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[[Image:Bahnsen.jpg‎|thumb|150px|Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] became known as "the man [[atheism|atheists]] fear most" due to [[Michael Martin]]'s cancellation of their scheduled debate.<ref>[http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_articles/Bahnsen.htm Bahsen at the Stein debate] by John Frame</ref><ref>[http://simpleapologetics.com/thegreatdebate.html The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein]</ref>]]

[[Image:Bahnsen.jpg‎|thumb|150px|Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] became known as "the man [[atheism|atheists]] fear most" due to [[Michael Martin]]'s cancellation of their scheduled debate.<ref name="Bahsen at the Stein debate">[http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_articles/Bahnsen.htm Bahsen at the Stein debate] by John Frame</ref><ref name="simpleapologetics.com">[http://simpleapologetics.com/thegreatdebate.html The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein]</ref>]]

There are a number of ways to respond to  [[Atheism|atheist]] arguments. [[Christianity|Christians]] have done extremely well in Christianity vs. atheism debates (see: [[Christianity vs. atheism debates]]).  

There are a number of ways to respond to  [[Atheism|atheist]] arguments. [[Christianity|Christians]] have done extremely well in Christianity vs. atheism debates (see: [[Christianity vs. atheism debates]]).  

When having a discussion with an atheist, it is important to listen, be empathetic and build rapport with that atheist. In addition, ask [[Open ended questions|open ended questions]]. If this is not done, the atheist will be resistant to what the believer in God has to say.<ref>[http://observer.com/2016/05/this-is-how-to-be-persuasive-7-new-secrets-from-hostage-negotiation/ This Is How To Be Persuasive: 7 New Secrets From Hostage Negotiation], Observer</ref>  

When having a discussion with an atheist, it is important to listen, be empathetic and build rapport with that atheist. In addition, ask [[open ended questions]]. If this is not done, the atheist will be resistant to what the believer in God has to say.<ref name="observer.com">[http://observer.com/2016/05/this-is-how-to-be-persuasive-7-new-secrets-from-hostage-negotiation/ This Is How To Be Persuasive: 7 New Secrets From Hostage Negotiation], Observer</ref>  

By listening and asking open ended questions (which builds rapport} the [[theism|theist]] can find the underlying reasons why an atheists believes what they believe or disbelieves what he disbelieves.<ref>[http://observer.com/2016/05/this-is-how-to-be-persuasive-7-new-secrets-from-hostage-negotiation/ This Is How To Be Persuasive: 7 New Secrets From Hostage Negotiation], Observer</ref>  

By listening and asking open ended questions (which builds rapport) the [[theism|theist]] can find the underlying reasons why an atheists believes what they believe or disbelieves what he disbelieves.<ref name="observer.com"/>  

An adage of John Pierpont Morgan says, "A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason."

An adage of John Pierpont Morgan says, "A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason."

Atheism, as defined by the ''[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', the ''[[Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', and other [[philosophy]] reference works, is the denial of the existence of [[God]].<ref>

Atheism, as defined by the ''[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', the ''[[Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', and other [[philosophy]] reference works, is the denial of the existence of [[God]].<ref>

*[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Atheism and Agnosticism]</ref>

*[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Atheism and Agnosticism]</ref>

<ref name="cw">[http://creation.com/atheism-is-more-rational Is Atheism More Rational?] by [[Creation Ministries International]]</ref><ref name="Divine">Day, Donn R. (2007).  [http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm "Atheism - etymology"].</ref><ref>[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/definition-of-atheism Definition of atheism] by [[William Lane Craig]]</ref> See also: [[Definition of atheism]]

<ref name="cw">[http://creation.com/atheism-is-more-rational Is Atheism More Rational?] by [[Creation Ministries International]]</ref><ref name="Divine">Day, Donn R. (2007).  [http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm "Atheism - etymology"].</ref><ref name="Definition of atheism">[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/definition-of-atheism Definition of atheism] by [[William Lane Craig]]</ref> See also: [[Definition of atheism]]

