Difference between revisions of "Atheism and irrationality"

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[[File:113320508 2b86fdb94a.jpg|thumb|201px|right|A common and legitimate criticism of the [[atheist worldview]] is that [[atheism]] is irrational.<ref>[http://carm.org/cut-atheism Atheism] by Matt Slick
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[[File:113320508 2b86fdb94a.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A common and legitimate criticism of the [[atheist worldview]] is that [[atheism]] is irrational.<ref>[http://carm.org/cut-atheism Atheism] by Matt Slick
 
*[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.
 
*[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.
 
*[http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2012/03/21/atheists-dont-own-reason/10924 Atheists don’t own reason] by Tom Gilson
 
*[http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2012/03/21/atheists-dont-own-reason/10924 Atheists don’t own reason] by Tom Gilson
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny  
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny  
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by [[Alvin Plantinga]]  
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by [[Alvin Plantinga]]  
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*''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by [[Vox Day]], Benbella Books, Dallas, TX, 2008'' , ISBN 1933771364; ISBN 978-1933771366
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*''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by Vox Day, Benbella Books, Dallas, TX, 2008'' , ISBN 1933771364; ISBN 978-1933771366
 
</ref> ]]
 
</ref> ]]
 
A common and legitimate criticism of the [[atheist worldview]] is that [[atheism]] is irrational.<ref>[http://carm.org/cut-atheism Atheism] by Matt Slick
 
A common and legitimate criticism of the [[atheist worldview]] is that [[atheism]] is irrational.<ref>[http://carm.org/cut-atheism Atheism] by Matt Slick
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* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny  
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny  
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by [[Alvin Plantinga]]  
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by [[Alvin Plantinga]]  
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*''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by [[Vox Day]], Benbella Books, Dallas, TX, 2008'' , ISBN 1933771364; ISBN 978-1933771366
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*''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by Vox Day, Benbella Books, Dallas, TX, 2008'' , ISBN 1933771364; ISBN 978-1933771366
 
</ref> In short, atheism is a fundamentally incoherent worldview with a number of inconsistencies.<ref>
 
</ref> In short, atheism is a fundamentally incoherent worldview with a number of inconsistencies.<ref>
 
*[http://grayknight.hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-Atheist-Inconsistencies 10 atheist inconsistencies]
 
*[http://grayknight.hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-Atheist-Inconsistencies 10 atheist inconsistencies]
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*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4K_WZpIkM4 William Lane Craig on Scientific Naturalism] - video
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4K_WZpIkM4 William Lane Craig on Scientific Naturalism] - video
 
*[http://www.scottmsullivan.com/why-atheism-is-incoherent/ Why atheism is inconsistent] by Dr. Scott Sullivan (podcast),  August 19th, 2014
 
*[http://www.scottmsullivan.com/why-atheism-is-incoherent/ Why atheism is inconsistent] by Dr. Scott Sullivan (podcast),  August 19th, 2014
 
*[http://vimeo.com/102663614 The Summit Lecture Series: Scientific Naturalism Worldview with J.P. Moreland, part 1]
 
*[http://vimeo.com/102663614 The Summit Lecture Series: Scientific Naturalism Worldview with J.P. Moreland, part 1]
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*[http://vimeo.com/103865278 The Summit Lecture Series: Scientific Naturalism with J.P. Moreland, part 3]
 
*[http://vimeo.com/103865278 The Summit Lecture Series: Scientific Naturalism with J.P. Moreland, part 3]
 
*[http://vimeo.com/105068126 The Summit Lecture Series: Scientific Naturalism Worldview with J.P. Moreland, part 4]
 
*[http://vimeo.com/105068126 The Summit Lecture Series: Scientific Naturalism Worldview with J.P. Moreland, part 4]
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*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6cTlDn4PiU The Incoherence of Atheism] - video by [[Ravi Zacharias]]
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6cTlDn4PiU The Incoherence of Atheism] - video by [[Ravi Zacharias]]
 
*[http://justandsinner.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-incoherence-of-atheism.html The incoherence of atheism]
 
*[http://justandsinner.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-incoherence-of-atheism.html The incoherence of atheism]
 
*[http://ephesians4-15.blogspot.com/2012/11/more-on-inconsistent-atheists.html More on inconsistent atheists]
 
*[http://ephesians4-15.blogspot.com/2012/11/more-on-inconsistent-atheists.html More on inconsistent atheists]
 
*''The Atheist's Fatal Flaw: Exposing Conflicting Beliefs'' by [[Norman Geisler]] and Daniel J. McCoy, Baker Publishing Group, June 2014
 
*''The Atheist's Fatal Flaw: Exposing Conflicting Beliefs'' by [[Norman Geisler]] and Daniel J. McCoy, Baker Publishing Group, June 2014
 
