Rebuttals to atheist arguments

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Dr. Greg Bahnsen became known as "the man atheists fear most" due to Michael Martin's cancellation of their scheduled debate.[1][2]

The have been a large number of Atheism vs. Christianity debates on a variety of topics.

At the same time, in 1990, the atheist philosopher 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.[3] Yet, in 1994, Michael Martin was criticized for his eleventh hour cancellation of his debate with Greg Bahnsen (see: Greg Bahnsen and debate and Bahnson-Martin debate press release).[4][5] See also: Atheist apologetics

The majority of philosophers of religion, or those who have extensively studied the issue of the existence of God, are theists (72 percent).[6]

In 2001, the 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."[7] ”

In 2004, Professor Alister McGrath, professor of historical theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University declared, "The golden age of atheism is over."[8] The atheist Jacques Berlinerblau concurs and he declared in 2011: "The Golden Age of Secularism has passed." [9]

The situation has become even worse for atheist community in recent years as the quality of their arguments has diminished and the percentage of atheists in the world is decreasing, while the proliferation of Christian apologetics/apologists is increasing in the world. For example, there is the Trinity Graduate School of Apologetics and Theology initiative which offers quality Christian apologetics for free to third world country students and charges extremely low costs for others. In addition, Ratio Christi is launching Christian apologetics clubs at college/university campuses.

John Lennox

In June 2012, the UK based Dorset Humanists wrote:

“ There’s been a forceful backlash against the ‘new atheism’ of writers like Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens, inspiring a new wave of Christian apologists. This group includes: Alister McGrath, Professor of Theology at King’s College London, Keith Ward, former Professor of Divinity at Oxford, and John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford.

Many atheists make the mistake of assuming religion is wholly irrational, relying on faith alone but, in a series of interviews recorded for DVD, the apologetics heavyweights from the list above demonstrate their ability to challenge us with reasoned arguments.[10]

”

An April 17, 2011 atheist essay entitled Are atheists strengthening religion? declared:

“ The Christian backlash and response to new atheism is/was considerable, and neither can the consequences, changes, and foci which marked their response be ignored.

In the end, have we simply made the aforementioned goal more difficult to accomplish?[11]

”

Contents

General resources: Rebuttals of atheist arguments

Common and/or quick answers to common atheist objections

Comprehensive resources/answers to atheist objections


The argument from beauty is a teleological argument.

Evidence for Christianity


Origin of the universe


Origin of life/Evolution/Science

Websites and other resources specifically dealing with atheism

Videos on atheism

Specific rebuttals and resources relative to atheist arguments

The Wall Street Journal reported: "A comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, 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."[12] See: Irreligion and superstition and Atheism and irrationality

Atheism and morality

Unreasonableness of atheism

Atheism and the weighing of evidence

Rebuttals to God of the gaps argument

Argument from experience and miracles

Atheism and irrationality, specific arguments

General articles:


Atheism and logic/knowledge

Alvin Plantinga


Transcendental argument for the existence of God

See also: Transcendental argument for the existence of God


Debates on the transcendental argument for the existence of God


"The heavens are telling of the glory of God. And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1 NASB)

Existence of the universe


Argument from contingency


Existence of consciousness


C.S. Lewis's argument from reason


Atheism and incoherence and inconsistencies

J.P. Moreland


Incoherence/inconsistency of naturalism:

See: Atheism and naturalism

4 part series by Dr. J.P. Moreland


Articles relating to postmodernism and non-theistic Buddhism


Logic and theism/creation


Common logical fallacies that atheists employ

Atheism and “I reject One God Further” Objection

Videos


Historical and legal apologetics

Historical apologetics:

The Apostle Paul defends his preaching. Artist: Giovanni Ricco


Christian legal apologetics

Atheism and history

Atheism statistics

Causes of war/violence/oppression/discrimination


Atheism and slavery/forced labor:


Atheism and some recent events


The archaeologist Bryant Wood

Bible archaeology


Bible archaeology and dating:


Biblical creation and intelligent design resources

evolutionary theory opponent
Jonathan Sarfati is a scientist who works for Creation Ministries International.


Atheism and science articles:



Age of the earth:


Atheism/Bible/Christianity and morality


The perverse and cruel atheist Marquis de Sade in prison, 18th century line engraving.

Effect of atheistic ideology on culture


Atheism, poor marital/family relationships and effect on sexuality

Irreligion and crime

Atheism and the problem of evil

Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.[13] In Sweden, phenotypic intelligence is now declining.[14] See: Atheism and intelligence

Natural evil and the fall of man


Christian worldview/Christian philosophy


Atheist worldviews


Bible prophecy articles and websites

Analysis of Bible prophecy from Christian scholars/apologists


Rebuttal to atheist Steven Carr concerning Bible prophecy



A common and legitimate criticism of the atheist worldview is that atheism is irrational.[15]

Atheism/theism and purpose/meaning


Psychology/sociology of atheism

Research suggests that irreligiousity is a causal factor for domestic violence.[16]


Atheism and intelligence


Atheism and emotions




Atheism and health


Atheist organizations and dysfunction


Biblical inerrancy resources


Decline of global atheism

Atheism: Poor record of cultural accomplishments

Irreligious countries with Protestant cultural legacies

Atheism and its anti-civilizational effects

See: Atheism and its anti-civilizational effects

Atheist community is lacking in confidence

Eric Kaufmann, a professor at Birkbeck College, University of London, using a wealth of demographic studies, argues that there will be a significant decline of global atheism in the 21st century which will impact the Western World.[17][18][19][20]

See also: Atheist movement and Atheism and social intelligence and Atheism and emotional intelligence and Atheism and cowardice

In 2010, 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."[21] ”

As noted above, 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."[22]

For more information, please see: Atheism and cowardice

Articles about the atheist community lacking in confidence

Atheism and debates

In recent years, there has been a number of notable cases of atheists/evolutionists dodging debate offers and doing poorly in debates (see: Atheists dodging debate offers and Creation vs. evolution debates and Atheism debates).

Recommended reading

General Works Relating to Atheism and/or Defense of Theism

Books on the New Atheism

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

Books on the causes of atheism

See also: Books on the causes of atheism

  • Atheist Persona: Causes and Consequences by John J. Pasquini, Th.D, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Published: April 15, 2014, ISBN-10: 0761863311; ISBN-13: 978-0761863311[1]
  • Immorality and pride, the great causes of atheism a sermon preach'd at the cathedral-church of St. Paul, January the 8th 1697/8 : the first of the lecture for that year, founded by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq. / by John Harris, Publisher: BiblioBazaar, 2011 ISBN 1240832273, 9781240832279 [2]

Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian

See also

v • d • e
Atheism
Atheism • Rebuttal • Morals • Academics • Quotes • Christianity • Debate • Evolution • Atheism and the suppression of science • Mass Murder • Communism • Atheist Shooters and Serial Killers • Mental and Physical Health • Miracles • Morality • Uncharitableness • Agnosticism • Deception • The Bible • The Problem of Evil • Agenda • Psychology • Population • Prison Statistics • Racism • Atheism and women • Brights Movement • Causes • Death Toll • Definitions • Evangelical atheist • Ex-atheists • Faith Freedom International • Godless: The Church of Liberalism‎ • Godless liberal • His Dark Materials • History • Liberalism • Militancy • New Atheism • Videos • Skeptics Annotated Bible • Strong atheism • The God Delusion • There Are No Atheists In Foxholes • Weak atheism 

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ Bahsen at the Stein debate by John Frame
  2. ↑ The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein
  3. ↑ Open Questions: Diverse Thinkers Discuss God, Religion, and Faith by Luís F. Rodrigues, page 201
  4. ↑ The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein
  5. ↑ Bahsen at the Stein debate by John Frame
  6. ↑ Does it matter that many scientists are atheists?
  7. ↑ Craig, William Lane (2012)."Theistic critiques of atheism". Reasonable Faith. Retrieved on July 26, 2014. Unabridged version of article published 2007. See William Lane Craig.
  8. ↑ Stewart, Marilyn (August 10, 2004). "Nobts’ Oxford Study Program spans notable lectures & historical sites". Baptist Press. Retrieved on July 26, 2014.
  9. ↑ Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast, The Chronicle of Higher Education, February 4, 2011
  10. ↑ Philosophy, Science and the God Debate
  11. ↑ Are Atheists Strengthening Religion?
  12. ↑ Who is the superstitious?
  13. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
  14. ↑ The Rise and Fall of the World's IQ by Thomas Hally
  15. ↑ Atheism by Matt Slick
  16. ↑ doi: 10.1177/1077801207308259 ]Violence Against Women, Race/Ethnicity, Religious Involvement, and Domestic Violence,] November 2007 vol. 13 no. 11 1094-1112
  17. ↑ 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
  18. ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?
  19. ↑ Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series
  20. ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  21. ↑ Shall the religious inherit the earth? - Eric Kaufmann
  22. ↑ Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God, The Daily Telegraph, May 14, 2011
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