Atheism and cowardice

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Richard Dawkins
The Oxford University Professor Daniel Came wrote to the New Atheist Richard Dawkins:: "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."[1]

As far as Christianity vs. atheism public debates, in recent years there have been a number of notable instances of atheists doing poorly in debates (see: Atheism vs. Christianity debates).

Beginning in the latter part of the 20th century, as can be seen below, there were a number of notable instances of prominent atheists being reluctant/afraid to debate.[2]

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.[1]

In The Daily Telegraph article Dr. Daniel Came, 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."[1]

The atheist Sam Harris quipped about William Lane Craig that he was "The one Christian apologist who seems to have put the fear of God into many of my fellow atheists".[3][4]

In addition, the new atheist Richard Dawkins flip-flops between being an agnostic and an atheist as far as his public persona - especially when he is asked to defend atheism in an assertive way (see: Richard Dawkins and agnosticism).

Contents

Brain study: Religious belief vs. non-belief - Anxiety/stress reduction

Believing in God can help block anxiety and minimize stress, according to new University of Toronto research that shows distinct brain differences between believers and non-believers.[5] See: Atheism and anxiety and Atheism and the brain

See also: Religious belief vs. non-belief - Anxiety/stress reduction and Atheism and the brain and Atheism and emotional problems

According to the leading science news website Phys.org:

Believing in God can help block anxiety and minimize stress, according to new University of Toronto research that shows distinct brain differences between believers and non-believers.

In two studies led by Assistant Psychology Professor Michael Inzlicht, participants performed a Stroop task - a well-known test of cognitive control - while hooked up to electrodes that measured their brain activity.[6]

Atheism and anxiety

Atheism and death anxiety: Additional information

According to a study performed in the United States by researchers Wink and Scott, very religious people fear death the least.[7]

See also: Atheism and death and Atheism and death anxiety

As noted above, on April 2, 2012, Science Daily reported that Death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God.[8] In a 2012 Psychology Today article, Dr. Nathan A. Heflick reported similar results in other studies.[9]

A United States study indicated that very religious people fear death the least

According to a study performed in the United States by researchers Wink and Scott, it was found that very religious people feared death the least.[10][11] In addition, the researcher Wen found that the more religious you are, the less you will fear death.[12]

King Solomon declared in the Book Of Proverbs: "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1).

The Apostle Paul wrote: ""O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55-56).

Irreligion's effect on death anxiety

The Bible teaches that "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12). Furthermore, the Bible teaches "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5). Also, Scripture teaches that The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10). 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) See: Atheism and arrogance and Atheism and morality and Atheism and moral intelligence

Wink and Scott study: Irreligious and death anxiety

According to the researchers Wink and Scott, the irreligious fear death more than the very religious, but fear it less than the lukewarm/moderately religious. Atheists lack the God given courage of Christians with a strong faith, but many are too foolish and arrogant to have enough sense to fear hell. See: Atheism and arrogance and Atheism and moral intelligence

Religious conservatives and mental toughness

See also: Atheism and mental toughness

Religious people tend to be more conservative.[13]

According to the journal article about the brain differences between political conservatives, liberals and moderates entitled Functional connectivity signatures of political ideology which was published in PNAS Nexus, "conservatives tend to be more resilient and have better self-control".[14]

For more information, please see: Atheism and mental toughness

Atheist community is lacking in confidence

See also: Atheist movement and Atheists and the endurance of religion

In 2010, the agnostic professor Eric Kaufmann, who specializes in religion/irreligion/demographics/politics, wrote: "Worldwide, the march of religion can probably only be reversed by a renewed, self-aware secularism. Today, it appears exhausted and lacking in confidence... Secularism's greatest triumphs owe less to science than to popular social movements like nationalism, socialism and 1960s anarchist-liberalism. Ironically, secularism's demographic deficit means that it will probably only succeed in the twenty-first century if it can create a secular form of 'religious' enthusiasm."[15]

The atheist movement saw a number of setbacks during the latter portion of the 20th century and beyond. As a result, it has lost a considerable amount of confidence (See: Morale of the atheist movement and Atheists and the endurance of religion). As a result of the 2011 Elevatorgate controversy, division is widespread within the atheist movement and numerous atheists have declared that the "atheist movement is dead" or that it is dying (see: Decline of the atheist movement)[16] See also: Decline of the atheist movement and Atheist factions

Furthermore, some of the most prominent atheists/agnostics have flip-flopped between atheism and agnosticism/theism (see: Atheism, agnosticism and flip-flopping).