</ref> See also: [[Atheism and critical thinking]]
 
</ref> See also: [[Atheism and critical thinking]]
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== Atheism, irrationality and open-mindedness ==
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and open-mindedness]] and [[Atheism and dogmatism]] and [[Atheism and intolerance]] and [[Atheism and groupthink]]
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Making intelligent choices using [[critical thinking]] often requires open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/eleven-common-traits-of-highly-intelligent-people-a7480246.html Eleven common traits of highly intelligent people] by Shana Lebowicz, The Independent, Friday 16 December 2016 18:24</ref>
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Research indicates that [[atheism|atheists]] are less open-minded (see: [[Atheism and open-mindedness]]).
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The atheist [[Luke Muehlhauser]] wrote about [[atheism and dogmatism]]:
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{{Cquote|...I am reminded every day that we atheists are not particularly more rational than believers... We, too, abandon reason and evidence to support opinions that just 'feel right' to us."
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I was reminded of this a few hundred times during the week when I asked atheists to explain what was wrong with my [July 16, 2010] post. A few people gestured toward a kind of argument, but it was clear they were more interested to condemn me than they were to work through the logic of the ethical issues at play.
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Most of my critics made little attempt to understand what I had said. Instead, they blatantly misrepresented my stated positions so that they could smear me.
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Others admitted freely they didn’t care about the arguments involved, they just knew that they knew that they knew I was wrong...
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<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/07/i_have_been_objectified.php Atheism and Dogmatism] by  Luke Muehlhauser] at Commonsenseatheism.com</ref>}}
  
 
== Atheistic worldview cannot account for the laws of logic ==
 
== Atheistic worldview cannot account for the laws of logic ==
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*[https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/atheism/atheism-an-irrational-worldview/ Atheism: An irrational worldview] by Dr. Jason Lisle on October 10, 2007
 
*[https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/atheism/atheism-an-irrational-worldview/ Atheism: An irrational worldview] by Dr. Jason Lisle on October 10, 2007
 
*[http://carm.org/christian-worldview-atheist-worldview-and-logic The Christian Worldview, the Atheist Worldview, and Logic] by Matt Slick
 
*[http://carm.org/christian-worldview-atheist-worldview-and-logic The Christian Worldview, the Atheist Worldview, and Logic] by Matt Slick
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*[http://answersforhope.org/portfolio_item/can-atheism-coherently-explain-the-laws-of-logic/  Can Atheism Coherently Explain the Laws of Logic?] by Answers for Hope
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160807221254/http://answersforhope.org/can-atheism-coherently-explain-the-laws-of-logic/  Can Atheism Coherently Explain the Laws of Logic?] by Answers for Hope
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1hSx2evTGM The Great Debate: Does God Exist?] (YouTube video) or [http://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/greg-bahnsen-vs-gordon-stein-the-great-debate/ "The Great Debate: Does God Exist?"] - Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] versus Dr. Gordon Stein - Audio of a formal debate between Christian Greg Bahnsen and skeptic Gordon Stein at the University of California, Irvine.</ref>
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1hSx2evTGM The Great Debate: Does God Exist?] (YouTube video) or [http://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/greg-bahnsen-vs-gordon-stein-the-great-debate/ "The Great Debate: Does God Exist?"] - Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] versus Dr. Gordon Stein - Audio of a formal debate between Christian Greg Bahnsen and skeptic Gordon Stein at the University of California, Irvine.</ref>
  
 
== Atheist worldview cannot explain consciousness ==
 
== Atheist worldview cannot explain consciousness ==
  
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and transhumanism]] and [[Atheism and cryonics]]
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''See also:'' [[Origin of human consciousness]] and [[Atheism and transhumanism]] and [[Atheism and cryonics]]
  
 
The atheist worldview cannot explain the existence of [[consciousness]] either and the [[theism|theistic]] worldview can offer a reasonable explanation.<ref>[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2012/03/argument-from-consciousness-for.html The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God] by John Piippo, 3/20/2012
 
The atheist worldview cannot explain the existence of [[consciousness]] either and the [[theism|theistic]] worldview can offer a reasonable explanation.<ref>[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2012/03/argument-from-consciousness-for.html The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God] by John Piippo, 3/20/2012
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*[http://neurologism.com/2013/12/11/will-we-ever-be-able-to-upload-our-minds-to-a-computer/ Will we ever be able to upload our minds to a computer?]
 
*[http://neurologism.com/2013/12/11/will-we-ever-be-able-to-upload-our-minds-to-a-computer/ Will we ever be able to upload our minds to a computer?]
 
