Changes

Unlike [[Christianity]], which is supported by a large body of sound evidence (see: [[Christian apologetics websites|Christian apologetics resources]]), [[atheism]] has no proof and evidence supporting its ideology (see: [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism]]). In addition, atheists have a tradition of making assumptions about various matters that have later have proved to be wrong.<ref>[http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny</ref>

Unlike [[Christianity]], which is supported by a large body of sound evidence (see: [[Christian apologetics websites|Christian apologetics resources]]), [[atheism]] has no proof and evidence supporting its ideology (see: [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism]]). In addition, atheists have a tradition of making assumptions about various matters that have later have proved to be wrong.<ref>[http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny</ref>

The [[Appeal to ridicule|appeal to ridicule]] fallacy, also known as the appeal to mockery and the horse laugh, is a [[logical fallacy|fallacy of relevance]].  It consists of mocking an opposing argument rather than considering it on the merits.  

The [[appeal to ridicule]] fallacy, also known as the appeal to mockery and the horse laugh, is a [[logical fallacy|fallacy of relevance]].  It consists of mocking an opposing argument rather than considering it on the merits.  

== Atheist mockery and the history of French atheism ==

== Atheist mockery and the history of French atheism ==

*SPIELVOGEL, Jackson [http://books.google.com/books?id=ni4PSpOxb6MC&dq Western Civilization: Combined Volume] p. 549, 2005,Thomson Wadsworth

*SPIELVOGEL, Jackson [http://books.google.com/books?id=ni4PSpOxb6MC&dq Western Civilization: Combined Volume] p. 549, 2005,Thomson Wadsworth

*Latreille, A. FRENCH REVOLUTION, New Catholic Encyclopedia v. 5, pp. 972–973 (Second Ed. 2002 Thompson/Gale) ISBN 0-7876-4004-2</ref> (anti-clerical [[deism]] and anti-religious atheism and played a significant role in the French Revolution<ref>[https://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/chap7c.html War, Terror and Resistence]</ref><ref>''Forging Freedom: The Life of Cerf Berr of M Delsheim'' by Margaret R. O'Leary,  iUniverse (June 1, 2012), pages 1-2</ref>), with the official ideology being the [[Cult of Reason]]; during this time thousands of believers were suppressed and executed by the [[guillotine]].<ref>Multiple references:

*Latreille, A. FRENCH REVOLUTION, New Catholic Encyclopedia v. 5, pp. 972–973 (Second Ed. 2002 Thompson/Gale) ISBN 0-7876-4004-2</ref> (anti-clerical [[deism]] and anti-religious atheism and played a significant role in the French Revolution<ref>[https://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/chap7c.html War, Terror and Resistence]</ref><ref>''Forging Freedom: The Life of Cerf Berr of M Delsheim'' by Margaret R. O'Leary,  iUniverse (June 1, 2012), pages 1-2</ref>), with the official ideology being the [[Cult of Reason]]; during this time thousands of believers were suppressed and executed by the [[guillotine]].<ref>Multiple references:

<!-- Guillotine -->*{{cite web|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=bf3m7IVAa9gC&pg=PA461&dq=France+atheism+guillotine++Christians+executed&hl=en&sa=X&ei=l4lUUaTRBufG0QGe0IHACA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=France%20atheism%20guillotine%20%20Christians%20executed&f=false|title =''Christianity: The eBook''|author=James Adair|publisher = JBE Online Books|year=2007|quote=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.|pages=p. 461|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}

<!-- Guillotine -->*{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=bf3m7IVAa9gC&pg=PA461&dq=France+atheism+guillotine++Christians+executed&hl=en&sa=X&ei=l4lUUaTRBufG0QGe0IHACA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=France%20atheism%20guillotine%20%20Christians%20executed&f=false|title =''Christianity: The eBook''|author=James Adair|publisher = JBE Online Books|year=2007|quote=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.|pages=461|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}

<!-- France -->*{{cite web|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=9WkBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA105&dq=Reign+of+Terror+atheism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HoRUUcD0NeXX0gGNo4HIDQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Reign%20of%20Terror%20atheism&f=false|title =''Memoirs of the Reign of George III. to the Session of Parliament ending A.D. 1793'', Volume 5|page=105|author=William Belsham|publisher = G.G. & J. Robinson|year=1801|quote=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.'<br>"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.'|pages=pp. 105-6|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}

