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Line 31: − + − − The standard definition of atheism given by encyclopedias of philosophy which is the denial of the existence of God is a definition more in accordance with the biblical view of atheism. Specifically, the Bible teaches that the creation clearly testifies of God and the heavens declare the glory of God.(Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1). However, the Bible also states that men suppress the truth in unrighteousness [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201:18;&version=49; (Romans 1:18)]. In short, those who do not acknowledge God are in a active state of denying what is clearly shown by nature. − * What are the conditions under which people deny the existence of God or gods or claim to disbelieve in a God or gods? − + Line 47:
Line 45: − + − + − === Claims of the Conditionality and Nonconditionality of Atheism === − [[Image:Raphael.jpg|right|150px|thumb|[[Plato]] wrote that pressing danger will compel most men to acknowledge divine power.]] − [[Plato]] wrote that "Few men are so obstinate in their atheism, that a pressing danger will not − compel them to the acknowledgement of a divine power."<ref>http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696</ref> Reverend William T. Cummings is famous for stating that "There are no atheists in foxholes."<ref>http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696</ref> Chaplain F.W. Lawson of the 302d Machine Gun Battalion, who was wounded twice in wartime, stated "I doubt if there is such a thing as an atheist. At least there isn't in a front line trench.<ref>http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696</ref> − Although news organization MSNBC featured a story in which atheist veterans claimed that there ''are'' atheists in foxholes,<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14322117/</ref> as previously mentioned, [[Francis Bacon]] wrote: "The [[Bible|Scripture]] saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly believe it, or be persuaded of it....It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man.<ref>http://www.authorama.com/essays-of-francis-bacon-17.html</ref> In addition, the Bible states that "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit."(Proverbs 14:8). Also, there is the previously-mentioned theory of Christian [[philosophy|philosophers]] and [[Christian apologetics|apologists]] [[Cornelius Van Til]] and Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] who argued there are no atheists and that atheists are actively suppressing their belief and knowledge of God and enigmatically engage in self-deception.<ref>http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/PA191.htm</ref> Line 68:
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didn't mean to revert everything all day
== Biblical Statements Regarding Atheism ==
== Biblical Statements Regarding Atheism ==
[[Image:134t.gif|thumb|150px|left|The psalmist [[David]] wrote: "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."]]
[[Image:134t.gif|thumb|200px|left|The psalmist [[David]] wrote: "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."]]
The writers of the Bible considered the existence of God to be self-evident and [[Moses]] simply wrote: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." ([[Genesis]] 1:1). <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/AnswersBook/existence1.asp</ref>
The writers of the Bible considered the existence of God to be self-evident and [[Moses]] simply wrote: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." ([[Genesis]] 1:1). <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/AnswersBook/existence1.asp</ref>
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans that the creation testifies to the existence of God when he wrote the following:
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans that the creation testifies to the existence of God when he wrote the following:
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." - Romans 1:20 (KJV)
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." - [[Romans]] 1:19-20 (NKJV)
==Tenuousness of Atheism in Prominent People Who Claimed to Atheist==
==Tenuousness of Atheism in Prominent People Who Claimed to Atheist==
[[Image:Sartre1.gif|thumb|150px|right|[[Jean-Paul Sartre]]]]
[[Image:Sartre1.gif|thumb|150px|right|[[Jean-Paul Sartre]]]]
In the article, ''Is Atheism Presumptuous''?, atheist [[Jeffery Jay Lowder]], a founder of [[Internet Infidels]], states that "I agree [with Copan] that anyone who claims, "God does not exist," must shoulder a burden of proof just as much as anyone who claims, "God exists." <ref name="DivCon" />
In the article, ''Is Atheism Presumptuous''?, atheist [[Jeffery Jay Lowder]], a founder of [[Internet Infidels]], states that "I agree [with Copan] that anyone who claims, "God does not exist," must shoulder a burden of proof just as much as anyone who claims, "God exists." <ref name="DivCon" />
In short, the attempt to redefine atheism is a merely an attempt to make no assertions so no facts need be offered.<ref name="DivCon" /> The attempt to redefine atheism, however, is not in accordance with the standard definitions of atheism that encyclopedias of philosophy employ which is that atheism is a denial of the existence of God or gods.<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref><ref name="DivCon" />
In short, the attempt to redefine atheism is a merely an attempt to make no assertions so no facts need be offered.<ref name="DivCon" /> The attempt to redefine atheism, however, is not in accordance with the standard definitions of atheism that encyclopedias of philosophy employ which is that atheism is a denial of the existence of God or gods.<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref><ref name="DivCon" />
==Claimed Types of atheism ==
==Claimed Types of atheism ==
There are claimed to be different types of atheism, based on different answers to the following questions:
There are claimed to be different types of atheism, based on different answers to the following questions:
* Why does the atheist deny the existence of God or gods or claim to disbelieve a God or gods exists?