*[http://io9.com/you-ll-probably-never-upload-your-mind-into-a-computer-474941498 You Might Never Upload Your Brain Into a Computer] by George Dvorsky posted at 4/17/13 12:02pm at io9.com
 
*[http://io9.com/you-ll-probably-never-upload-your-mind-into-a-computer-474941498 You Might Never Upload Your Brain Into a Computer] by George Dvorsky posted at 4/17/13 12:02pm at io9.com
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*[http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/06/24/whats-the-likelihood-of-the-singularity-part-two-uploading-the-brain/ What's the Likelihood of the Singularity? Part Two: Uploading the Brain] by Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6/24/2011</ref>
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*[https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/06/24/whats-the-likelihood-of-the-singularity-part-two-uploading-the-brain/ What's the Likelihood of the Singularity? Part Two: Uploading the Brain] by Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6/24/2011</ref>
  
 
== Naturalism is incompatible with reason ==
 
== Naturalism is incompatible with reason ==
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''See also:'' [[Irreligion and superstition]]
 
''See also:'' [[Irreligion and superstition]]
  
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[[Image:2384975035_230a0eac30.jpg‎‎|thumb|left|170px|The [[Wall Street Journal]] reported: "A comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, shows ...that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to [[superstition]], tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in [[pseudoscience]] than evangelical Christians."<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html</ref>]]
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[[Image:2384975035_230a0eac30.jpg‎‎|thumb|right|170px|The [[Wall Street Journal]] reported: "A comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, shows ...that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to [[superstition]], tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in [[pseudoscience]] than evangelical Christians."<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html</ref>]]
 
In September 2008, the [[Wall Street Journal]] reported:
 
In September 2008, the [[Wall Street Journal]] reported:
 
{{cquote|The reality is that the [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] campaign, by discouraging [[religion]], won't create a new group of intelligent, skeptical, enlightened beings. Far from it: It might actually encourage new levels of mass [[superstition]]. And that's not a conclusion to take on faith -- it's what the empirical data tell us.
 
{{cquote|The reality is that the [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] campaign, by discouraging [[religion]], won't create a new group of intelligent, skeptical, enlightened beings. Far from it: It might actually encourage new levels of mass [[superstition]]. And that's not a conclusion to take on faith -- it's what the empirical data tell us.
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For more information, please see: [[Irreligion and superstition]]
 
For more information, please see: [[Irreligion and superstition]]
  
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== Formal debates and the lack of confidence of the atheist community ==
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== Atheists commonly use logical fallacies in their arguments ==
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 +
Atheists commonly use [[logical fallacy|logical fallacies]] in their arguments.<ref>
 +
*[http://pastorbrianchilton.wordpress.com/2014/07/28/33-logical-fallacies-everyone-should-know/ Fallacies everyone should know] - Pastor Chilton explains various logical fallacies and gives some examples of atheists using them
 +
*[http://atheism-analyzed.blogspot.com/2011/12/ten-fallacies-of-atheism.html Ten fallacies of atheism]
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*[http://citizenfitz09.blogspot.com/2012/11/some-atheistic-logical-fallacies.html Atheistic logical fallacies]
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*[http://atheism-analyzed.blogspot.com/2011/12/ten-fallacies-of-atheism.html Ten fallacies of atheism]
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*[http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/look-both-ways-two-atheistic-logical-fallacies Look Both Ways: Two Atheistic Logical Fallacies]</ref> 
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One of the most common [[logical fallacy|logical fallacies]] atheists, [[agnosticism|agnostics]] and [[evolution]]ists employ is the [[fallacy of exclusion]].  For example, the [[evolution]]ist Dr. Scott Todd, an immunologist at [[Kansas State University]], wrote: "Even if all the data point to an [[intelligent design]]er, such an hypothesis is excluded from science because it is not [[naturalism|naturalistic]]".<ref>https://creation.com/a-designer-is-unscientificeven-if-all-the-evidence-supports-one</ref> See: [[Methodological naturalism]] and [[Atheism and naturalistic intelligence]]
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 +
List of logical fallacies that atheists commonly commit: [[Atheism and logical fallacies]]
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 +
== Debates and the lack of confidence of atheists ==
  
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism debates]]
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism debates]]
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Despite atheists commonly adopting pretentious monikers such as rationalist, freethinker and brights (see: [[Atheism and arrogance]]), in recent years there has been a number of conspicuous examples of atheists showing a reluctance to intellectually defend atheism in formal debate (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]).
 
Despite atheists commonly adopting pretentious monikers such as rationalist, freethinker and brights (see: [[Atheism and arrogance]]), in recent years there has been a number of conspicuous examples of atheists showing a reluctance to intellectually defend atheism in formal debate (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]).
  