<!-- France -->*{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=9WkBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA105&dq=Reign+of+Terror+atheism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HoRUUcD0NeXX0gGNo4HIDQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Reign%20of%20Terror%20atheism&f=false|title =''Memoirs of the Reign of George III. to the Session of Parliament ending A.D. 1793'', Volume 5|page=105|author=William Belsham|publisher = G.G. & J. Robinson|year=1801|quote=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.'<br>"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.'|pages=105–6|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}

<!-- Reign of Terror -->*{{cite web|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=Tt5rqiCP1p8C&pg=PA57&dq=Reign+of+Terror+atheism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HoRUUcD0NeXX0gGNo4HIDQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Reign%20of%20Terror%20atheism&f=false|title =''Christianity, Islam, and Atheism: The Struggle for the Soul of the West''|author=William Kilpatrick|publisher = Ignatius Press|year=2012|quote=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.<br>"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'.<br>"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.|pages=p. 57|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}</ref>

<!-- Reign of Terror -->*{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=Tt5rqiCP1p8C&pg=PA57&dq=Reign+of+Terror+atheism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HoRUUcD0NeXX0gGNo4HIDQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Reign%20of%20Terror%20atheism&f=false|title =''Christianity, Islam, and Atheism: The Struggle for the Soul of the West''|author=William Kilpatrick|publisher = Ignatius Press|year=2012|quote=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.<br>"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'.<br>"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.|pages=57|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}</ref>

Kenneth Weinstein wrote in ''The American Interest'':

Kenneth Weinstein wrote in ''The American Interest'':

==== Various reasons why French atheist ridicule is ineffective against evangelicalism/Islam ====

==== Various reasons why French atheist ridicule is ineffective against evangelicalism/Islam ====

[[File: Blue Marble.jpg|right|200px|thumbnail|Atheism is in [[Global atheism|global decline]], 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.<ref>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]</ref>]]

[[File: Blue Marble.jpg|right|200px|thumbnail|Atheism is in [[Global atheism|global decline]], 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.<ref>[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]</ref>]]

One of the reasons why French atheist ridicule may not work to halt quickly growing evangelical Christianity and Islam and that many of these individuals are immigrants who have the support of their local immigrant communities and thus they are thus largely insulated from such attacks.<ref>In his lecture [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7vCDeKPRSo Religion, Demography and Politics in the 21st Century], [[Eric Kaufmann]] points out that immigrants see religion as an integral part of their identity and group identification</ref>   

One of the reasons why French atheist ridicule may not work to halt quickly growing evangelical Christianity and Islam and that many of these individuals are immigrants who have the support of their local immigrant communities and thus they are thus largely insulated from such attacks.<ref>In his lecture [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7vCDeKPRSo Religion, Demography and Politics in the 21st Century], [[Eric Kaufmann]] points out that immigrants see religion as an integral part of their identity and group identification</ref>   

===== Factors which limit the amount of ridicule that religious immigrants are subjected to =====

===== Factors which limit the amount of ridicule that religious immigrants are subjected to =====

There are some mitigating factors which lesson the amount of ridicule that religious immigrants are subjected to by the [[secular left|secular leftist]] community:  immigrants often vote for left leaning candidates and are seen as a tool to increase votes for leftists <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VpVwYZKeGQ Do Leftists Care About Immigrants?]</ref>; [[multiculturism]]<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf  Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century] by [[Eric Kaufmann]]</ref>; and [[identity politics]].

There are some mitigating factors which lesson the amount of ridicule that religious immigrants are subjected to by the [[secular left]]ist community:  immigrants often vote for left leaning candidates and are seen as a tool to increase votes for leftists;<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VpVwYZKeGQ Do Leftists Care About Immigrants?]</ref> [[multiculturism]];<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf  Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century] by [[Eric Kaufmann]]</ref> and [[identity politics]].

The new atheists Richard Dawkins, [[Sam Harris]] and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] have received multiple accusations of engaging in [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] behavior by fellow secular leftists.<ref>

The new atheists Richard Dawkins, [[Sam Harris]] and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] have received multiple accusations of engaging in [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] behavior by fellow secular leftists.<ref>

*[http://www.salon.com/2013/03/30/dawkins_harris_hitchens_new_atheists_flirt_with_islamophobia/ Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens: New Atheists flirt with Islamophobia] by Nathan Lean, ''Salon'', March 30, 2013

*[http://www.salon.com/2013/03/30/dawkins_harris_hitchens_new_atheists_flirt_with_islamophobia/ Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens: New Atheists flirt with Islamophobia] by Nathan Lean, ''Salon'', March 30, 2013

