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Many Atheists concede that it is impossible to ''empirically'' disprove the existence of God, since we lack the capacity to examine the Universe in its entirety.  However, proponents of [[strong atheism|incoherency apologetics]] point to the fact that it is possible to prove universal negatives ''logically''. A common approach in logic to prove universal negatives is to show that the characteristics of the object in question contradict each other.  [[Strong atheism|Incoherency apologetics]] argues that many statements made about God are contradictory (as in the case of the [[problem of evil]]), and it is therefore logically impossible that there exists a God for which all the statements made about Him are true.  These arguments challenge ''characteristics'' of God, and unless these characteristics are precisely defined, they cannot prove that the ''being'' referred to as God does not exist.  Theistic responses include arguments that the claimed contradictions are not actual contradictions, and [[open theism]].

Many Atheists concede that it is impossible to ''empirically'' disprove the existence of God, since we lack the capacity to examine the Universe in its entirety.  However, proponents of [[strong atheism|incoherency apologetics]] point to the fact that it is possible to prove universal negatives ''logically''. A common approach in logic to prove universal negatives is to show that the characteristics of the object in question contradict each other.  [[Strong atheism|Incoherency apologetics]] argues that many statements made about God are contradictory (as in the case of the [[problem of evil]]), and it is therefore logically impossible that there exists a God for which all the statements made about Him are true.  These arguments challenge ''characteristics'' of God, and unless these characteristics are precisely defined, they cannot prove that the ''being'' referred to as God does not exist.  Theistic responses include arguments that the claimed contradictions are not actual contradictions, and [[open theism]].

===Atheism is Contrary to Reasonable Argument===

===Atheism and Reasonable Argument===

Theists often criticize atheism as being contrary to persuasive argument.  [[Arguments for the existence of God]] include:

Theists often criticize atheism as being contrary to persuasive argument.  [[Arguments for the existence of God]] include:

* [[Teleological argument]]: The universe exhibits overwhelming evidence of deliberate, intelligent, purposeful design, which implies an [[intelligent design]]er;

* [[Teleological argument]]: The universe exhibits overwhelming evidence of deliberate, intelligent, purposeful design, which implies an [[intelligent design]]er;