of two Enlightenments: the Enlightenment that cut itself off from God. The former led to the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the abolition of slavery, and the civil rights movement. The latter led to the French Revolution, the Reign of Terror, the suppression of church by state, and the godless philosophies of Marx and Nietzsche and their offspring—National Socialism and communism. More recently the abandonment of God has led to the regime of cultural relativism that regards rights as arbitrary constructions.
"It's this second Enlightenment tradition that Cardinal Ratzinger referred to when he wrote, 'The radical detachment of the Enlightenment philosophy from its roots ultimately leads it to dispense with man.' Actually this transition happened not 'ultimately' but almost immediately. The first instance occurred when Enlightenment worship of abstract 'reason' and 'liberty' degenerated quickly into the mass murders committed during the antireligious Reign of Terror in France. 'Liberty, what crimes are committed in your name', said Madam Rolande as she faced the statue of Liberty in the Place de la Revolution movements before her death at the guillotine. She was one of the early victims of a succession of secular systems based on rootless notions of 'liberty', 'equality', and 'reason'.
"As many historians have pointed out, the atheist regimes of modern times are guilty of far more crimes than any committed in the name of religion. Communist governments alone were guilty of more than one hundred million murders, most of them committed against their own people.”
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Kent, Jo Ling (April 28, 2011). "Underground Christians fear China crackdown". CNN.com. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- Yakovlev, Alexander N. (2002). A Century of Violence in Soviet Russia translated by Austin, Anthony (New Haven: Yale University Press), p. 165. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- Braga, Fr. Roman. "On compromise in the hierarchy during the Communist yoke". Orthodox Christian Information Center. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- Clyne, Meghan (November 16, 2005). "Korean reds targeting Christians". The New York Sun. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- Siemon-Netto, Uwe (May 7, 2003). "North Korean and Chinese atrocities against Christians worsen". NewsMax. Retrieved from NorthKoreanChristians.com on July 18, 2014.
- "China sends Bible owners to labor camp" (November 26, 2003). WorldNetDaily. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- "China: Christians tortured while under arrest" (September 27, 2006). The World Now. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Ostling, Richard N. (December 4, 1989). "Cross meets Kremlin: Gorbachev and Pope John Paul II". Time. Retrieved from Time magazine website July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Moore, Rev. Fr. Raphael (October 1999). "In memory of the 50 million victims of the Orthodox Christian Holocaust", Spiritual Nourishment for the Soul, Serfes, Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios, compiler. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Humphrey (December 16, 2008). "Merry Anti-Christmas!" Quodlibeta. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Humphrey (December 16, 2008). "Merry Anti-Christmas!" Quodlibeta. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- Froese, Paul (March 2004). "Forced secularization in Soviet Russia: why an atheistic monopoly failed" [abstract]. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, vol. 43, 1, pp. 35-50. Abstract retrieved from Ingentaconnect on July 18, 2014.
- ↑ "The largest atheist/agnostic populations". Chris & Terri Chapman. Retrieved July 18, 2014. Countries with the largest atheist populations.
- ↑ "China sends Bible owners to labor camp" (November 26, 2003). WorldNetDaily. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ↑ "China: Christians tortured while under arrest" (September 27, 2006). The World Now. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Kyodo News (November 18, 2004). "Chinese internal document puts new squeeze on religion". Asian Economic News. Retrieved from Worldwide Religious News on July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Briggs, David (January 23, 2011). "Huffington Post: China’s state-sponsored atheism a failure" [excerpt]. National Post website. Excerpt retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Lee, Sunny (May 12, 2007). "God forbid, religion in North Korea?" Asia Times Online. Archived at Internet Archive on May 21, 2013. Retrieved on July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Clyne, Meghan (November 16, 2005). "Korean reds targeting Christians". The New York Sun. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- Siemon-Netto, Uwe (May 7, 2003). "North Korean and Chinese atrocities against Christians worsen". NewsMax. Retrieved from NorthKoreanChristians.com on July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- "The black book of communism". Review of The Black Book of Communism. Final Conflict [U. K.] website. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- "The Black Book of Communism". Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences website: Cold War Studies. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- Rummel, R. J. (November 1993). "How many did communist regimes murder?" University of Hawaii website; Freedom, Democracy, Peace; Power, Democide, and War. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- White, Matthew (February 2011). "Source list and detailed death tolls for the primary megadeaths of the twentieth century". Necrometrics. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- Radosh, Ronald (February 2000). "The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression". First Things [journal] website. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ↑ Rummel, R. J. (November 1993). "How many did communist regimes murder?" University of Hawaii website; Freedom, Democracy, Peace; Power, Democide, and War. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ↑ Oppy, Graham (July 15, 2011). "Ontological arguments". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ↑ Craig, William Lane (1991). "Introduction: the resurrection of theism". Truth: A Journal of Modern Thought, vols. 3 & 4. Retrieved from LeadershipU on July 19, 2014.