*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/sam-harris-muslim-animus Sam Harris, the New Atheists, and anti-Muslim animus] by Glenn Greenwald, ''The Guardian'', April 3, 2013</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/04/new-atheism-should-be-able-criticise-islam-without-being-accused-islamophobia New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia] by Andrew Zak Williams, ''New Statesman'', Published 19 April, 2013</ref> See also: [[Atheism vs. Islam]]

*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/sam-harris-muslim-animus Sam Harris, the New Atheists, and anti-Muslim animus] by Glenn Greenwald, ''The Guardian'', April 3, 2013</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/04/new-atheism-should-be-able-criticise-islam-without-being-accused-islamophobia New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia] by Andrew Zak Williams, ''New Statesman'', Published 19 April 2013</ref> See also: [[Atheism vs. Islam]]

'''Multiculturism, assimilation and the desecularization of Europe:'''

'''Multiculturism, assimilation and the desecularization of Europe:'''

[[Richard Dawkins]] has encouraged his supporters to go beyond humorous ridicule.<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>  At the [[Reason Rally]] he exclaimed, "Mock them. Ridicule them! In public."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>  He also wrote, "I lately started to think that we need to go further: go beyond humorous ridicule, sharpen our barbs to a point where they really hurt."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>

[[Richard Dawkins]] has encouraged his supporters to go beyond humorous ridicule.<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>  At the [[Reason Rally]] he exclaimed, "Mock them. Ridicule them! In public."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>  He also wrote, "I lately started to think that we need to go further: go beyond humorous ridicule, sharpen our barbs to a point where they really hurt."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>

See also: [[Atheism and intolerance#Examples of intolerance from Richard Dawkins|Richard Dawkins and intolerance]]

{{See also|Atheism and intolerance#Examples of intolerance from Richard Dawkins|l1=Richard Dawkins and intolerance}}

=== Atheists Penn and Teller and mockery ===

=== Atheists Penn and Teller and mockery ===

As far as [[Christian]] [[internet evangelism]], YouTube is a popular online video sharing site that provides a method distributing Christian/creationist videos across the world. The YouTube search engine is the second largest search engine in the world.<ref>http://www.tgdaily.com/trendwatch-features/39777-youtube-surpasses-yahoo-as-world%E2%80%99s-2-search-engine</ref> There is a widespread problem with atheist cyberbullying on [[YouTube]] toward [[Christian]] and creationist YouTube channels.  [[CreationWiki]] has developed a web page entitled [http://creationwiki.org/Creationist_YouTube_video Creationist YouTube video] designed to show creationists how to thwart atheist/evolutionist cyberbullies.   

As far as [[Christian]] [[internet evangelism]], YouTube is a popular online video sharing site that provides a method distributing Christian/creationist videos across the world. The YouTube search engine is the second largest search engine in the world.<ref>http://www.tgdaily.com/trendwatch-features/39777-youtube-surpasses-yahoo-as-world%E2%80%99s-2-search-engine</ref> There is a widespread problem with atheist cyberbullying on [[YouTube]] toward [[Christian]] and creationist YouTube channels.  [[CreationWiki]] has developed a web page entitled [http://creationwiki.org/Creationist_YouTube_video Creationist YouTube video] designed to show creationists how to thwart atheist/evolutionist cyberbullies.   

The popular Christian YouTube channel, [[Shockofgod]], which often uses humor to poke fun at the foolishness of atheism, was shut down several times by atheist cyberbullying through false reports, but [http://creationwiki.org/Creationist_YouTube_video he developed counter measures to overcome this problem]. <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kax-zAJxi-U</ref> These false reports are not isolated incidents. Atheists have repeatedly used this deceitful tactic to block out [[Christianity]] and [[creation science]].

The popular Christian YouTube channel, [[Shockofgod]], which often uses humor to poke fun at the foolishness of atheism, was shut down several times by atheist cyberbullying through false reports, but [http://creationwiki.org/Creationist_YouTube_video he developed counter measures to overcome this problem].<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kax-zAJxi-U</ref> These false reports are not isolated incidents. Atheists have repeatedly used this deceitful tactic to block out [[Christianity]] and [[creation science]].