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As far as atheists lacking courage, in 2010, Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]], who specializes in religion/irreligion/demographics/politics, wrote:  
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As far as atheists lacking confidence, in 2010, Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]], who specializes in religion/irreligion/demographics/politics, wrote:  
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{{cquote|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 [[Global atheism|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>}}
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{{cquote|Worldwide, the [[Desecularization|march of religion]] can probably only be reversed by a renewed, self-aware secularism. Today, it appears [[Decline of the atheist movement|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 [[Global atheism|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>}}
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
  
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*[http://carm.org/cut-atheism Atheism] by Matt Slick
 
*[http://carm.org/cut-atheism Atheism] by Matt Slick
 
*[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''
 
*[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''
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*[http://creation.com/atheism-is-more-rational Atheism is more rational?]
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*[https://creation.com/atheism-is-more-rational Atheism is more rational?]
 
*[http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2012/03/21/atheists-dont-own-reason/10924 Atheists don’t own reason] by Tom Gilson
 
*[http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2012/03/21/atheists-dont-own-reason/10924 Atheists don’t own reason] by Tom Gilson
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*[http://creation.com/christianity-as-progress Christianity as progress: A review of ''The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success'' by Rodney Stark]
+
*[https://creation.com/christianity-as-progress Christianity as progress: A review of ''The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success'' by Rodney Stark]
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny  
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny  
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by [[Alvin Plantinga]]  
 
* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by [[Alvin Plantinga]]  
−
*''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by [[Vox Day]]
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*''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by Vox Day
 
*[http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2008/08/naturalisms-hot.html Naturalism's Hot Water]
 
*[http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2008/08/naturalisms-hot.html Naturalism's Hot Water]
 
<br />
 
<br />
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<br />
 
<br />
 
=== Transcendental argument for the existence of God ===
 
=== Transcendental argument for the existence of God ===
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[[Image:Bahnsen.jpg‎|thumb|200px|Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] became known as "the man [[atheism|atheists]] fear most" due to [[Michael Martin]]'s [[Press release concerning Michael Martin pulling out of Martin-Bahnsen debate|cancellation]] of their scheduled debate.<ref>[http://simpleapologetics.com/thegreatdebate.html The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein]</ref>]]
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[[Image:Bahnsen.jpg‎|thumb|200px|Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] became known as "the man [[atheism|atheists]] fear most" due to [[Michael Martin]]'s [[Press release concerning Michael Martin pulling out of Martin-Bahnsen debate|cancellation]] of their scheduled debate.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O1gPpUMzcEQC&pg=PA286&lpg=PA286&dq=%22the+man+atheists+fear+most%22+bahnsen&source=bl&ots=PyGQBd8Xrl&sig=ACfU3U1DpS53GaAc_ZfKLnfD6jrP1gozDQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQqrLRu6vgAhXIqlkKHfuaBcQQ6AEwCHoECAAQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22the%20man%20atheists%20fear%20most%22%20bahnsen&f=false Pushing the Antithesis] on Greg Bahnsen</ref>]]
 
''See also:'' [[Transcendental argument for the existence of God]]
 
''See also:'' [[Transcendental argument for the existence of God]]
  
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*[http://www.gotquestions.org/transcendental-argument.html What is the transcendental argument for the existence of God?]
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*[https://www.gotquestions.org/transcendental-argument.html What is the transcendental argument for the existence of God?]
 
*[http://www.reformed.org/apologetics/index.html?mainframe=/apologetics/martin_TAG.html Responses to Atheist Philosopher, Michael Martin]
 
*[http://www.reformed.org/apologetics/index.html?mainframe=/apologetics/martin_TAG.html Responses to Atheist Philosopher, Michael Martin]
 
*[http://www.calvin.edu/academic/philosophy/virtual_library/articles/plantinga_alvin/naturalism_defeated.pdf Naturalism Defeated] A recent transcendental argument by [[Alvin Plantinga]].
 
*[http://www.calvin.edu/academic/philosophy/virtual_library/articles/plantinga_alvin/naturalism_defeated.pdf Naturalism Defeated] A recent transcendental argument by [[Alvin Plantinga]].
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==== Debates on the transcendental argument for the existence of God ====
 
==== Debates on the transcendental argument for the existence of God ====
  
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* [http://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/greg-bahnsen-vs-gordon-stein-the-great-debate/ "The Great Debate: Does God Exist?"] or [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1hSx2evTGM The Great Debate: Does God Exist?] (YouTube video) - Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] versus Dr. Gordon Stein - Audio of a formal debate between Christian Greg Bahnsen and skeptic Gordon Stein at the University of California, Irvine.
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* [http://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/greg-bahnsen-vs-gordon-stein-the-great-debate/ "The Great Debate: Does God Exist?"] or [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1hSx2evTGM The Great Debate: Does God Exist?] (YouTube video) - Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] versus Dr. Gordon Stein - Audio of a formal debate between Christian Greg Bahnsen and skeptic Gordon Stein at the University of California, Irvine.
 
