Counter-apologetics
Within the endeavor of criticism of religion, counter-apologetics is a field of thought that criticizes religious apologetics.
While religious apologists criticize the defense of other religions, the term counter-apologetics is frequently applied to criticism of religion in general by atheists/agnostics.
The atheist Luke Muehlhauser, defines counter-apologetics as "a response to Christian apologetics...examining the claims and tactics of Christian apologists and then equipping [a thinker] with skeptical responses to them"[3]
Atheist apologetics have been very ineffective. The atheist Sam Harris quipped about William Lane Craig that he was "The one Christian apologist who seems to have put the fear of God into many of my fellow atheists".[4][5]
Luke Muehlhauser wrote:
| “ | As far as I can tell, he has won nearly all his debates with atheists. When debating him, atheists have consistently failed to put forward solid arguments, and consistently failed to point out the flaws in Craig’s arguments...
This is especially embarrassing for atheists because Craig’s arguments and debates are easily available, and he uses the same arguments all the time. So it should be easy for atheists to prepare for a debate with Craig.[6] |
” |
Atheists have performed badly in debates (see: Atheism debates and Atheism vs. Christianity debates).
In 1990, the 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 theistic arguments.[8] Yet, in 1994, Michael Martin was criticized for his eleventh hour cancellation of his debate with Greg Bahnsen (see: Greg Bahnsen and debate and Bahnson-Martin debate press release).[9]
Inadequacy of counter-apologetics
The majority of philosophers of religion, or those who have extensively studied the issue of the existence of God, are theists (72 percent).[10]
There is a considerable body of evidence and argumentation for the existence of God and for the validy of Christianity (see: Arguments for the existence of God and Evidence for Christianity).
On the other hand, atheism and agnosticism lack proof/evidence and are unreasonable (see: Atheism lacks proof and evidence and Rebuttals to atheist arguments and Agnosticism lacks proof/evidence and it is unreasonable).
Shockofgod vs. the counter-apologist Matt Dillahunty
The popular Christian YouTube video maker Shockofgod challenged Texas YouTube atheists Matt Dillahunty and Aron Ra to answer the 15 questions for evolutionists which are featured in Creation Ministries International's Question evolution! campaign.[11] Dillahunty is unable to satisfactorily answer the questions. Previously, Shockofgod and his fans asked Matt Dillahunty to provide "proof and evidence that atheism is accurate and correct" and Dillahunty was unable to do so.[12]
In 2017, Aron Ra wrote to some of his fellow atheists: "...since ya'll have effectively killed what was left of the atheist movement".[13][14]
Numerous atheists have declared that the "atheist movement is dead" or that it is dying (see: Decline of the atheist movement)[15]
Before the atheist movement died/declined, various atheists attempted to change the public's perception concerning atheism, but were largely unsuccessful (see: Attempts to positively rebrand atheism).
See also
Notes
- ↑ William Lane Craig Puts the Fear of God in Atheists, video clip of the William Lane Craig vs. Sam Harris debate
- ↑ The God Debate II: Harris vs. Craig, University of Notre Dame YouTube channel
- ↑ Muehlhauser, Luke (March 26, 2010), "Counter-Apologetics: What is Counter-Apologetics?", Common Sense Atheism (blog)
- ↑ William Lane Craig Puts the Fear of God in Atheists, video clip of the William Lane Craig vs. Sam Harris debate
- ↑ The God Debate II: Harris vs. Craig, University of Notre Dame YouTube channel
- ↑ William Lane Craig’s Debates (Reviews)
- ↑ Bahsen at the Stein debate by John Frame
- ↑ Open Questions: Diverse Thinkers Discuss God, Religion, and Faith by Luís F. Rodrigues, page 201
- ↑ Bahsen at the Stein debate by John Frame
- ↑ Does it matter that many scientists are atheists?
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbmAn3M8r0I
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqNjebKc9rU
- ↑ AronRa Claims Mythcon Killed The Atheist Movement || Facebook Comments
- ↑ [Atheist Aron Ra indicates the atheist movement is dead. Now that that Aron Ra has surrendered....], Examining Atheism
- ↑
- The “Atheism Movement:” Dead or Alive?, Freethought Blogs
- Atheist activist Seth Andrews keeps seeing reports on social media and the media that the atheist movement is dying, Examining Atheism
- Atheist Aron Ra indicates the atheist movement is dead. Now that that Aron Ra has surrendered...., Examining Atheism
- The Day the Atheist Movement Died by Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution
- Jennifer McCreight on Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal destroying the atheist movement, Jen McCreight, Twitter