Irenaeus, Siteadmin, Check users, oversight, Administrators
351,718
edits
Changes
Responding to atheists (view source)
Revision as of 14:15, January 31, 2023
, 14:15, January 31, 2023→Signs of cognitive dissonance in an atheist engaged in a discussion/argument. How to overcome cognitive dissonance in an atheist
<br />
<br />
The book ''The Future of Atheism: Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett in Dialogue'' features a cordial dialogue between Alister McGrath and the atheist [[Daniel Dennett]]. ]]
The book ''The Future of Atheism: Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett in Dialogue'' features a cordial dialogue between Alister McGrath and the atheist [[Daniel Dennett]]. ]]
There are a number of ways to respond to [[Atheism|atheist]] arguments. [[Christianity|Christians]] have done extremely well in Christianity vs. atheism [[debate]]s (see: [[Atheism vs. Christianity debates]]).
There are a number of ways to respond to [[Atheism|atheist]] arguments. [[Christianity|Christians]] have done extremely well in Christianity vs. atheism [[debate]]s (see: [[Atheism vs. Christianity debates]] and [[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]]. If this is not done, the atheist will be resistant to what the believer in God has to say.<ref name="observer.com">[https://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">[https://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>
== Research the matter at hand and have a familiarity with rebuttals to atheism and atheistic arguments ==
== Research the matter at hand and have a familiarity with rebuttals to atheism and atheistic arguments ==
It is important to research the matter at hand and be familiar with the various arguments for the existence of God and rebuttals to atheist arguments (see: [[Arguments for the existence of God]] and [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]]),.
It is important to research the matter at hand and be familiar with the various arguments for the existence of God and rebuttals to atheist arguments (see: [[Arguments for the existence of God]] and [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]]).
== Challenge underlying assumptions/beliefs, unrealistic extrapolations and illogical reasoning ==
== Challenge underlying assumptions/beliefs, unrealistic extrapolations and illogical reasoning ==
One last problem that undermines any propagation of atheism is inspiration. Let's be honest here, "there is no god!" is [[Atheism and inspiration|not a very motivating call]] for most people.<ref name="liberator.net">[http://www.liberator.net/articles/TremblayFrancois/herdingcats.html ''Herding Cats: Why atheism will lose''] by Francois Tremblay</ref>}}
One last problem that undermines any propagation of atheism is inspiration. Let's be honest here, "there is no god!" is [[Atheism and inspiration|not a very motivating call]] for most people.<ref name="liberator.net">[http://www.liberator.net/articles/TremblayFrancois/herdingcats.html ''Herding Cats: Why atheism will lose''] by Francois Tremblay</ref>}}
[[File:Ray Comfort Promo Picture.jpg|left|thumbnail|130px|Ray Comfort]]
[[File:Ray Comfort Promo Picture.jpg|right|thumbnail|130px|Ray Comfort]]
[[Ray Comfort]] says about atheism (which you can share with an atheist):
[[Ray Comfort]] says about atheism (which you can share with an atheist):
{{Cquote|Let’s say that you know an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. To know 100 percent, you would have to know everything. There wouldn’t be a rock in the universe that you would not be intimately familiar with, or a grain of sand that you would not be aware of. You would know everything that has happened in history, from that which is common knowledge to the minor details of the secret love life of Napoleon’s great-grandmother’s black cat’s fleas. You would know every hair of every head, and every thought of every heart. All history would be laid out before you, because you would be omniscient (all-knowing).
{{Cquote|Let’s say that you know an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. To know 100 percent, you would have to know everything. There wouldn’t be a rock in the universe that you would not be intimately familiar with, or a grain of sand that you would not be aware of. You would know everything that has happened in history, from that which is common knowledge to the minor details of the secret love life of Napoleon’s great-grandmother’s black cat’s fleas. You would know every hair of every head, and every thought of every heart. All history would be laid out before you, because you would be omniscient (all-knowing).
There is a considerable body of evidence and argumentation for the existence of God (see: [[Arguments for the existence of God]] and [[Christian apologetics websites|Evidence for Christianity]] and [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]]).
There is a considerable body of evidence and argumentation for the existence of God (see: [[Arguments for the existence of God]] and [[Christian apologetics websites|Evidence for Christianity]] and [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]]).