Oswald Chambers declared about atheism: "The real attitude of sin in the heart towards God is that of being without God; it is pride, the worship of myself, that is the great atheistic fact in human life." <ref>Chambers, Oswald (1953).  ''God's Workmanship'' (London: Oswald Chambers Publications Association and Marshall, Morgan & Scott).</ref> See also: [[Atheism and arrogance]]

Oswald Chambers declared about atheism: "The real attitude of sin in the heart towards God is that of being without God; it is pride, the worship of myself, that is the great atheistic fact in human life." <ref>Chambers, Oswald (1953).  ''God's Workmanship'' (London: Oswald Chambers Publications Association and Marshall, Morgan & Scott).</ref> See also: [[Atheism and arrogance]]

Bluster and mockery is often a substitute for competence and is a result of arrogance and complacency - it can quickly pop like a balloon.<ref>[http://lauravanderkam.com/2013/05/confidence-competence/ Confidence and competence]</ref> In 1990, the [[atheism|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 [[theism|theistic]] arguments.<ref>''Open Questions: Diverse Thinkers Discuss God, Religion, and Faith'' by Luís F. Rodrigues, page 201</ref>  Yet, in 1994, Michael Martin was criticized for his eleventh hour cancellation of his debate with [[Greg Bahnsen]] (see: [[Greg Bahnsen and debate]] and [[Press release after Michael Martin pulled out of Martin-Bahnsen debate|Bahnson-Martin debate press release]]).<ref>[http://simpleapologetics.com/thegreatdebate.html The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein]</ref><ref>[http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_articles/Bahnsen.htm Bahsen at the Stein debate] by John Frame</ref>  

Bluster and mockery is often a substitute for competence and is a result of arrogance and complacency - it can quickly pop like a balloon.<ref>[http://lauravanderkam.com/2013/05/confidence-competence/ Confidence and competence]</ref> In 1990, the [[atheism|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 [[theism|theistic]] arguments.<ref>''Open Questions: Diverse Thinkers Discuss God, Religion, and Faith'' by Luís F. Rodrigues, page 201</ref>  Yet, in 1994, Michael Martin was criticized for his eleventh hour cancellation of his debate with [[Greg Bahnsen]] (see: [[Greg Bahnsen and debate]] and [[Press release after Michael Martin pulled out of Martin-Bahnsen debate|Bahnson-Martin debate press release]]).<ref>[http://simpleapologetics.com/thegreatdebate.html The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein]</ref><ref>[http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_articles/Bahnsen.htm Bahsen at the Stein debate] by John Frame</ref>  

At the present time, the [[cowardice]] associated with atheism has become so obvious that it is making newspaper headlines.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates/?test=latestnews Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig Is Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers]</ref> <ref>[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]</ref>  For example, on May of 2011, the [[UK]]'s ''The Daily Telegraph'' alluded to the cowardice of Richard Dawkins who flip-flops between being an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and an atheist as far as his public persona (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]).<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates/?test=latestnews Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig Is Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers]</ref><ref>[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]</ref>

At the present time, the [[cowardice]] associated with atheism has become so obvious that it is making newspaper headlines.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates/?test=latestnews Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig Is Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers]</ref><ref>[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]</ref>  For example, on May 2011, the [[UK]]'s ''The Daily Telegraph'' alluded to the cowardice of Richard Dawkins who flip-flops between being an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and an atheist as far as his public persona (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]).<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates/?test=latestnews Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig Is Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers]</ref><ref>[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]</ref>

In addition, prominent atheists and evolutionists have established a reputation of dodging debates (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]). For example, in 2012 both the new atheist [[Richard Dawkins]] and the British Humanist Society dodged debates with Dr. [[William Lane Craig]]. Also, due to Christian creationists generally winning creation vs. evolution debates in the 1970's and 1980's  atheists [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates|tend to dodge creation vs. evolution debates.]]  Richard Dawkins has established a reputation of [[Richard Dawkins and debate|avoiding his strongest debate opponents]].

In addition, prominent atheists and evolutionists have established a reputation of dodging debates (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]). For example, in 2012 both the new atheist [[Richard Dawkins]] and the British Humanist Society dodged debates with Dr. [[William Lane Craig]]. Also, due to Christian creationists generally winning creation vs. evolution debates in the 1970's and 1980's  atheists [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates|tend to dodge creation vs. evolution debates.]]  Richard Dawkins has established a reputation of [[Richard Dawkins and debate|avoiding his strongest debate opponents]].

See also: [[Atheism debates]]

{{See also|Atheism debates}}

== Bible verses related to mockers ==

== Bible verses related to mockers ==

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category: Atheism]]

[[Category:Atheism]]

[[Category: Logic]]

[[Category:Logic]]