For more information, please see: Rebuttals to atheist arguments

Atheist fear of conservative Christians

The atheist Sam Harris quipped about William Lane Craig that he was "The one Christian apologist who seems to have put the fear of God into many of my fellow atheists".[17][18]

See also: Atheist fear of conservative Christians

According to a Baylor University study, when it comes to various individuals who hold various religions/worldviews, atheists/nonreligious have the greatest fear when it comes to a fear that conservative, Protestant Christians will limit their freedom or cause them physical harm.[19] Atheists/nonreligious fear Muslims the second most when it comes to a fear they will limit their freedom or cause them physical harm.[20] See also: Atheism vs. Christianity and Atheism vs. Islam

According to 2013 FBI statistics, 6/10 of a percent of hate crimes were against atheists/agnostics.[21][22]

Prominent atheists being afraid/reluctant to debate conservative Christians

Atheist controlled, mainland China admits its men have become too feminine. China promotes education drive to make boys more 'manly'. Chinese official states Chinese men have become "weak" and "timid"

See also: Atheism and China and Asian atheism

China has the world's largest atheist population and practices state atheism.[23][24] China has one of the highest rates of atheism in the world.[25][26]

In 2021, the BBC reported that the mainland Chinese government indicated that its men have become too feminine.[27] As a result, China promotes education drive to make boys more 'manly'.[28]

The BBC article also stated: "Last May, a delegate of China's top advisory body, Si Zefu, said that many of China's young males had become 'weak, timid, and self-abasing.'"[29]

Richard Dawkins

See also: Richard Dawkins and debate and Atheism debates and Evidence for Christianity

Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins declared "Christianity may actually be our best defence against aberrant forms of religion that threaten the world".[30][31] See also: Richard Dawkins and Islam

Richard Dawkins is a new atheist.

Richard Dawkins has established a reputation for avoiding debates with his strongest 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.[1]

As noted above, in The Daily Telegraph article Dr. Daniel Came, 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."[1]

In October 2011, Dr. Craig went to England and the Daily Telegraph declared that Dawkins is either a fool or a coward for his refusal to debate William Lane Craig plus declared that Dawkins is a "proud man" and a "coward" who puts on an "illiterate, angry schtick" for the public.[32] In addition, Christian apologist Ken Ammi called Dawkins a "cowardly clown" because Dawkins and other prominent atheists refused to debate Creation Ministries International at the 2010 Global Atheist Convention.[33]

As far as Dawkins and his comfort level around professional philosophers, the atheist philosopher Massimo Pigliucci wrote:

Interestingly, over lunch during one of those days, I experienced Dawkins in what is a rather uncharacteristically humble mood: he confided at our table that he felt a bit intimidated, being surrounded by so many professional philosophers (he wasn’t talking about me, I assure you, but more likely of Dan Dennett and Alex Rosenberg, among others). It was interesting to see that rather unexpected (from his public appearances) side of him.[34]

Below are some resources relating to Dawkins refusal to debate various debate opponents:

In addition, respected biochemist and intelligent design researcher Dr Michael Behe has openly challenged prominent evolutionists and proponents of Darwinism to debate him regarding the many failings of evolutionism, yet Richard Dawkins - one of the most outspoken Darwinists today - has declined all such invitations. Dawkins has also refused to debate prominent creationist and evangelist Ray Comfort.

Richard Dawkins' former fear of criticizing Islam

On February 24, 2013, the Jewish Chronicle Online wrote:

In a recent Al-Jazeerah interview, Richard Dawkins was asked his views on God. He argued that the god of "the Old Testament" is "hideous" and "a monster", and reiterated his claim from The God Delusion that the God of the Torah is the most unpleasant character "in fiction". Asked if he thought the same of the God of the Koran, Dawkins ducked the question, saying: "Well, um, the God of the Koran I don't know so much about."

How can it be that the world's most fearless atheist, celebrated for his strident opinions on the Christian and Jewish Gods, could profess to know so little about the God of the Koran? Has he not had the time? Or is Professor Dawkins simply demonstrating that most crucial trait of his species: survival instinct.[35]

In recent times, Richard Dawkins is an outspoken critic of Islam (see: Richard Dawkins and Islam).

2010 Global Atheist Convention

See also: Atheist conferences

In 2010, the prominent atheists who attended the 2010 global atheist conference, which included Richard Dawkins, were challenged to a debate by Creation Ministries International.[36] Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers and other prominent atheists/agnostics refused to debate the creation scientists at Creation Ministries International.[36] Generally speaking, creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates (see: Creation vs. evolution debates).