* Why does the atheist deny the existence of God or gods or claim to disbelieve a God or gods exists?
* In what God or gods does the atheist deny or claim to disbelieve?
* In what God or gods does the atheist deny or claim to disbelieve?
* How does this denial or claimed disbelief manifest itself?
* How does this denial or claimed disbelief manifest itself?
=== Stated Reasons for Denial or Claimed Disbelief ===
=== Stated Reasons for Denial or Claimed Disbelief ===
[[Image:Vantil.gif|thumb|150px|left|Christian philosopher and apologist [[Cornelius Van Til]] affirmed there are no atheists.]]
[[Image:Vantil.gif|thumb|150px|left|Christian philosopher and apologist Dr. [[Cornelius Van Til]] affirmed there are no atheists.]]
Atheists state two main reasons for their denial of God or claimed disbelief in God: the claimed conviction that there is positive evidence or argument that God does not exist ([[Strong atheism]]), and the claimed conviction that theists bear the burden of proof to show that God exists, that they have failed to do so, and that belief is therefore unwarranted ([[Weak atheism]]).
Atheists state two main reasons for their denial of God or claimed disbelief in God: the claimed conviction that there is positive evidence or argument that God does not exist ([[Strong atheism]]), and the claimed conviction that theists bear the burden of proof to show that God exists, that they have failed to do so, and that belief is therefore unwarranted ([[Weak atheism]]).
: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." - Romans 1:20 (KJV)
: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." - Romans 1:20 (KJV)
In regards to a biblical statement on atheism [[Francis Bacon]] stated in his essay ''Of Atheism'' the following regarding atheism:
In regards to a biblical statement on atheism Sir [[Francis Bacon]] stated in his essay ''Of Atheism'' the following regarding atheism:
{{cquote|The [[Bible|Scripture]] saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly believe it, or be persuaded of it....It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man.<ref>http://www.authorama.com/essays-of-francis-bacon-17.html</ref>}}
{{cquote|The [[Bible|Scripture]] saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly believe it, or be persuaded of it....It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man.<ref>http://www.authorama.com/essays-of-francis-bacon-17.html</ref>}}
In addition, Christian [[philosophy|philosophers]] and [[Christian apologetics|apologists]] [[Cornelius Van Til]] and Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] argued there are no atheists and that atheists are actively suppressing their belief and knowledge of God and enigmatically engage in self-deception.<ref>http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/PA191.htm</ref> The [[England|English]] poet [[Edward Young]] wrote in his famous work ''Night Thoughts'' that "By night, an atheist half-believes a God."<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/100/224.html</ref>
In addition, Christian [[philosophy|philosophers]] and [[Christian apologetics|apologists]] Dr. [[Cornelius Van Til]] and Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] argued there are no atheists and that atheists are actively suppressing their belief and knowledge of God and enigmatically engage in self-deception.<ref>http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/PA191.htm</ref> The [[England|English]] poet [[Edward Young]] wrote in his famous work ''Night Thoughts'' that "By night, an atheist half-believes a God."<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/100/224.html</ref>
There is also the aforementioned tenuousness of the atheism in Charles Darwin and Jean-Paul Sartre who claimed to be atheists.
There is also the aforementioned tenuousness of the atheism in Charles Darwin and Jean-Paul Sartre who claimed to be atheists.
=== Which god? ===
=== Which god? ===
* Theoretical atheism: atheists who ''claim'' that God does not exist.
* Theoretical atheism: atheists who ''claim'' that God does not exist.
* Practical atheism: atheism of the life - that is, ''living'' as though God does not exist. Dr. [[Martin Luther King]] in his sermon ''A letter to American Christians'' spoke of "practical atheism".<ref>http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2001/cln10117.html</ref>
* Practical atheism: atheism of the life - that is, ''living'' as though God does not exist. Dr. [[Martin Luther King]] in his sermon ''A letter to American Christians'' spoke of "practical atheism".<ref>http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2001/cln10117.html</ref>
== Claims of the Conditionality and Nonconditionality of Atheism ==
[[Image:Raphael.jpg|right|150px|thumb|[[Plato]] wrote that few men when confronted with pressing danger will not acknowledge divine power.]]