[[Paul Edwards (philosopher)|Paul Edwards]], who was a prominent atheist and editor of the ''[[Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', defined an atheist as "a person who maintains that there is no God." <ref name="CRI">[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html Putting the Atheist on the Defensive] by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.</ref>

[[Paul Edwards (philosopher)|Paul Edwards]], who was a prominent atheist and editor of the ''[[Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', defined an atheist as "a person who maintains that there is no God." <ref name="CRI">[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html Putting the Atheist on the Defensive] by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.</ref>

Beginning in the latter portion of the 20th century and continuing beyond, many [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists have argued that the [[definition of atheism]] should be defined as a mere lack of belief in God or gods.<ref name="Divine">Day, Donn R. (2007).  [http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm "Atheism - etymology"].</ref><ref>[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/definition-of-atheism Definition of atheism] by [[William Lane Craig]]</ref><ref name="CRI">[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html Putting the Atheist on the Defensive] by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.</ref><ref>Britain is a less religious country than the United States and the online Oxford Dictionaries offers both the narrow/broad definitions of atheism (As noted in a previous footnote the Merriam-Webster dictionary, which is a traditional American dictionary, offers a more narrow definition of atheism similar to the definition that major encyclopedias of philosophy use). Oxford Dictionaries: Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.[http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/atheism]</ref>   

Beginning in the latter portion of the 20th century and continuing beyond, many [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists have argued that the [[definition of atheism]] should be defined as a mere lack of belief in God or gods.<ref name="Divine"/><ref name="Definition of atheism"/><ref name="CRI">[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html Putting the Atheist on the Defensive] by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.</ref><ref>Britain is a less religious country than the United States and the online Oxford Dictionaries offers both the narrow/broad definitions of atheism (As noted in a previous footnote the Merriam-Webster dictionary, which is a traditional American dictionary, offers a more narrow definition of atheism similar to the definition that major encyclopedias of philosophy use). Oxford Dictionaries: Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.[http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/atheism]</ref>   

The atheist Francois Tremblay wrote in his essay ''Herding Cats: Why atheism will lose'':

The atheist Francois Tremblay wrote in his essay ''Herding Cats: Why atheism will lose'':

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

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

[[Judaism|Jewish]] columnist [[Dennis Prager]] has stated that a causal factor of [[atheism]] is the "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>  See also: [[Atheism and critical thinking]]   

[[Judaism|Jewish]] columnist [[Dennis Prager]] has stated that a causal factor of [[atheism]] is the "secular indoctrination of a generation."<ref name="worldnetdaily.com">[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 name="worldnetdaily.com"/>  See also: [[Atheism and critical thinking]]   

In 2013, an study found that academia was less likely to hire evangelical Christians due to discriminatory attitudes.<ref>[http://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2013/06/10/suspicions-confirmed-academia-shutting-out-conservative-professors-n1616406/page/full Suspicions Confirmed: Academia Shutting Out Conservative Professors]</ref> See also: [[Atheism and intolerance]]

In 2013, an study found that academia was less likely to hire evangelical Christians due to discriminatory attitudes.<ref>[http://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2013/06/10/suspicions-confirmed-academia-shutting-out-conservative-professors-n1616406/page/full Suspicions Confirmed: Academia Shutting Out Conservative Professors]</ref> See also: [[Atheism and intolerance]]

=== Atheist Michael Martin on atheistic responses to theistic arguments ===

=== Atheist Michael Martin on atheistic responses to theistic arguments ===

In 1990, the atheist philosopher [[Michael Martin]] indicated there was a general [[Atheism and apathy|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>

In 1990, the atheist philosopher [[Michael Martin]] indicated there was a general [[Atheism and apathy|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 name="Bahsen at the Stein debate"/><ref name="simpleapologetics.com"/>

=== Theists surge in philosophy departments and world at large ===

=== Theists surge in philosophy departments and world at large ===