* [http://www.frame-poythress.org/debate-with-michael-martin-on-the-transcendental-argument-for-the-non-existence-of-god/ The Martin-Frame Debate] A written debate between skeptic [[Michael Martin]] and Christian John Frame on the transcendental argument for the existence of God.
 
* [http://www.frame-poythress.org/debate-with-michael-martin-on-the-transcendental-argument-for-the-non-existence-of-god/ The Martin-Frame Debate] A written debate between skeptic [[Michael Martin]] and Christian John Frame on the transcendental argument for the existence of God.
 
* [http://reformed.org/webfiles/antithesis/v2n4/ "Is Non-Christian Thought Futile?"] A written debate between Christian Doug Jones and skeptics Keith Parsons and Michael Martin in ''Antithesis'' magazine (vol. 2, no. 4).
 
* [http://reformed.org/webfiles/antithesis/v2n4/ "Is Non-Christian Thought Futile?"] A written debate between Christian Doug Jones and skeptics Keith Parsons and Michael Martin in ''Antithesis'' magazine (vol. 2, no. 4).
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[[File:4335281098 237ce959bd.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|"The heavens are telling of the glory of [[God]]. And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1 NASB)]]
 
[[File:4335281098 237ce959bd.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|"The heavens are telling of the glory of [[God]]. And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1 NASB)]]
 +
 
=== Existence of the universe ===
 
=== Existence of the universe ===
  
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*[http://www.creationencounter.com/space/lawsofscience.php Can the laws of science explain the origin of the universe?]  
 
*[http://www.creationencounter.com/space/lawsofscience.php Can the laws of science explain the origin of the universe?]  
  
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*[http://creation.com/god-created-not-quantum-fluctuation In the beginning God created—or was it a quantum fluctuation?]  
+
*[https://creation.com/god-created-not-quantum-fluctuation In the beginning God created—or was it a quantum fluctuation?]  
  
 
*[http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2011/03/why-is-there-something-rather-than-nothing-the-only-six-options/ Why is There Something Rather than Nothing? The Only Six Options]  
 
*[http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2011/03/why-is-there-something-rather-than-nothing-the-only-six-options/ Why is There Something Rather than Nothing? The Only Six Options]  
Line 168: Line 200:
 
*[http://neurologism.com/2013/12/11/will-we-ever-be-able-to-upload-our-minds-to-a-computer/ Will we ever be able to upload our minds to a computer?]
 
*[http://neurologism.com/2013/12/11/will-we-ever-be-able-to-upload-our-minds-to-a-computer/ Will we ever be able to upload our minds to a computer?]
 
*[http://io9.com/you-ll-probably-never-upload-your-mind-into-a-computer-474941498 You Might Never Upload Your Brain Into a Computer] by George Dvorsky posted at 4/17/13 12:02pm at io9.com
 
*[http://io9.com/you-ll-probably-never-upload-your-mind-into-a-computer-474941498 You Might Never Upload Your Brain Into a Computer] by George Dvorsky posted at 4/17/13 12:02pm at io9.com
−
*[http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/06/24/whats-the-likelihood-of-the-singularity-part-two-uploading-the-brain/ What's the Likelihood of the Singularity? Part Two: Uploading the Brain] by Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6/24/2011  
+
*[https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/06/24/whats-the-likelihood-of-the-singularity-part-two-uploading-the-brain/ What's the Likelihood of the Singularity? Part Two: Uploading the Brain] by Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6/24/2011  
  
 
<br />
 
<br />
Line 183: Line 215:
 
<br />
 
<br />
  
−
=== Atheism and incoherence and inconsistencies ===
+
=== Atheism and inconsistencies ===
−
[[File:JP Moreland.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|J.P. Moreland]]
+
[[File:JP Moreland.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[J.P. Moreland]] ]]
−
*[http://grayknight.hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-Atheist-Inconsistencies 10 atheist inconsistencies]
+
 
−
*[http://www.scottmsullivan.com/why-atheism-is-incoherent/ Why atheism is inconsistent] by Dr. Scott Sullivan (podcast),  August 19, 2014
+
−
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6cTlDn4PiU The Incoherence of Atheism] - video by [[Ravi Zacharias]]
+
−
*[http://justandsinner.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-incoherence-of-atheism.html The incoherence of atheism]
+
−
*[http://ephesians4-15.blogspot.com/2012/11/more-on-inconsistent-atheists.html More on inconsistent atheists]
+
−
<br />
+
 
'''Incoherence/inconsistency of naturalism:'''
 
'''Incoherence/inconsistency of naturalism:'''
  
Line 208: Line 235:
 