[[Plato]] wrote that "Few men are so obstinate in their atheism, that a pressing danger will not
compel them to the acknowledgement of a divine power."<ref>http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696</ref> Reverend William T. Cummings is famous for stating that "There are no atheists in foxholes."<ref>http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696</ref> Chaplain F.W. Lawson of the 302d Machine Gun Battalion, who was wounded twice in wartime, stated "I doubt if there is such a thing as an atheist. At least there isn't in a front line trench.<ref>http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696</ref>
Although news organization MSNBC featured a story in which atheist veterans claimed that there ''are'' atheists in foxholes,<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14322117/</ref> as previously mentioned, Sir [[Francis Bacon]] wrote: "The [[Bible|Scripture]] saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly believe it, or be persuaded of it....It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man.<ref>http://www.authorama.com/essays-of-francis-bacon-17.html</ref> In addition, the Bible states that "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit."(Proverbs 14:8). Also, there is the previously-mentioned theory of Christian [[philosophy|philosophers]] and [[Christian apologetics|apologists]] [[Cornelius Van Til]] and Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] who argued there are no atheists and that atheists are actively suppressing their belief and knowledge of God and enigmatically engage in self-deception.<ref>http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/PA191.htm</ref>'''
==Atheism and [[Communism]] ==
==Atheism and [[Communism]] ==
==Atheism and the Foundation of Modern Science==
==Atheism and the Foundation of Modern Science==
[[Image:Bacon5.jpg|thumb|right|175px|In his essay ''Of Atheism'' [[Francis Bacon]] wrote: "I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the [[Talmud]], and the [[Koran|Alcoran]], than that this universal frame is without a mind."]]
[[Image:Bacon5.jpg|thumb|right|175px|In his essay ''Of Atheism'' Sir [[Francis Bacon]] wrote: "I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the [[Talmud]], and the [[Koran|Alcoran]], than that this universal frame is without a mind."]]
The birth of modern [[science]] occured in Christianized [[Europe]].<ref>http://www.ldolphin.org/bumbulis/#anchor5343749</ref>
The birth of modern [[science]] occured in Christianized [[Europe]].<ref>http://www.ldolphin.org/bumbulis/#anchor5343749</ref>
[[Sociology|Sociologist]] [[Rodney Stark]] investigated the individuals who made the most significant scientific contributions between 1543 and 1680 A.D., the time of the [[Scientific Revolution]].
[[Sociology|Sociologist]] [[Rodney Stark]] investigated the individuals who made the most significant scientific contributions between 1543 and 1680 A.D., the time of the [[Scientific Revolution]].
In Stark's list of 52 top scientific contributors,<ref name="Origins">Williams, Alex,[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1581/ The biblical origins of science], ''Journal of Creation'' 18(2):49–52, August 2004.</ref> only one ([[Edmund Halley]]) was a skeptic and another ([[Paracelsus]]) was a [[pantheism|pantheist]].
In Stark's list of 52 top scientific contributors,<ref name="Origins">Williams, Alex,[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1581/ The biblical origins of science], ''Journal of Creation'' 18(2):49–52, August 2004.</ref> only one ([[Edmund Halley]]) was a skeptic and another ([[Paracelsus]]) was a [[pantheism|pantheist]].
The other 50 were Christians, 30 of whom could be characterized as being devout Christians.<ref name="Origins" />
The other 50 were Christians, 30 of whom could be characterized as being devout Christians.<ref name="Origins" />
[[Francis Bacon]], sometimes referred to as "the Father of Modern Science", wrote: "I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the [[Talmud]], and the [[Koran|Alcoran]], than that this universal frame is without a mind."<ref>Bacon, Francis, [http://www.authorama.com/essays-of-francis-bacon-17.html Of Atheism]</ref>
Sir [[Francis Bacon]], sometimes referred to as "the Father of Modern Science", wrote: "I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the [[Talmud]], and the [[Koran|Alcoran]], than that this universal frame is without a mind."<ref>Bacon, Francis, [http://www.authorama.com/essays-of-francis-bacon-17.html Of Atheism]</ref>
[[Image:Cobb.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Rodney Stark]]]]In ''False conflict: Christianity is not only compatible with Science--it created it'' Stark writes:
[[Image:Cobb.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Rodney Stark]]]]In ''False conflict: Christianity is not only compatible with Science--it created it'' Stark writes: