Changes

Checking multiple sources that disagree with each-other and weighing the evidence in your mind is sometimes tedious, but in the end it is worth it.<ref>[http://christianapologeticsalliance.com/2015/01/17/what-is-the-value-of-free-thought/ What Is the Value of Freethought]</ref>}}

Checking multiple sources that disagree with each-other and weighing the evidence in your mind is sometimes tedious, but in the end it is worth it.<ref>[http://christianapologeticsalliance.com/2015/01/17/what-is-the-value-of-free-thought/ What Is the Value of Freethought]</ref>}}

The [[fallacy of exclusion]] is a [[logical fallacies|logical fallacy]] where "Important evidence which would undermine an inductive argument is excluded from consideration. The requirement that all relevant information be included is called the 'principle of total evidence'."<ref>http://onegoodmove.org/fallacy/exclus.htm</ref>. Atheists avoiding and ignoring the many legitimate arguments against atheism and for [[theism]] are engaging in fallacious reasoning (see also: [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]]).  

The [[fallacy of exclusion]] is a [[logical fallacies|logical fallacy]] where "Important evidence which would undermine an inductive argument is excluded from consideration. The requirement that all relevant information be included is called the 'principle of total evidence'.".<ref>http://onegoodmove.org/fallacy/exclus.htm</ref> Atheists avoiding and ignoring the many legitimate arguments against atheism and for [[theism]] are engaging in fallacious reasoning (see also: [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]]).  

*[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/definition-of-atheism Definition of atheism] by [[William Lane Craig]]

*[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/definition-of-atheism Definition of atheism] by [[William Lane Craig]]

</ref>   

</ref>   

[[File:Stephen Hawking picture.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|The atheist [[Stephen Hawking]] supports the [[multiverse hypothesis]] despite the fact that the universe exhibits a significant amount of fine-tuning.<ref> Universe or Multiverse. p. 19. ISBN 9780521848411. "Some physicists would prefer to believe that string theory, or M-theory, will answer these questions and uniquely predict the features of the Universe. Others adopt the view that the initial state of the Universe is prescribed by an outside agency, code-named God, or that there are many universes, with ours being picked out by the anthropic principle. Hawking argues that string theory is unlikely to predict the distinctive features of the Universe. But neither is he is an advocate of God. He therefore opts for the last approach, favouring the type of multiverse which arises naturally within the context of his own work in quantum cosmology."</ref>  See also: [[Anthropic principle]] ]]

[[File:Stephen Hawking picture.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|The atheist [[Stephen Hawking]] supports the [[multiverse hypothesis]] despite the fact that the universe exhibits a significant amount of fine-tuning.<ref>Universe or Multiverse. p. 19. ISBN 9780521848411. "Some physicists would prefer to believe that string theory, or M-theory, will answer these questions and uniquely predict the features of the Universe. Others adopt the view that the initial state of the Universe is prescribed by an outside agency, code-named God, or that there are many universes, with ours being picked out by the anthropic principle. Hawking argues that string theory is unlikely to predict the distinctive features of the Universe. But neither is he is an advocate of God. He therefore opts for the last approach, favouring the type of multiverse which arises naturally within the context of his own work in quantum cosmology."</ref>  See also: [[Anthropic principle]] ]]

[[Inductive reasoning]] does not lead to atheism as there is no proof and evidence that God does not exist (see also: [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism]]). On the other hand, even in atheistic [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the world [[Intelligent design|as designed]].<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed]</ref>

[[Inductive reasoning]] does not lead to atheism as there is no proof and evidence that God does not exist (see also: [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism]]). On the other hand, even in atheistic [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the world [[Intelligent design|as designed]].<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed]</ref>

The physicist Stephen Barr points out, “How ironic that, having renounced belief in God because God is not material or observable by sense or instrument, the atheist may be driven to postulate not one but an infinitude of unobservables in the material world itself.” See also: [[Multiverse hypothesis|Multiverse]] and [[Dark matter]] and [[Dark energy]]

The physicist Stephen Barr points out, “How ironic that, having renounced belief in God because God is not material or observable by sense or instrument, the atheist may be driven to postulate not one but an infinitude of unobservables in the material world itself.” See also: [[Multiverse hypothesis|Multiverse]] and [[Dark matter]] and [[Dark energy]]

Although many atheists deny that [[Atheist worldview|atheism is a worldview]], atheists commonly [[Atheism and beliefs|share a number of beliefs]] such as [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalism]], belief in [[Evolution|evolution]] and [[Origin of life|abiogenesis]].<ref>

Although many atheists deny that [[Atheist worldview|atheism is a worldview]], atheists commonly [[Atheism and beliefs|share a number of beliefs]] such as [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalism]], belief in [[evolution]] and [[Origin of life|abiogenesis]].<ref>

*[http://carm.org/atheism-worldview Is atheism a worldview?] by Matt Slick of [[CARM]]

*[http://carm.org/atheism-worldview Is atheism a worldview?] by Matt Slick of [[CARM]]

*[http://www.apologetics.net/post/Atheism-a-worldview.aspx Atheism a worldview?]

*[http://www.apologetics.net/post/Atheism-a-worldview.aspx Atheism a worldview?]

''See also:'' [[Atheist indoctrination]]

''See also:'' [[Atheist indoctrination]]

[[File:Dennis Prager.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|[[Dennis Prager]] ]]

[[File:Dennis Prager.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|[[Dennis Prager]] ]]

In order to engage in critical thinking, one must gather and analyze information relevant to the issue at hand. Many atheists are unfamiliar with the evidence and arguments against atheism and the evidence and arguments for theism/Christianity (See: [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]] and [[Christian apologetics websites|Evidence for Christianity]] and [[Arguments for the existence of God]]).<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=43734 How atheism is being sold in America]</ref>

In order to engage in critical thinking, one must gather and analyze information relevant to the issue at hand. Many atheists are unfamiliar with the evidence and arguments against atheism and the evidence and arguments for theism/Christianity (See: [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]] and [[Christian apologetics websites|Evidence for Christianity]] and [[Arguments for the existence of God]]).<ref name="worldnetdaily.com">[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=43734 How atheism is being sold in America]</ref>

The columnist [[Dennis Prager]] wrote that a [[Causes of atheism|causal factor of atheism]] is the "[[Atheist indoctrination|secular indoctrination]] of a generation."<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=43734 How atheism is being sold in America]</ref> Prager stated that "From elementary school through graduate school, only one way of looking at the world – the secular – is presented. The typical individual in the [[Western World|Western world]] receives as secular an indoctrination as the typical European received a religious one in the [[Middle Ages]]."<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=43734 How atheism is being sold in America]</ref>

The columnist [[Dennis Prager]] wrote that a [[Causes of atheism|causal factor of atheism]] is the "[[Atheist indoctrination|secular indoctrination]] of a generation."<ref name="worldnetdaily.com"/> Prager stated that "From elementary school through graduate school, only one way of looking at the world – the secular – is presented. The typical individual in the [[Western World|Western world]] receives as secular an indoctrination as the typical European received a religious one in the [[Middle Ages]]."<ref name="worldnetdaily.com"/>

== Atheism and logic ==

== Atheism and logic ==

* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny  

* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny  

* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by [[Alvin Plantinga]]  

* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by [[Alvin Plantinga]]  

*''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by [[Vox Day]], Benbella Books, Dallas, TX, 2008'' , ISBN-10: 1933771364; ISBN-13: 978-1933771366

*''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by [[Vox Day]], Benbella Books, Dallas, TX, 2008'' , ISBN 1933771364; ISBN 978-1933771366

</ref>

</ref>

''See also:'' [[Atheism and postmodernism]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and postmodernism]]

[[Postmodernism]] is an [[antichristian]],<ref>John F. MacArthur, "Think Biblically!"[http://books.google.ca/books?id=TLHM6mM1KkYC]</ref> far-left, 20th century [[worldview]] and [[academic]] movement characterized by denial of [[objective]] truth, and which [[stolen concept|asserts]] that assertions of objective knowledge are essentially impossible.   