PZ Myers also refuses to debate Vox Day on the existence of God or concerning evolution [37]

British Humanist Association

Sam Harris once described William Lane Craig as “the one Christian apologist who has put the fear of God into many of my fellow atheists”.[38]

See also: Atheism and Debate

In August 19, 2011, Fox News reported:

American Evangelical theologian William Lane Craig is ready to debate the rationality of faith during his U.K tour this fall, but it appears that some atheist philosophers are running shy of the challenge.

This month president of the British Humanist Association, Polly Toynbee, pulled out of an agreed debate at London’s Westminster Central Hall in October, saying she “hadn’t realized the nature of Mr. Lane Craig’s debating style.”

Lane Craig, who is a professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, Calif., and author of 30 books and hundreds of scholarly articles, is no stranger to the art of debate and has taken on some of the great orators, such as famous atheists Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris. Harris once described Craig as “the one Christian apologist who has put the fear of God into many of my fellow atheists”.

Responding to Toynbee’s cancellation, Lane Craig commented: "These folks (atheists) can be very brave when they are alone at the podium and there's no one there to challenge them. But one of the great things about these debates is that, it allows both sides to be heard on a level playing field, and for the students in the audience to make up their own minds about where they think the truth lies."[38]

On August 19, 2011, the leading British Anglican weekly newspaper the Church Times wrote:

The director of Professor Craig’s tour, Peter May, said: “If Craig is ‘wrong about everything else in the universe’ and his arguments for the existence of God are so easy to refute, it is hard to see why the leading atheist voices in the country are running shy of having a debate with him.

“Rather than hurling ad hom­inem attacks on Craig from their bunkers, it would be good to see these figures come forward to rationally defend the atheism they publicly espouse.”[39]

Cowardly, irreligious British fail to stand up to Muslim groomer gangs

See: Irreligious British fail to stand up to Muslim groomer gangs

Dr. Michael Martin backing out of his scheduled debate with Dr. Greg Bahnsen

See also: Greg Bahnsen and debate and Greg Bahnsen vs. Gordon Stein debate

Dr. Greg Bahnsen became known as "the man atheists fear most" due to Michael Martin's cancellation of their scheduled debate.[40][41]

In 1985, Christian apologist Dr. Greg Bahnsen and prominent proponent of atheism Gordon Stein had a debate at the University of California, Irvine regarding the positions of atheism and theism.

John Frame wrote regarding the debate in which Dr. Bahnsen used the transcendental argument for the existence of God that "In the end, Stein walked and talked like a broken man."[42] The Greg Bahnsen-Gordon Stein debate was recorded and transcribed and was dubbed "The Great Debate".[43] See also: Greg Bahnsen and debate

Greg Bahnsen and Michael Martin

See also: Greg Bahnsen and debate and Bahnson-Martin debate press release

Dr. Greg Bahnsen became known as the "man atheists fear most".[44] This is because Harvard-educated Dr. Michael Martin was scheduled to debate Bahnsen in 1994 but pulled out of the debate at the "eleventh hour" according to a press release at the time.[41][45] The press release at the time said that Dr. Martin offered ruses on why he pulled out and didn't want the scheduled debate recorded but the real reason was that "...Michael Martin is afraid that he will be publicly humiliated just as his friend and fellow atheist, Dr. Gordon Stein, was...".

Martin later released his transcendental argument for the non-existence of God (TANG) in 1996 which was rebutted by Christian apologists.[46]

Martin released his TANG argument to the public after Bahnsen died.

For more information please see:

Michael Martin on the state of atheist apologetics

In 1990, Michael Martin indicated there was a general absence of an atheistic response to contemporary work in the philosophy of religion and in jest he indicated that it was his "cross to bear" to respond to theistic arguments.[47]

Today, there is a growth of Christian apologetics in the world, while the atheist apologetic community is in a state of stagnation. See: Growth of Christian apologetics

Closet atheism

See also: Closet atheist

Many Christian are bold about letting others know about their faith even in areas of the world where Christians are in the minority and face potential persecution. On the other hand, even in countries where hate crimes against atheists are rare many atheists are fearful of letting others know about their atheism (see also: Closet atheist).

PZ Myers refusal to debate Vox Day

See also: Atheism and Debate

On September 4, 2011, Vox Day wrote concerning the evolutionist and atheist PZ Myers:

I have heard from numerous atheists who find his intellectual cowardice to be more than a little troubling given his usual tendency to create conflict rather than to avoid it. And he has handed an out to every single individual he ever hopes to challenge in the future. Why should they debate a nobody like him, a clown who isn't even a bigshot in his own field?