Theodore Beale wrote:
{{cquote|...we are still in search of an atheist to champion the argument that the logic and evidence for the nonexistence of gods is stronger than [[Logical arguments for the existence of God|the logic and evidence for the existence of gods]]. It is certainly informative to see how many atheists do not appear to believe they are able to effectively make this case; in light of this, many Christians may find this to be a useful tactical approach when confronted by aggressive atheists in the future. This tends to confirm my previous observations that while atheists like to challenge the beliefs of others, they are very ill-prepared, and in [[Atheology#Atheology vs. theism debates|many cases downright unwilling]], to defend their own. So, if you want to shut them up, simply go on the attack. [[Atheism and cowardice|They'll run away with alacrity]].<ref>[https://voxday.net/2011/09/04/he-still-runs-like-gir/ "Running, running"]. Retrieved on May 15, 2015.</ref>}}
=== Atheist Michael Martin on atheistic responses to theistic arguments ===
=== Atheist Michael Martin on atheistic responses to theistic arguments ===
=== Theists surge in philosophy departments and world at large ===
=== Theists surge in philosophy departments and world at large ===
In 2001, the atheist and [[Philosophy|philosopher]] Quentin Smith declared:
In 2001, the atheist and [[Philosophy|philosopher]] Quentin Smith declared: "[[Naturalism|Naturalists]] [atheists] passively watched as realist versions of [[theism]] … began to sweep through the philosophical community, until today perhaps one-quarter or one-third of philosophy professors are theists, with most being orthodox Christians…. God is not 'dead' in academia; he returned to life in the 1960's and is now alive and well in his last academic stronghold, philosophy departments."<ref>Craig, William Lane (2012).[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/theistic-critiques-of-atheism "Theistic critiques of atheism"]. Reasonable Faith. Retrieved on July 26, 2014. Unabridged version of article published 2007. See [[William Lane Craig]].</ref>
The agnostic [[Eric Kaufmann]] wrote in 2010: "Worldwide, the [[Desecularization|march of religion]] can probably only be reversed by a renewed, self-aware secularism. Today, it appears exhausted and lacking in confidence... Secularism's greatest triumphs owe less to science than to popular social movements like nationalism, [[socialism]] and 1960s anarchist-[[liberalism]]. Ironically, secularism's demographic deficit means that it will probably only succeed in the twenty-first century if it can create a secular form of 'religious' enthusiasm." <ref>[http://www.sneps.net/uploadsepk/JQR%20Demography.pdf Shall the religious inherit the earth? - Eric Kaufmann]</ref>
== Signs of cognitive dissonance in an atheist engaged in a discussion/argument. How to overcome cognitive dissonance in an atheist ==
[[File:Freethinkers.jpg|thumbnail|275px|right|Dr. [[Jonathan Sarfati]] is a staff member of [[Creation Ministries International]]. ]]
''See also:'' [[Atheists and cognitive dissonance]] and [[Atheism and dogmatism]] and [[Atheism and open-mindedness]]
[[Cognitive dissonance]] is stress or discomfort caused by simultaneously holding contradictory ideas. Due to the great abundance of evidence for theism, atheists often harbor doubts about the validity of atheism (See: [[Atheists doubting the validity of atheism]] and [[Atheism and its retention rate in individuals]] and [[Denials that atheists exist]]).
Research indicates that atheists tend to be more dogmatic and less open-minded (See: [[Atheism and dogmatism]] and [[Atheism and open-mindedness]]).
Below are signs of [[cognitive dissonance]] in an atheist engaged in a discussion/argument:
*The atheist is unwilling to concede obvious factual points and arguments in favor of [[theism]].
*The atheist mischaracterizes the points/position of a theist - often in a dishonest way. See also: [[Atheism and deception]]
*The atheist myopically focuses on one variable/aspect of a matter rather than looking at the whole issue. See also: [[Fallacy of exclusion]]
*The atheist engages in "mind reading" and baselessly attributes bad intentions in the other party
*The atheist becomes angry - even when not provoked. See also: [[Atheism and anger]]
*Rather than focus on the matter at hand, the person engages in personal attacks and other abusive behavior. See also: [[Ad hominem]] and [[Atheism and mockery]]
=== Overcoming cognitive dissonance in an atheist who has shut down rational thinking ===
Below are techniques to eliminate/overcome cognitive dissonance in an atheist you are having a discussion with:
*Build trust/rapport in the other person through displaying empathy and using humor
== See also ==
== See also ==
== External links ==
== External links ==
*[https://answersingenesis.org/countering-the-culture/responding-to-atheist-propaganda/ Responding to Atheist Propaganda] by [[Answers in Genesis]]
*[https://creation.com/five-concise-responses-to-atheistic-arguments Five concise responses to atheistic arguments]
*[https://creation.com/five-concise-responses-to-atheistic-arguments Five concise responses to atheistic arguments]
*[https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/4-simple-responses-to-science-based-atheism/ 4 Simple Responses to Science-Based Atheism]
*[https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/4-simple-responses-to-science-based-atheism/ 4 Simple Responses to Science-Based Atheism]