[[Postmodernism]] is an [[antichristian]],<ref>[http://books.google.ca/books?id=TLHM6mM1KkYC John F. MacArthur, "Think Biblically!"]</ref> far-left, 20th century [[worldview]] and [[academic]] movement characterized by denial of [[objective]] truth, and which [[stolen concept|asserts]] that assertions of objective knowledge are essentially impossible.   

The [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[Norman Geisler]] wrote about postmodernism: "In short, the root of Post-modernism is atheism and the fruit of it is [[relativism]] — relativism in every area of life and thought."<ref>[http://normangeisler.com/a-response-to-philosophical-postmodernism-2/ A Response to Philosophical Postmodernism] by [[Norman Geisler|Norman L. Geisler]]</ref> Furthermore, Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel note in their book ''Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews'' that "The [[British Broadcasting Corporation]] actually lists postmodernism as a subset of atheism."<ref>Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews By Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel, page 192 (endnote section)</ref>

The [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[Norman Geisler]] wrote about postmodernism: "In short, the root of Post-modernism is atheism and the fruit of it is [[relativism]] — relativism in every area of life and thought."<ref>[http://normangeisler.com/a-response-to-philosophical-postmodernism-2/ A Response to Philosophical Postmodernism] by [[Norman Geisler|Norman L. Geisler]]</ref> Furthermore, Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel note in their book ''Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews'' that "The [[British Broadcasting Corporation]] actually lists postmodernism as a subset of atheism."<ref>Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews By Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel, page 192 (endnote section)</ref>

As far as [[Schools of atheist thought|schools of atheist thought]], there are atheists who subscribe to [[modernism]] and atheists who subscribe to postmodernism (See: [[Atheism and postmodernism]]).<ref>[https://www.mdc.edu/wolfson/Academic/ArtsLetters/art_philosophy/Humanities/history_of_modernism.htm History of Modernism], Miami Dade College</ref>  Atheists such as [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[Steven Novella]], are critical of postmodernism.<ref>[http://www.physics.nyu.edu/sokal/dawkins.html Postmodernism disrobed] by Richard Dawkins</ref><ref>[http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/postmodernism-sophisticated-nonsense/ Postmodernism – Sophisticated Nonsense] by Steven Novella</ref> See also: [[Atheist factions]]

As far as [[schools of atheist thought]], there are atheists who subscribe to [[modernism]] and atheists who subscribe to postmodernism (See: [[Atheism and postmodernism]]).<ref>[https://www.mdc.edu/wolfson/Academic/ArtsLetters/art_philosophy/Humanities/history_of_modernism.htm History of Modernism], Miami Dade College</ref>  Atheists such as [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[Steven Novella]], are critical of postmodernism.<ref>[http://www.physics.nyu.edu/sokal/dawkins.html Postmodernism disrobed] by Richard Dawkins</ref><ref>[http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/postmodernism-sophisticated-nonsense/ Postmodernism – Sophisticated Nonsense] by Steven Novella</ref> See also: [[Atheist factions]]

[[Image:Jhcfju6.jpg|right|thumb|175px|right|[[C.S. Lewis]], photographed in 1947.]]

[[Image:Jhcfju6.jpg|right|thumb|175px|right|[[C.S. Lewis]], photographed in 1947.]]

Arthur W. Lindsley, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, [[C.S. Lewis]] Institute, wrote:

Arthur W. Lindsley, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, [[C.S. Lewis]] Institute, wrote:

Postmodern theology stretches from [[militant atheism]] to village atheist. All the major Postmodern writers were atheists, including [[Michel Foucault|Foucault]], [[Jacques Derrida|Derrida]], Lyotard, Bataille, Barthes, Baudrillard, Macherey, Deleuze, Guattari, and Lacan.