=== Logic and theism/creation ===
 
=== Logic and theism/creation ===
  
−
*[http://creation.com/loving-god-with-all-your-mind-logic-and-creation Loving God with all your mind: Logic and creation] by Jonathan D. Sarfati
+
*[https://creation.com/loving-god-with-all-your-mind-logic-and-creation Loving God with all your mind: Logic and creation] by Jonathan D. Sarfati
−
*[http://creation.com/who-created-god Who created God: It's an illogical question] by Dr. Don Batten
+
*[https://creation.com/who-created-god Who created God: It's an illogical question] by Dr. Don Batten
−
*[http://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan D. Sarfati
+
*[https://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan D. Sarfati
−
*[http://creation.com/the-rules-of-the-game Rules of the game] by Dr. [[Carl Wieland]]
+
*[https://creation.com/the-rules-of-the-game Rules of the game] by Dr. [[Carl Wieland]]
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
=== Common logical fallacies that atheists employ ===
 
=== Common logical fallacies that atheists employ ===
Line 227: Line 254:
 
=== Videos ===
 
=== Videos ===
  
−
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yNhiDQ9lvc Proof atheism is madness - this is hilarious!!]  
+
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yNhiDQ9lvc Proof atheism is madness - this is hilarious!!]  
−
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvxSsYRPIWM Ex-Atheist conquers atheist experience show exposing the madness of atheism]
+
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvxSsYRPIWM Ex-Atheist conquers atheist experience show exposing the madness of atheism]
−
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcR6uceEEag Atheist Matt Dillahunty proves atheism is madness]
+
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcR6uceEEag Atheist Matt Dillahunty proves atheism is madness]
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfJCzGRWSFo Atheism is Irrational - The Crazy Atheists Compilation]
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfJCzGRWSFo Atheism is Irrational - The Crazy Atheists Compilation]
 +
 +
== Incoherence of atheism ==
 +
 +
''See also:'' [[Atheism and incoherency]]
 +
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-aIVK9CEs8 The incoherence of atheism] by [[Greg Bahnsen]]
 +
 +
*[http://www.cbn.com/special/apologetics/articles/Practical-impossibility-of-atheism.aspx The practical impossibility of atheism] by [[William Lane Craig]]
 +
 +
*[https://scottmsullivan.com/why-atheism-is-incoherent/ Why atheism is incoherent] by Dr. Scott M. Sullivan
 +
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oznv9SSQcy8 The incoherence of atheism] by [[Ravi Zacharias]]
 +
 +
*[https://jamesbishopblog.com/2018/11/23/3-major-practical-inconsistencies-of-atheism/ 3 major practical inconsistencies of atheism]
 +
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxwjTcPW_78 The logical incoherency of atheist Sam Harris] by William Lane Craig
 +
 +
*[http://www.lawofliberty.com/articles/Resources/inconsistenciesofatheism.pdf Inconsistencies of atheism]
 +
 +
*[https://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/breakpoint/the-moral-incoherence-of-atheism.html The moral incoherence of atheism]
  
 
== Brain studies of atheists ==
 
== Brain studies of atheists ==
Line 241: Line 288:
  
 
*[[Atheism and reason]]
 
*[[Atheism and reason]]
 +
*[[Atheists and unreasonableness]]
 +
*[[Atheism and knowledge]]
 +
*[[Atheism and gullibility|Atheism and naiveté/gullibility]]
 
*[[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]]
 
*[[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]]
 
*[[Atheism and logical fallacies]]
 
*[[Atheism and logical fallacies]]
Line 246: Line 296:
 
*[[Atheism and postmodernism]]
 
*[[Atheism and postmodernism]]
 
*[[Atheism and free will]]
 
*[[Atheism and free will]]
−
*[[Atheism and the no true Scotsman fallacy]]
 
 
*[[Atheism and truth]]
 
*[[Atheism and truth]]
 
*[[Atheism and meaninglessness]]
 
*[[Atheism and meaninglessness]]
 
*[[Atheism and epistemology]]
 
*[[Atheism and epistemology]]
 +
*[[Atheism, divorce, addiction, sexual satisfaction, social skills, dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes, and irrationality]]
 
*[[Christian apologetics websites|Evidence for Christianity]]
 
*[[Christian apologetics websites|Evidence for Christianity]]
 
*[[Atheist hypocrisy]]
 
*[[Atheist hypocrisy]]
 
*[[Evolution, Liberalism, Atheism, and Irrationality]]
 
*[[Evolution, Liberalism, Atheism, and Irrationality]]
 
*[[Causes of atheism]]
 
*[[Causes of atheism]]
−
*[[Atheism and intelligence]]
+
*[[The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."]]
 +
*[[Conservatism and rationality]]
  