- ↑ Williams, Peter (Summer 2001). "Aesthetic arguments for the existence of God". Quodlibet Journal vol. 3:3. Retrieved from Quodlibet Journal website on July 19, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- "Shockofgod calls into atheist radio show - hilarious! Part 1" (November 26, 2009). YouTube video, 9:37, posted by MultiArchangel. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.
- "Shockofgod calls into atheist radio show. Hilarious! Part 2" (November 26, 2009). YouTube video, 8:31, posted by theshockawards. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.
- "The question that is causing atheists to abandon atheism" (August 6, 2010). YouTube video, 14:54, posted by shockofgod. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.
- ↑ "There is no proof and evidence that atheism is true: thus atheism is null and void" (January 13, 2012). YouTube video, 1:28, posted by shockofgod. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 Koukl, Gregory (February 20, 2013). "The real murderers: atheism or Christianity?" Stand to Reason. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ↑ Humber, Paul G., M.S. (1987). "Stalin's brutal faith". Acts & Facts. 16 (10). Retrieved from Institute for Creation Research on July 19, 2014.
- ↑ Mariano (June 11, 2009). "Atheism". Creation Ministries International. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 Multiple references:
- Burke, Daniel, Religion News Service (May 13, 2009). "Religious people make better citizens, study says". Pew Research Forum. Archived on March 10, 2013 by Internet Archive. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- Campbell, David and Putnam, Robert (November 14, 2010). "Religious people are 'better neighbors'". USA Today website. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Atheists and agnostics take aim at Christians" (June 11, 2007). Barna Update. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Practical outcomes replace biblical principles as the moral standard" (September 10, 2001). Barna Update. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.
- ↑ Myers, P. Z. (March 31, 2014). "When will this situation improve?" Pharyngula. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.
- ↑ Farr, A. D. (1980). "The Marquis de Sade and induced abortion". Journal of Medical Ethics, 6, pp. 7-10. Retrieved from Journal of Medical Ethics website on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Egnor, Michael (November 30, 2010). "P. Z. Myers on abortion". Evolution News and Views. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Katz, Neil (August 26, 2010). "Study: atheist doctors twice as likely to pull plug". CBSNews.com. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Foust, Michael (October 23, 2007). "Poll: Atheists less likely to 'do good'" Baptist Press. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Spiegel, James S., Dr. (January 28, 2010). "The causes of atheism". Apologetics.com. Archived at Internet Archive on May 6, 2013. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Russell, Bertrand (1947). "Am I an atheist or an agnostic?" www.luminary.us. Archived at Internet Archive on April 11, 2010. Retrieved on July 20, 2014. Caution: Presumably copyrighted in the U.S. until 2042 and in Canada until 2020. For fair educational use only. Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.
- ↑ Fernandes, Phil (May 25, 1997). "Refuting moral relativism". Institute of Biblical Defense. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Abbott, Matt C. (August 22, 2010). "The mind of a pederast". RenewAmerica. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Bronski, Michael (October 31, 2002). "The real Harry Hay". The Phoenix.com. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Kincaid, Cliff, Accuracy in Media (January 7, 2010). "Twisted: administration's 'safe schools czar' and the North American Man-Boy Love Association". WorldTribune.com. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Lord, Jeffrey (October 5, 2006). "Special report: when Nancy met Harry". The American Spectator website. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- Kincaid, Cliff, Accuracy in Media (January 7, 2010). "Twisted: administration's 'safe schools czar' and the North American Man-Boy Love Association". WorldTribune.com. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Baldwin, Hon. Steve (2002). "Child molestation and the homosexual movement". Regent University Law Review, vol. 14, pp. 267-282. Retrieved from The Architecture of Modern Political Power on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Delany, Samuel R. (2006). About Writing: Seven Essays, Four Letters, and Five Interviews (Middletown: Wesleyan), p. 36.