Postmodern theology stretches from [[militant atheism]] to village atheist. All the major Postmodern writers were atheists, including [[Michel Foucault|Foucault]], [[Jacques Derrida|Derrida]], Lyotard, Bataille, Barthes, Baudrillard, Macherey, Deleuze, Guattari, and Lacan.

Charlotte Allen noted that Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, “and their [followers]...were all militant atheists, with all the intolerance and totalitarian tendencies of that breed.”<ref>[http://www.allaboutworldview.org/postmodern-theology.htm Postmodern theology]]</ref>}}

Charlotte Allen noted that Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, “and their [followers]...were all militant atheists, with all the intolerance and totalitarian tendencies of that breed.”<ref>[http://www.allaboutworldview.org/postmodern-theology.htm Postmodern theology]</ref>}}

The Christian educational website Beyond Teachable Moments indicates about the secular educational system:

The Christian educational website Beyond Teachable Moments indicates about the secular educational system:

=== Jacques Derrida, self-identification as an atheist and the law of noncontradiction ===

=== Jacques Derrida, self-identification as an atheist and the law of noncontradiction ===

[[File:Jacques Derrida.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Jacques Derrida]] ]]

[[File:Jacques Derrida.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Jacques Derrida]] ]]

The prominent postmodernist [[Jacques Derrida]] famously said he "I quite rightly pass for an atheist".<ref>''The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion'', edited by Graham Oppy, 2015, page 40</ref><ref>[http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/deconstructing-god/?_r=0 Deconstructing God] By Gary Gutting, ''New York Times'', Opinionator blogs, March 9, 2014 9:24 pm</ref>  

The prominent postmodernist [[Jacques Derrida]] famously said he "I quite rightly pass for an atheist".<ref name="Religion 2015, page 40">''The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion'', edited by Graham Oppy, 2015, page 40</ref><ref name="Deconstructing God">[http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/deconstructing-god/?_r=0 Deconstructing God] By Gary Gutting, ''New York Times'', Opinionator blogs, March 9, 2014 9:24 pm</ref>  

''The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion'' commenting on this matter of Derrida being an atheist or non-atheist declared:  

''The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion'' commenting on this matter of Derrida being an atheist or non-atheist declared:  

:I am being ironic. Firstly, I prefer to say what they say... So I feel free because I am not saying this. It is, however, not that simple. For I am more than one. I am the atheist they think I am. which is why I say that I 'rightly" pass for an atheist, but I also approve of those who say the exact opposite. Who is right? I don't know. I don't know whether or not I am or not.  

:I am being ironic. Firstly, I prefer to say what they say... So I feel free because I am not saying this. It is, however, not that simple. For I am more than one. I am the atheist they think I am. which is why I say that I 'rightly" pass for an atheist, but I also approve of those who say the exact opposite. Who is right? I don't know. I don't know whether or not I am or not.  

Caputo (2003c: 43) commenting on this response explains that Derrida does qualify as an atheist - by the standards, say of the local pastor, of the Pope or [[Jerry Falwell]]. But given Derrida's rejection of the unity of the self ('I am more than one'), Derrida does not believe that we can ever achieve the kind of self-identity and self-transparency required by a religious credo, where we proclaim 'I believe....". Given, further, his commitment to [[deconstruction]] and hence to the undecidability of the theist/atheist opposition, Derrida refuses to categorise himself as an atheist (or a theist). It is not, therefore, a matter of being confused about what one but of refusing the very parameters within which the question (Are you an atheist?) is set.<ref>''The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion'', edited by Graham Oppy, 2015, page 40</ref>}}

Caputo (2003c: 43) commenting on this response explains that Derrida does qualify as an atheist - by the standards, say of the local pastor, of the Pope or [[Jerry Falwell]]. But given Derrida's rejection of the unity of the self ('I am more than one'), Derrida does not believe that we can ever achieve the kind of self-identity and self-transparency required by a religious credo, where we proclaim 'I believe....". Given, further, his commitment to [[deconstruction]] and hence to the undecidability of the theist/atheist opposition, Derrida refuses to categorise himself as an atheist (or a theist). It is not, therefore, a matter of being confused about what one but of refusing the very parameters within which the question (Are you an atheist?) is set.<ref name="Religion 2015, page 40">''The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion'', edited by Graham Oppy, 2015, page 40</ref>}}