 
== Books ==
 
== Books ==
  
 
*''The Atheist's Fatal Flaw: Exposing Conflicting Beliefs'' by [[Norman Geisler]] and Daniel J. McCoy, Baker Publishing Group, June 2014
 
*''The Atheist's Fatal Flaw: Exposing Conflicting Beliefs'' by [[Norman Geisler]] and Daniel J. McCoy, Baker Publishing Group, June 2014
−
*''[http://www.amazon.com/The-Irrational-Atheist-Dissecting-Hitchens/dp/1933771364 The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, And Hitchens]'' by [[Vox Day]], March 11, 2008
+
*''[https://www.amazon.com/The-Irrational-Atheist-Dissecting-Hitchens/dp/1933771364 The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, And Hitchens]'' by Vox Day, March 11, 2008
 
*''The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success'' by Rodney Stark, September 26, 2006
 
*''The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success'' by Rodney Stark, September 26, 2006
 
*''C. S. Lewis's Dangerous Idea: In Defense of the Argument from Reason'' by Victor Reppert  
 
*''C. S. Lewis's Dangerous Idea: In Defense of the Argument from Reason'' by Victor Reppert  
 
*''C. S. Lewis and the Crisis of a Christian'' by Gregory S. Cootsona, September 26, 2014
 
*''C. S. Lewis and the Crisis of a Christian'' by Gregory S. Cootsona, September 26, 2014
 +
 +
== External links ==
 +
 +
*[http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by Alvin Plantinga
 +
 +
*[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/video/2017/jan/25/atheists-youre-not-as-rational-as-you-think-video Atheists: you're not as rational as you think] – video, ''The Guardian''
 +
 +
*[https://www.bethinking.org/does-science-disprove-god/the-delusion-of-atheists The Delusions of Atheists]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 15:56, February 19, 2024

A common and legitimate criticism of the atheist worldview is that atheism is irrational.[1]

A common and legitimate criticism of the atheist worldview is that atheism is irrational.[2] In short, atheism is a fundamentally incoherent worldview with a number of inconsistencies.[3] See also: Atheism and critical thinking

Atheism, irrationality and open-mindedness

See also: Atheism and open-mindedness and Atheism and dogmatism and Atheism and intolerance and Atheism and groupthink

Making intelligent choices using critical thinking often requires open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity.[4]

Research indicates that atheists are less open-minded (see: Atheism and open-mindedness).

The atheist Luke Muehlhauser wrote about atheism and dogmatism:

“ ...I am reminded every day that we atheists are not particularly more rational than believers... We, too, abandon reason and evidence to support opinions that just 'feel right' to us."

I was reminded of this a few hundred times during the week when I asked atheists to explain what was wrong with my [July 16, 2010] post. A few people gestured toward a kind of argument, but it was clear they were more interested to condemn me than they were to work through the logic of the ethical issues at play.

Most of my critics made little attempt to understand what I had said. Instead, they blatantly misrepresented my stated positions so that they could smear me.

Others admitted freely they didn’t care about the arguments involved, they just knew that they knew that they knew I was wrong... [5]

”

Atheistic worldview cannot account for the laws of logic

See also: Atheism and logic and Transcendental argument for the existence of God

The atheistic worldview cannot account for the laws of logic (See: Atheism and logic).[6]

Atheist worldview cannot explain consciousness

See also: Origin of human consciousness and Atheism and transhumanism and Atheism and cryonics

The atheist worldview cannot explain the existence of consciousness either and the theistic worldview can offer a reasonable explanation.[7]

Atheist advocates of mind uploading (Mind uploading is the notion that someday mankind may be able to scan and upload their minds to computer storage mediums) are often strong advocates of cryonics as well (See also: Atheism and cryonics).[8] Mind uploading is not a feasible hypothesis (See: Atheism and transhumanism).[9]

Naturalism is incompatible with reason

See also: Atheism and reason and Causes of atheism and Atheist mindset

If naturalism is true, then we ought not to trust our capacity for reason for the human brain would be a byproduct of blind/unintelligent natural forces. [10] Naturalism and reason are incompatible.[11] Therefore, believing in naturalism is self-defeating.

Irreligion and superstition

See also: Irreligion and superstition

The Wall Street Journal reported: "A comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, shows ...that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to superstition, tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in pseudoscience than evangelical Christians."[12]

In September 2008, the Wall Street Journal reported:

“ The reality is that the New Atheist campaign, by discouraging religion, won't create a new group of intelligent, skeptical, enlightened beings. Far from it: It might actually encourage new levels of mass superstition. And that's not a conclusion to take on faith -- it's what the empirical data tell us.

"What Americans Really Believe," a comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, shows that traditional Christian religion greatly decreases belief in everything from the efficacy of palm readers to the usefulness of astrology. It also shows that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to superstition, tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in pseudoscience than evangelical Christians....