As for the PZ Myers Memorial Debate, we are still in search of an atheist to champion the argument that the logic and evidence for the nonexistence of gods is stronger than the logic and evidence for the existence of gods. It is certainly informative to see how many atheists do not appear to believe they are able to effectively make this case; in light of this, many Christians may find this to be a useful tactical approach when confronted by aggressive atheists in the future. This tends to confirm my previous observations that while atheists like to challenge the beliefs of others, they are very ill-prepared, and in many cases downright unwilling, to defend their own. So, if you want to shut them up, simply go on the attack. They'll run away with alacrity.

When the criticism of my WND columns on Pharyngula was first brought to my attention, I referred to Paul Zachary as Pharyngurl because I genuinely thought he was a woman on the basis of the arguments he was presenting. Years later, it is highly amusing indeed to see that he still runs like a girl. [48]

On August 28, 2011, Vox Day declared concerning Myers:

What you clearly do not understand is that, by his own admission, PZ relies heavily upon emotional arguments rather than logical ones when he cannot simply appeal to an established scientific consensus. "I'll also cop to the obvious fact that, knowing that reason will not get through their skills, I'm happy to use emotional arguments as well. Passion is persuasive." His tendency to rely upon emotional rhetoric and passion rather than reason is precisely why he is afraid to debate people who rely primarily upon logic, because his ability to present reason-based arguments is relatively low. His ability to utilize reason is simply not equal to the skill of others who make use of it more effectively. PZ is without question an effective preacher to the godless choir of science fetishists, but he is remarkably unskilled at presenting convincing arguments, let alone conclusive ones, to those who do not already agree with him. Unlike you, he knows he is not an effective evangelist.[49]

Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates

See also: Creation vs. evolution debates and Atheism and Debate

Since World War II a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists.[50] In 2007, "Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture...announced that over 700 scientists from around the world have now signed a statement expressing their skepticism about the contemporary theory of Darwinian evolution."[51]

Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates and many have been held since the 1970s particularly in the United States (Creation vs. evolution debates). Given the lack of evidence for the evolutionary paradigm and the abundant evidence for biblical creation, this is not surprising.

In August 1979, Dr. Henry Morris reported in an Institute for Creation Research letter the following: “By now, practically every leading evolutionary scientist in this country has declined one or more invitations to a scientific debate on creation/evolution."[52] Morris also said regarding the creation scientist Duane Gish (who had over 300 formal debates): “At least in our judgment and that of most in the audiences, he always wins.”[53]

Generally speaking, leading evolutionists no longer debate creation scientists because creation scientists tend to win the debates.[54] In addition, the atheist and evolutionist Richard Dawkins has shown inconsistent and deceptive behavior concerning his refusal creation scientists. Evolutionists and atheists inconsistency concerning debating creationists was commented on by the Christian apologetic website True Free Thinker which declared: "Interestingly enough, having noted that since some atheists refuse to debate “creationists” but then go on to debate some of those people but not others, it is clear that they are, in reality, being selective and making excuses for absconding from difficulties..."[55]
Richard Dawkins
The atheist and evolutionist Richard Dawkins has shown inconsistent and deceptive behavior concerning his refusal creation scientists.

In an article entitled Are Kansas Evolutionists Afraid of a Fair Debate? the Discovery Institute declares:

Defenders of Darwin's theory of evolution typically proclaim that evidence for their theory is simply overwhelming. If they really believe that, you would think they would jump at a chance to publicly explain some of that overwhelming evidence to the public. Apparently not.[56]

In 1994, the arch-evolutionist Dr. Eugenie Scott made this confession concerning creation vs. evolution debates:

During the last six or eight months, I have received more calls about debates between creationists and evolutionists than I have encountered for a couple of years, it seems. I do not know what has inspired this latest outbreak, but I am not sure it is doing much to improve science education.

Why do I say this? Sure, there are examples of "good" debates where a well-prepared evolution supporter got the best of a creationist, but I can tell you after many years in this business that they are few and far between. Most of the time a well-meaning evolutionist accepts a debate challenge (usually "to defend good science" or for some other worthy goal), reads a bunch of creationist literature, makes up a lecture explaining Darwinian gradualism, and can't figure out why at the end of the debate so many individuals are clustered around his opponent, congratulating him on having done such a good job of routing evolution -- and why his friends are too busy to go out for a beer after the debate.[57]

New Atheists and Islamophobia accusations

See also: Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations and Atheism vs. Islam

Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins is dismissive of the concept of Islamophobia and declared: "I’m always being accused of Islamophobia, that’s a non-word."[58]

The New Atheists Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and the late Christopher Hitchens have received multiple accusations of engaging in Islamophobic behavior.[59] Dawkins is dismissive of the concept of Islamophobia and declared: "I’m always being accused of Islamophobia, that’s a non-word."[58]

Salon declared in an article entitled Richard Dawkins does it again: New Atheism’s Islamophobia problem:

When it comes to making claims about religions, especially Islam, Dawkins is quick to grab the biggest brush he can find and paint “the Muslims,” or “Muslims,” or even “Islam” with one broad stroke.