[[File:Aristotle.jpg|thumbnail|left|150px|[[Aristotle]] said about the [[law of noncontradiction]]: "The most certain opinion of all" was "that opposed statements cannot be at the same time true."<ref>Aristotle The Metaphysics page 83 Ann Arbor Paperbacks The University of Michigan Press 2013 translated by Richard Hope</ref>]]

[[File:Aristotle.jpg|thumbnail|left|150px|[[Aristotle]] said about the [[law of noncontradiction]]: "The most certain opinion of all" was "that opposed statements cannot be at the same time true."<ref name="ReferenceA">Aristotle The Metaphysics page 83 Ann Arbor Paperbacks The University of Michigan Press 2013 translated by Richard Hope</ref>]]

In his ''New York Times'' article ''Deconstructing God'', Gary Cutting writes:

In his ''New York Times'' article ''Deconstructing God'', Gary Cutting writes:

{{cquote|I can see that there are influences of [[Judaism]], Augustinian Christianity and enlightenment atheism in Derrida. But isn’t this just a matter of his detaching certain religious ideas from their theistic core? He talks of a messiah — but one that never comes; he’s interested in the idea of confessing your sins — but there’s no one to forgive them. After all the deconstructive talk, the [[law of noncontradiction|law of noncontradiction]] still holds: Derrida is either an atheist or he isn’t. It seems that the only reasonable answer is that he’s an atheist.<ref>[http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/deconstructing-god/?_r=0 Deconstructing God] By Gary Gutting, ''New York Times'', Opinionator blogs, March 9, 2014 9:24 pm</ref>}}

{{cquote|I can see that there are influences of [[Judaism]], Augustinian Christianity and enlightenment atheism in Derrida. But isn’t this just a matter of his detaching certain religious ideas from their theistic core? He talks of a messiah — but one that never comes; he’s interested in the idea of confessing your sins — but there’s no one to forgive them. After all the deconstructive talk, the [[law of noncontradiction]] still holds: Derrida is either an atheist or he isn’t. It seems that the only reasonable answer is that he’s an atheist.<ref name="Deconstructing God">[http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/deconstructing-god/?_r=0 Deconstructing God] By Gary Gutting, ''New York Times'', Opinionator blogs, March 9, 2014 9:24 pm</ref>}}

The law of noncontradiction is a rule of [[logic]], it means that if something is true, its opposite is false, an example of this is if a red car is parked outside a building, it is not true that at the same time and in the same sense, a red car is not parked outside the building. [[Aristotle]] stated it in this way,  that "The most certain opinion of all" was "that opposed statements cannot be at the same time true." <ref>Aristotle The Metaphysics page 83 Ann Arbor Paperbacks The University of Michigan Press 2013 translated by Richard Hope</ref>

The law of noncontradiction is a rule of [[logic]], it means that if something is true, its opposite is false, an example of this is if a red car is parked outside a building, it is not true that at the same time and in the same sense, a red car is not parked outside the building. [[Aristotle]] stated it in this way,  that "The most certain opinion of all" was "that opposed statements cannot be at the same time true." <ref name="ReferenceA"/>

== Atheism, arrogance and uncritical thinking ==

== Atheism, arrogance and uncritical thinking ==

=== Atheism and the 20th century ===

=== Atheism and the 20th century ===

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 [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninists]] to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninism">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20130728215151/http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title="Investigating atheism: Marxism"|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=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.|year=2008|accessdate=July 17, 2014|}}</ref>  

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 [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninists]] to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninism">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20130728215151/http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title=Investigating atheism: Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=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.|year=2008|accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>  

==== Recommend reading relating to atheism and the 20th century ====

==== Recommend reading relating to atheism and the 20th century ====