This is not a new finding. In his 1983 book "The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener," skeptic and science writer Martin Gardner cited the decline of traditional religious belief among the better educated as one of the causes for an increase in pseudoscience, cults and superstition. He referenced a 1980 study published in the magazine Skeptical Inquirer that showed irreligious college students to be by far the most likely to embrace paranormal beliefs, while born-again Christian college students were the least likely.[13]

”

For more information, please see: Irreligion and superstition

Atheists commonly use logical fallacies in their arguments

Atheists commonly use logical fallacies in their arguments.[14]

One of the most common logical fallacies atheists, agnostics and evolutionists employ is the fallacy of exclusion. For example, the evolutionist Dr. Scott Todd, an immunologist at Kansas State University, wrote: "Even if all the data point to an intelligent designer, such an hypothesis is excluded from science because it is not naturalistic".[15] See: Methodological naturalism and Atheism and naturalistic intelligence

List of logical fallacies that atheists commonly commit: Atheism and logical fallacies

Debates and the lack of confidence of atheists

See also: Atheism debates

Despite atheists commonly adopting pretentious monikers such as rationalist, freethinker and brights (see: Atheism and arrogance), in recent years there has been a number of conspicuous examples of atheists showing a reluctance to intellectually defend atheism in formal debate (see: Atheism and cowardice).

As far as atheists lacking confidence, in 2010, Professor Eric Kaufmann, who specializes in religion/irreligion/demographics/politics, wrote:

“ Worldwide, the 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."[16] ”

Irrationality of the atheism and the logic of belief in the existence of God

General articles:


Atheism and the laws of logic


Transcendental argument for the existence of God

Dr. Greg Bahnsen became known as "the man atheists fear most" due to Michael Martin's cancellation of their scheduled debate.[17]

See also: Transcendental argument for the existence of God


Debates on the transcendental argument for the existence of God


"The heavens are telling of the glory of God. And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1 NASB)

Existence of the universe


Argument from contingency


Existence of consciousness


Mind uploading: Wishful atheist thinking

Mind uploading is the notion that someday mankind may be able to scan and upload their minds to mechanical storage mediums. Mind loading is not feasible. According to the Oxford University philosopher Nick Bostrum, the notion that one can upload one's mind into into mechanical storage mediums has its roots in atheistic/secular humanism and evolutionary ideologies.[18] The atheist, evolutionist and eugenicist Julian Huxley coined the term transhumanism.[19] See: Atheism and transhumanism


Information on the unfeasibility of mind uploading:


C.S. Lewis's argument for reason and for the irrationality of materialism


Atheism and inconsistencies

J.P. Moreland

Incoherence/inconsistency of naturalism:

4 part series by Dr. J.P. Moreland


Articles relating to postmodernism and non-theistic Buddhism


Logic and theism/creation


Common logical fallacies that atheists employ


Videos

Incoherence of atheism

See also: Atheism and incoherency

Brain studies of atheists

Brain researchers have conducted a number of studies focusing on the differences between atheists and the religious. See: Atheism and the brain

See also: Atheism and the brain

Brain researchers have conducted a number of studies focusing on the differences between atheists and the religious (see: Atheism and the brain).

See also

Books

  • The Atheist's Fatal Flaw: Exposing Conflicting Beliefs by Norman Geisler and Daniel J. McCoy, Baker Publishing Group, June 2014
  • The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, And Hitchens by Vox Day, March 11, 2008
  • The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success by Rodney Stark, September 26, 2006
  • C. S. Lewis's Dangerous Idea: In Defense of the Argument from Reason by Victor Reppert
  • C. S. Lewis and the Crisis of a Christian by Gregory S. Cootsona, September 26, 2014

External links

References

  1. ↑ Atheism by Matt Slick
  2. ↑ Atheism by Matt Slick
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ Eleven common traits of highly intelligent people by Shana Lebowicz, The Independent, Friday 16 December 2016 18:24
  5. ↑ Atheism and Dogmatism by Luke Muehlhauser] at Commonsenseatheism.com
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God by John Piippo, 3/20/2012
  8. ↑ Mind uploading - Thought experiments as knowledge
  9. ↑
  10. ↑
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html
  13. ↑ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ https://creation.com/a-designer-is-unscientificeven-if-all-the-evidence-supports-one
  16. ↑ Shall the religious inherit the earth? - Eric Kaufmann
  17. ↑ Pushing the Antithesis on Greg Bahnsen
  18. ↑ A HISTORY OF TRANSHUMANIST THOUGHT, Nick Bostrom, Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford University
  19. ↑ A HISTORY OF TRANSHUMANIST THOUGHT, Nick Bostrom, Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford University
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