“I think Islam is the greatest force for evil in the world today. I’ve said so, often and loudly. What are you talking about?” he Tweeted to one follower in March.

The greatest force for evil? How is that even quantifiable and what constitutes evil? For a scientist, Dawkins rarely provides any qualification, context or evidence for his hypotheses. He doesn’t often give names or reveal identities that could help us better understand exactly whom it is that he targets. But that’s beside the point because to Dawkins, they are just “Muslims,” not fathers, sons, daughters, mothers, bankers, lawyers or doctors. They’re not informed by any other identity that makes them complex human beings; it’s “Islam” that always animates these faceless people.[60]

The Guardian's article Richard Dawkins, 'Islamophobia' and the atheist movement declared:

Meanwhile, Dawkins – a man for whom Twitter does not seem to be a good medium – has taken to spouting the sort of rhetoric that wouldn't seem out of place at a BNP meeting. I'll be charitable, and suggest that his swiftly-deleted retweet of a link to a website that exposes the 'secret Islamist infiltration of the Obama administration' was a slip of the mouse. I'll also leave to one side his bizarre vendetta against Mehdi Hasan, whose platform at New Statesman seems to be a source of great offense to the atheist.[61]

On the other hand, defenders of atheist criticisms of Islam/Muslims indicated that New Atheists should be able to criticize Islam without being accused of Islamophobia.[62]

Atheist Penn Jillette's ducking debates with Christians

See also: Shockofgod's debate challenge to atheist Penn Jillette

Refusal to debate popular YouTube video creator Shockofgod

Logo for the Shockofgod YouTube channel

The Brights Movement was started in 2003 by Paul Geisert and Mynga Futrell in 2003 in order to assist in the advocacy of a naturalistic worldview.[63][64] The Brights movement had a media campaign and was announced in Wired magazine (by Richard Dawkins), Free Inquiry (by Richard Dawkins), and on the New York Times op-ed page (by the philosopher and atheist Daniel Dennett).

Well known skeptics and atheists are listed as "Enthusiastic Brights" at the Brights Movement website.[65] Examples of individuals listed as Brights are notable skeptics/atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Penn Jillette, Daniel Dennett, Margaret Downy, James Randi, Mel Lipman, Bobbie Kirkhart, Herb Silverman, Michael Shermer, Matt Cherry, and Babu Gogineni.[65]

On September 26, 2011, the popular Christian YouTube video maker Shockofgod, who has over 18,000 subscribers, challenged atheist Penn Jillette to a debate.VIDEO. The debate challenge focuses on the 15 questions that evolutionists cannot satisfactorily answer.

On September 3, 2012, Shockofgod challenged Jillette to debate the question "Does God exist?" a second time.[66]

Shockofgod points out that although Penn Jillette is an "enthusiastic bright", the website of the Brights Movement has plunging web traffic according to Compete.com.[67] Shockofgod quipped that it appears as if his prediction that atheism will go from "a squeak to half a squeak in American society" due to the Question evolution! campaign is being fullfilled faster than he expected. The video with the prediction is located on YouTube HERE.

Shockofgod fans taunt to Penn Jillette

Penn Jillette has been contacted about the debate challenge via Twitter, YouTube and email.

Shockofgod fan: "He's watching. trust me. Most Atheists are obsessed with the TRUTH, they just don't like it."[1]

Shockofgod fan: "Come on Penn, you even WANT people to debate because our opinions on the existence of God are too important to keep private!"[2]

Debate challenge from Christian apologist Sye Ten Bruggencate

See also: Sye Ten Bruggencate's debate challenge to atheist Penn Jillette

The Christian apologetist Ken Ammi in an article entitled Will atheist Penn Jillette debate Christian Sye Ten Bruggencate? wrote:

Sye Ten Bruggencate, of the website Proof That God Exists, has challenged Penn Jillette to a Christian versus atheist debate on God’s existence.
The Christian apologist Sye Ten Bruggencate has challenged Penn Jillette to a debate and Jillette has not accepted his debate challenge.