- "Introduction" (2001). Contemporary Literary Criticism, ed. Hunter, Jeffrey W., vol. 141 (Gale Cengage). Retrieved from eNotes.com on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Freedman, Carl (2009). Conversations with Samuel R. Delany (Jackson: Univ. Press of Mississippi), p. 143.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Smith, Justin (November 22, 2006). "The basis of a Christian worldview". Creation Ministries International. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- Sarfati, Jonathan (June 2, 2007). "CMI answers philosophy/religion professor on biblical exegesis and the problem of evil". Creation Ministries International. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ 69.0 69.1 Multiple references:
- Warden, Rick (August 10, 2012). "Atheist achilles heels: objective morality and sacred life". Templestream Blog. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- Myers, P. Z. (May 22, 2012). "The 'objective morality' gotcha" Pharyngula. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Smith, Justin (November 22, 2006). "The basis of a Christian worldview". Creation Ministries International. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- Sarfati, Jonathan (June 2, 2007). "CMI answers philosophy/religion professor on biblical exegesis and the problem of evil". Creation Ministries International. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- Carter, Joe (June 22, 2011). "The dangerous mind of Peter Singer". First Things. Retrieved on July 20, 2014. See First Things.
- ↑ Caputo, Michael (betw. 2008-11). "God, the Bible and bestiality". Militant Atheism Exposed. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Russell, Paul (February 11, 2013). "Hume on religion". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Lennox, John (2009). "The question of miracles: the contemporary influence of Hume". BeThinking. Retrieved on July 21, 2014.
- Craig, Dr. William Lane (1986). "The problem of miracles: a historical and philosophical perspective". Gospel Perspectives, vol 6, ed. by David Wenham and Craig Blomberg (Sheffield, England: JSOT Press), pp. 9-40. Retrieved from LeadershipU on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Lennox, John (2009). "The question of miracles: the contemporary influence of Hume". BeThinking. Retrieved on July 21, 2014.
- Craig, Dr. William Lane (1986). "The problem of miracles: a historical and philosophical perspective". Gospel Perspectives, vol 6, ed. by David Wenham and Craig Blomberg (Sheffield, England: JSOT Press), pp. 9-40. Retrieved from LeadershipU on July 20, 2014.
- Hoffman, Paul K. (Spring 1999). "A jurisprudential analysis of Hume’s ‘in principal’ argument against miracles" [excerpt]. Christian Apologetics Journal, 2:1, p. 2. Retrieved from Galaxie Software on July 21, 2014. Subscription required for full article.
- Geisler, Professor Norman (1985). "Miracles and modern scientific thought". Truth Journal, vol. 1. Retrieved from LeadershipU on July 21, 2014.
- Lewis, C. S. (1960). Miracles (New York: HarperCollins). Abstract retrieved from Google Books on July 20, 2014.
- Holding, J. P. "David Hume: a critique". Tekton Apologetics. Retrieved on July 21, 2014.
- Esposito, Lenny (2002). "Are miracles logically impossible?" Come Reason Ministries. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Hergenrather, John (2004). "Evidences for God from space: can laws of science explain the origin of the universe?" Creation Encounter. Retrieved on July 21, 2014.
- Thompson, Bert (2003). "So long, eternal universe; 'Hello beginning, hello end!'" Apologetics Press. Retrieved on July 21, 2014.
- Brown, Dr. Walt (2008). "Chapter 2: astronomical and physical sciences", p. 53. In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood, 8th ed. Retrieved on July 23, 2014 from The Center for Scientific Creation.
- ↑ http://www.icr.org/home/resources/resources_tracts_scientificcaseagainstevolution/
- ↑ http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/05/09/i-support-the-freedom-from-atheism-foundation/
- ↑ http://www.christianpost.com/news/freedom-from-religion-how-about-freedom-from-atheism-119389/
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Religious Involvement, Spirituality, and Medicine: Implications for Clinical Practice - Mayo Clinic
- Research on Spirituality, Theology and Health - Duke University
- McCullogh ME, Larson DB, Hoyt WT. et al. (2000). Religious involvement and mortality: a meta-analytic review. Health Psychology. 19, 3. 211-222
- The psycho-social benefits of religious practice by Ona Institute
- Religion, Self-Regulation, and Self-Control: Associations, Explanations, and Implications
- Research Shows Religion Plays A Major Role In Health, Longevity - Science Daily, 1999
- Religious Affiliation and Suicide Attempt - The American Journal of Psychiatry
- Psychology researcher says spiritual meaning of Christmas brings more happiness than materialism - Scienceblog and University of Warwick
- ↑ 80.0 80.1 Mueller, Dr. Paul S. et al. (December 2001). "Religious involvement, spirituality, and medicine: implications for clinical practice". Mayo Clinic Proceedings vol. 76:12, pp. 1225-1235. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Proceedings website on July 20, 2014.