Penn Jillette is not merely a Las Vegas legend, as an illusionist, but also adheres to (and proselytizes for) the positive affirmation of God’s non-existence sect of atheism having stated, “I know there’s no God,” for example.

One would think that an illusionist who has made a name and a career intelligently designing shows that have dazzled audiences for decades would know that life, the universe and everything do not just happen. Yet, rebellion knows no boundaries and every atheist concocts consoling delusions—or, consoling illusions.

You may recall Sye from a previous article, Atheism’s debategate: on the Sye Ten Bruggencate vs. Justin Schieber debate and you may be aware that on occasion Penn Jillette has some positive things to say about Christians (such as in Penn Jillette Lays it Down). However, just as often he uses compliments as an open door to challenge Christians, in a good way, yet the goal is always the same: open the door just enough to squeeze in and preach the pseudo-gospel of atheism.

We will just to just wait and see how Penn Jillette responds, for now let us spread the word about this challenge. [68]

After refusing to debate the Christian apologist Sye Ten Bruggencate, Penn Jillette said, “I’m not trained in debate. It’s turning conversation into competition."[69]

Theodore Beale on secular leftists reluctance to debate and on their historical revisionism

Voroshilov, Molotov, Stalin, with Nikolai Yezhov.jpg
Nikolai Yezhov walking with Joseph Stalin in the top photo taken in the mid 1930s. Subsequent to his execution in 1940, Yezhov was edited out of the photo by Soviet Union censors.[70]

Theodore Beale wrote about secular leftists and leftists in general:

Regardless of whether it is...Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers, or the vast and corpulent mass of feminists, the Left has an observable tendency to shun debate. They assert many different reasons for doing so, but the truth is always revealed by their seemingly contradictory willingness to debate the incompetent and the overmatched....

One of the things that has been interesting to observe over time is the way that the heated attacks on me, both in public and via email, have all but disappeared even though my overall readership has never been larger. Why is this? My theory is this is because most of my critics, be they atheists, feminists, evolutionists, or free traders, have learned they simply cannot win in a direct confrontation. They can't openly criticize my ideas because they have learned, much to their surprise, that they cannot adequately defend their own.

As Aristotle pointed out more than two thousand years ago, even at the rhetorical level, the side more closely approximates the truth will tend to win out, because it is easier to argue when your arguments are based on truth rather than falsehood. Events will always ultimately prove the arguments of the global warmers, the godless, the female supremacists, the socialists, the Keynesians, and the monetarists to be false because their ideas are false. This is why a good memory is one of the most lethal weapons against them and why it is so easy to win debates against them, as given enough time, they are going to contradict themselves.

Why? Because they have no choice. Being false, their positions have to be dynamic, which means they can never hope for any significant degree of consistency. This is why ex post facto revision and double-talk are the hallmarks of the Left, and is why the first thing Leftists do when they are in a position of power is to erase history and attempt to silence any voices capable of calling attention to their fictions and contradictions.[71]

See also: Atheism and historical revisionism

RationalWiki's cowardly refusal to debate Conservapedian User: Conservative

See: RationalWiki's cowardly refusal to debate Conservapedian User: Conservative

Reddit atheists and cowardice

See also: Reddit atheism

In May 2013, Policymic published an article on Reddit atheism entitled Reddit Users: Why Atheist Redditors Are Stuck On the Internet which declared that Reddit atheists are reluctant to proclaim their atheism offline.[72]

The Policymic article declared:

Are we to make cowards out of Reddit’s atheists for the discrepancy between the prevalence of real life and internet proclamations of godlessness? Maybe, as the world’s loudest atheist, Richard Dawkins, first bemoaned in his TED talk, “Atheists do not want to be impolite … Can we stop being so damned polite?” Or, as R/atheist stalwart with the username “blackstar9000” explained in a very thoughtful post on the state of the atheist subreddit, “Many of the users are just recently converted, who fear being ostracized by people the religious people who make up their support system.”[72]

Beginning in the 1970s and accelerating in 2011 and beyond, atheism, agnosticism and Darwinism have developed a reputation of cowardice. See: and Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates and Instances of Richard Dawkins ducking debates

Atheist author terrified about the future growth of pentecostal Christianity

See also: Growth of religious fundamentalism and Growth of evangelical Christianity

The atheist author and advocate David Madison, PhD wrote in March of 2019: "I remain haunted—and terrified—by what I read on a Christian website, not long after the turn of this century: that by 2025, there will be one billion (yes, that’s with a “b”) Pentecostals in the world."[73]

British irreligion, libertinism, undisciplined behavior, lack of mental toughness and cowardice

Administrator of RationalWiki calls its editors "pearl clutching pansies"

On May 23, 2020, an administrator of the atheist/agnostic website RationalWiki who goes by the username Ace McWicked, admitted that its editors are a "bunch of pearl clutching pansies".[74]

The above graphic is from Examining Atheism which featured a screen capture and link to Ace McWicked's wiki post at the website RationalWiki.[75] See also: Atheism and mental toughness

RationalWiki is an atheist/agnostic wiki website.

On May 23, 2020, an administrator of RationalWiki who goes by the username Ace McWicked, admitted that its editors are a "bunch of pearl clutching pansies".[76]

The comment was made on its moderation page.

New Atheism and hypocritical cowardice

Christopher Hitchens was one of the founders of the New Atheism movement.

New Atheism is a form of militant atheism. In 2010, Christian apologist Ken Ammi wrote:

The New Atheists have expressed that the proverbial straw-that-broke-the-Atheist-camel's-back was the group of attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001 AD. That is not to say that some of them were not Atheist activists before then, but 9/11 fanned the flames of their activism.

The attacks on 9/11 where primarily caused by Islamic extremism (with a long list of other causes such as maintenance or gaining of power, wealth, popularity, etc.). The question is: what have the New Atheists done in response to this particular event, this particular threat? Surely, they would focus their efforts primarily, if not exclusively, upon confronting this threat, this cause, head on.

Yet, what have the New Atheists done? What they have and have not done makes one wonder if their appeal to 9/11 is a reason or an excuse. After all, why 9/11? Are they not aware of similar atrocities throughout history? Are they not aware of the recent chronicles of the most secular century in human history also being the bloodiest-with millions upon millions being murdered not only during war, but also by their own regimes? (see here).

Have any of the New Atheists toured Islamic countries giving lectures in which they condemn Allah, Muhammad, Islam, or Muslims? Have any of them debated Muslims in Islamic countries? Have any of them been interviewed on Al Jazeera? Have any of them written entire books in which they condemn Allah, Muhammad, Islam, or Muslims? Have they done anything of the sort at all? The answers to all of the above are: "No." Rather, what they have done is sit within the comfort and safety of countries based on Christian principles and conveniently launched condemnations which are roughly quantifiable as being 90% anti-Christian and 10% anti-other religions (and this may be being too generous an estimation).[77]

Kyle Kulinski's refusal to engage in an atheism vs. Christianity debate

In 2015, the new atheist and agnostic Kyle Kulinski was offered an atheism vs. Christianity debate and he refused to accept the debate offer (see: Essay: New Atheist Kyle Kulinski defeated).

Atheism and a lack of art/music around heroic figures

While Christianity has many heroic figures/martyrs who led exemplary lives to create works of art/music around (see: Christian art), the atheist community is filled with rogues and cowards (see also: Atheism and moral intelligence) and has few, if any, such works.

For more information please see: Atheism and art

Secular leftist Swedes and the Muslim rapists epidemic in their country

The International Business Times reported in 2014: "Sweden has the highest rate of rape in Europe, with the UN reporting 69 rape cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2011."[78] See also: Atheism and rape

See also: Atheistic Sweden and rape and Atheism vs. Islam and Atheism and rape

Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[79] Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as Western World nations.[80]

The International Business Times reported in 2014:

Sweden has the highest rate of rape in Europe, with the UN reporting 69 rape cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2011, according to author and advocate of power feminism Naomi Wolf on opinion website Project Syndicate.

In 2010, Swedish police recorded the highest number of offences - about 63 per 100,000 inhabitants - of any force in Europe. That was the second highest in the world after Lesotho.

"According to rape crisis advocates in Sweden, one-third of Swedish women have been sexually assaulted by the time they leave their teens. According to a study published in 2003, and other later studies through 2009, Sweden has the highest sexual assault rate in Europe, and among the lowest conviction rates," Wolf wrote.

A 2010 Amnesty report said: "In Sweden, according to official crime statistics, the number of reported rapes has quadrupled during the past 20 years. In 2008, there were just over 4,000 rapes of people over 15, the great majority of them girls and women."[78]

India's Maneka Gandhi, who is the Indian Union Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development, said when comparing India's rape rate to Sweden's: “We have four rapes per 100,000 women, while Sweden has more than 130."[81]

Swedes not standing up to the Muslim community about the Muslim rapists epidemic in Sweden

James Lewis wrote in The American Thinker:

Sweden's coat of arms shows two fierce, roaring lions. But a few years ago, Swedish feminists successfully campaigned to castrate the rampant lions (on a local version of the royal coat of arms), because their penises were too obviously ready for business.