- ↑ The psycho-social benefits of religious practice by Ona Institute
- ↑ McCullogh ME, Larson DB, Hoyt WT. et al. (2000). Religious involvement and mortality: a meta-analytic review. Health Psychology. 19, 3. 211-222
- ↑ http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/A/20037338.html
- ↑ http://www.dukespiritualityandhealth.org/
- ↑ http://www.dukespiritualityandhealth.org/about/
- ↑ http://www.dukespiritualityandhealth.org/publications/latest.html
- ↑
- ↑ 88.0 88.1 88.2 http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~ppp/top/top19
- ↑ http://www.acadc.org/page/page/2495014.htm
- ↑ http://www.acadc.org/page/page/2495014.htm
- ↑ [8]
- ↑ http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/5/75/abstract
- ↑ http://www.thebereancall.org/topic/psychology
- ↑ Multiple references:
- ↑ Nietzsche
- ↑ http://books.google.com/books?id=x4qDrNKVC5gC&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq=Ren%C3%A9+Girard+nietzsche+and+madness&source=bl&ots=DQFLJpqjJd&sig=mXNq_6J6_qTciP2vW-FHojwBn20&hl=en&ei=hv99Sp0Y2YG2B8Ogsf4B&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
- ↑ http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html
- ↑ Religious affiliation and suicide attempts - PubMed
- ↑ 99.0 99.1 99.2 NY Times, September 17, 1894, ATHEISM A CAUSE OF SUICIDE.; Dr. MacArthur Preaches on the Sin and Cowardice of Self-Destruction
- ↑ Religious affiliation and suicide attempts - PubMed
- ↑ http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx
- ↑ http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx
- ↑ 103.0 103.1 103.2 Strength of Religious Faith of Athletes and Nonathletes at Two NCAA Division III Institutions
- ↑ Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God, The Daily Telegraph, May 14, 2011
- ↑ Dimensions of the Sacred, page 2
- ↑ "Atheism vs Religion", Daniel Smartt
- ↑ Atheism: A religion
- ↑ Atheism
- ↑
- In the Bible belt offering atheists a spiritual home - NY Times, 6/24/2013
- [Bizarre Trend: Atheist Sunday Morning ‘Worship’ Services Are on the Rise (Minus God, of Course)]
- London's First Atheist Church Opens Tomorrow
- ↑ http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion
- ↑ http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/Kitzmiller%27s_error_summary.pdf
- ↑ http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/Kitzmiller%27s_Error.pdf
- ↑ The effects of the Question Evolution! Campaign will be devastating to evolutionary belief and atheism
- ↑ Ruse, M., How evolution became a religion: creationists correct? National Post, pp. B1,B3,B7 May 13, 2000.
- ↑ 15 questions for evolutionists
- ↑ Women More Religious Than Men
- ↑ http://www.livescience.com/culture/090227-religion-men-women.html
- ↑ Sex differences in global atheism, part N
- ↑ Women More Religious Than Men
- ↑ http://www.livescience.com/culture/090227-religion-men-women.html
- ↑ http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2011/01/atheists-diversity-woes-have-n.php
- ↑ http://creation.com/atheism
- ↑ http://creation.com/atheism
- ↑ The “objective morality” gotcha
- ↑ in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency
- ↑ in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency
- ↑ Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
- ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?
- ↑ Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series
- ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- ↑
- Study: World is becoming more religious
- Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents
- Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
- Gordon-Conwell Seminary - Status of Global Mission, 2014, in the Context of AD 1800–2025
- ↑ http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]
- ↑ Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents
- ↑ Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Status of Global Missions
- ↑
- Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
- Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?
- Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series
- Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- ↑ Shall the religious inherit the earth
- ↑ 3 Reasons America May Become More Religious
- ↑ 10 reasons why biblical Christianity will flood the UK in the 21st century
- ↑ Miracles seen in China revival Published on 20th January 2008
- ↑ Revival, Miracles in China during Bible Deliveries, Teresa Neumann : Nov 28, 2012 : Staff – Mission Network News
- ↑ Jesus in the Rice Fields: China's Countryside Revival By George Thomas, CBN News Sr. Reporter, Friday, August 09, 2013
- ↑ China Cry: A True Story (1990)
- ↑ Publisher's Weekly Review of The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics by Peter L. Berger
- ↑ Kirkus Reviews- FIRE FROM HEAVEN: Pentecostalism, Spirituality, and the Reshaping of Religion in the Twenty-First Century by Harvey Cox
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16beliefs.html
- ↑ http://www.quantcast.com/richarddawkins.net#demographics
- ↑ http://www.quantcast.com/samharris.org
- ↑ http://creation.com/ota-benga-the-pygmy-put-on-display-in-a-zoo
- ↑ Multiple references:
- http://www.creation.com/content/view/1877
- Barrett, Paul H. Darwin on Man 1974:276
- American Scientist May 1977:323
- ↑ http://www.aim.org/wls/90/
- ↑ Charles Darwini, The Descent of Man, chapter VI - quoted by Creation Ministries International
- ↑ http://creation.com/ota-benga-the-pygmy-put-on-display-in-a-zoo
- ↑ http://creation.com/obama-racism-row
- ↑ http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/social.html
- ↑ Contemporary voices of white nationalism in America. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved on 2011–03–27. “World Church of the Creator, an organization that espouses an atheistic and white supremacist religious philosophy known as Creativity.”
- ↑ 156.0 156.1 156.2 The new white nationalism in America: its challenge to integration. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved on 2011–03–27. “For instance, Ben Klassen, founder of the atheistic World Church of the Creator and the author of The White Man's Bible, discusses Christianity extensively in his writings and denounces religion that has brought untold horror into the world and divided the white race.”
- ↑ The World's Religions: Continuities and Transformations. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved on 2011–03–27. “A competing atheistic or panthestic white racist movement also appeared, which included the Church of the Creator/ Creativity (Gardell 2003: 129–134).”
- ↑ Ludwig Feuerbach. The Essence of Christianity. John Chapman. Retrieved on 2011–03–27. “Christ loved men: he wished to bless and unite them all without distinction of sex, age, rank or nationality. Christ is the love of mankind to itself embodied in an image–in accordance with the nature of religion as we have developed it–or contemplated as a person, but a person who (we mean, of course, as a religious object) has only the significance of an image, who is only ideal. For this reason love is pronounced to be the characteristic mark of the disciples.”
- ↑ 159.0 159.1
- http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1877
- Barrett, Paul H. Darwin on Man 1974:276
- American Scientist May 1977:323
- ↑ 160.0 160.1 160.2 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C03EFDD123EE033A2575AC0A9659C946697D6CF
- ↑ "Another Evolution Fraud Exposed" - Creationism.org, INVESTIGATING GENESIS SERIES.
- ↑ http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=1180
- ↑ http://www.discovery.org/articleFiles/PDFs/survivalOfTheFakest.pdf
- ↑ http://www.discovery.org/articleFiles/PDFs/survivalOfTheFakest.pdf
- ↑ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html
- ↑ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html
- ↑ http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/breaking2453432.91875.html
- ↑ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/march/21.36.html
- ↑ http://www.s8int.com/Godless.html
- ↑ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/march/21.36.html
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTxORumTarg
- ↑ http://www.ldolphin.org/bumbulis/#anchor5343749
- ↑ 173.0 173.1 Williams, Alex,The biblical origins of science, Journal of Creation 18(2):49–52, August 2004.
- ↑ Bacon, Francis, Of Atheism
- ↑ Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig Is Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers
- ↑ Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html
- ↑ Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God, The Daily Telegraph, May 14, 2011
- ↑ http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown
- ↑ http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown
- ↑ Edgell, Gerteis & Hartmann 2006
- ↑ Interview with an atheist
- ↑ Interview with an atheist
- ↑ Study: Atheists distrusted as much as rapists
- ↑ Dissent.org
- ↑ http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2006-11-21
- ↑ American Faith: A Work In Progress by Stephen Prothero, USA Today, March 10, 2008, page 11A
- ↑ Theistic critiques of atheism by William Lane Craig
- ↑ http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=18837
- ↑ http://defendingcontending.com/2009/01/01/debate-walter-martin-vs-madalyn-murray-ohair/
- ↑ http://defendingcontending.com/2009/01/01/debate-walter-martin-vs-madalyn-murray-ohair/
- ↑ http://defendingcontending.com/2009/01/01/debate-walter-martin-vs-madalyn-murray-ohair/
- ↑ http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm
- ↑ http://www.trivia-library.com/a/biography-of-famous-atheist-marquis-de-sade.htm