Swedish politicians obligingly removed the offending members. They have done much the same thing to themselves.

And thereby hangs a tale of feminized Sweden and the Muslim rape epidemic...

In tribal cultures, war-making males commonly commit rapes while raiding enemy clans. Even chimp gangs do it. Chicago gangs do it, too – unless they are restrained by their own, or fear deadly retaliation...

No human culture promotes rape against in-group women; it is usually committed against out-group women. In-group rape is taboo, because many tribes have strict rules of exogamy (having to marry and have children outside the clan to prevent inbreeding).

In Muslim tribal cultures, rape is sanctioned outside the family, the clan, and the faith, the umma.

However, rape and the worst kinds of violence are religiously authorized in jihad war against declared out-groups. Punishment for rape can be severe if the victim is a protected family member. But infidel women are free for all. That is what ISIS is telling the world, in Iraq and Syria...

Now, next door to Sweden, Norway recently expelled almost a thousand Muslim immigrants for serious crimes, and behold! The violent crime rate dropped by 30% in Norway. Amazing but true.[82]

Secular leftists Swedes have been too cowardly to confront the Muslim community in their country and put an end to the rape epidemic.

See also:

Low amount of atheist martyrdom compared to Christian martyrdom

See also: Persecution of atheists

There have been several instances where atheists demonstrated tremendous bravery till death standing up to Islamists, especially in Bangladesh.[83] See also: Atheism vs. Islam

Protestant Christianity published the book the widely read book Foxe's Book of Martyrs. There is no "Atheists book of martyrs".

In addition, Christians currently experience the greatest amount of persecution in the world given that Christianity is the most geographically diverse religious community in the world and Christians are a minority in many countries. See: Christian persecution

Kathy Griffin

Kathy Griffin is an American comedian and actress.

A few public relations experts have publicly indicated that her 2017 publicity stunt which involved her holding a mock severed head of Donald Trump was a career ending move.[84] All of her remaining 2017 bookings for stand-up comedy appearances cancelled her scheduled appearances.[85]

Griffin identifies herself as a militant atheist.[86]

The Examining Atheism blog wrote about Griffin:

Comedian Kathy Griffin identifies herself as a "complete militant atheist".

She has had a lot of public backlash after she held a mock severed head on Donald Trump.

At a news conference, she said of Trump in a teary-eyed manner: "He broke me".

If she is representative of militant atheists, the ideological foot soldiers of atheism have backbones of jelly![87]

There are no atheists in foxholes

See also: There Are No Atheists In Foxholes and Atheism and anxiety

Reverend William T. Cummings is famous for declaring "There are no atheists in foxholes".[88]

Reverend William T. Cummings, who served at Bataan, is famous for declaring There are no atheists in foxholes."[88] In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Warren J. Clear, who also served at Bataan, used the expression in an interview printed in U.S. newspapers in the middle of April.[88]

Chaplain F.W. Lawson of the 302d Machine Gun Battalion, who was wounded twice in wartime, declared "I doubt if there is such a thing as an atheist. At least there isn't in a front line trench."[88] Hannah More wrote: "In agony or danger, no nature is atheist. The mind that knows not what to fly to, flies to God."[89]

President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared in remarks broadcast from the White House as part of a February 7, 1954 American Legion Program:

As a former soldier, I am delighted that our veterans are sponsoring a movement to increase our awareness of God in our daily lives. In battle, they learned a great truth-that there are no atheists in the foxholes. They know that in time of test and trial, we instinctively turn to God for new courage…Whatever our individual church, whatever our personal creed, our common faith in God is a common bond among us.[90]

Atheists, debates and critical thinking

See also: Atheism and critical thinking

Well-structured debates have cross-examination by the participants which often can stimulate critical thinking by participants and audience members. And many debates have an audience questioning period where audience members pose questions to the debaters.

In addition, ideologues who engage in uncritical thinking often are unaware of opposing arguments and actively avoid intellectually engaging with their opponents arguments.

Fear and avoidance is often the root of denialism. The poor debate performances of contemporary atheists and prominent atheists dodging debates is indicative of many atheists engaging in denialism and also a lack of rigorous critical thinking on the part of many atheists (see: Atheism and critical thinking).

See also

External links

References

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  81. Kathy Griffin needs to do these things to recover from her career-killing Trump 'beheading' stunt, CNBC
  82. Kathy Griffin needs to do these things to recover from her career-killing Trump 'beheading' stunt, CNBC
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