Debunking Christianity: A World Without Atheists

I would like to know why anyone would say they wish that there were no atheists or non-believers. That is stupid. Until you hand your life to Jesus and obey him voluntarily, you are no different than an atheist even if you believe God exists. Truth is you are worse off than an atheist because you are in full rebellion and know it. People in the churches like that are in worse shape than those who deny God's existence. I welcome lists such as they help me know who to pray for. It's not a bad thing - it is making our work easier knowing who to pray for. I thank John Loftus for posting this on his blog.




Debunking Christianity: A World Without Atheists

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Faithful Thinkers: Video: Biblical Contradictions

Faithful Thinkers: Video: Biblical Contradictions

Dwayne McDuffie on Working as a Black Writer in Comics [Video] - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Image by CoolB047 via FlickrAs you probably already heard, Dwayne McDuffie died a month ago next week. Comics Alliance continues to post great tributes to his work and his legacy. I can't recommend this article enough. Here is one of the videos included in the article.




Dwayne McDuffie on Working as a Black Writer in Comics [Video] - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: A New Look at Mona Lisa

Image via WikipediaNow this is cool!!!!

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: A New Look at Mona Lisa

Fallacy Friday: The Genetic Fallacy - Apologetics 315

I really appreciate the team up project by Brian Auten and Matthew Flannagan. This week They tackle the "Genetic Fallacy". Follow the link below to get at this resource!

Fallacy Friday: The Genetic Fallacy - Apologetics 315

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Confident Christianity: A Question for Rob Bell: Whose God Rose from the Dead?

I've been hearing about Rob Bell for the past couple of weeks. I'm really think there is a problem with things he has been teaching. I'm grateful to see this article because it does a great job in summarizing the issues and falls in line with everything I've been hearing. I just don't understand how people like Rob Bell can still consider themselves Christians and still reject or change so much of what the Bible says. I first heard of him from James White when Dr. White refuted a video that referred to Mithras and his allegations that Christian ideas came from it and other religions.

Here is the video Dr. White Responded to.

Confident Christianity: A Question for Rob Bell: Whose God Rose from the Dead?

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My Common Sense is Tingling - Debunking Christianity: Let's Talk Turkey About the Evidence for Christianity

John Loftus has posted yet another article that I think has a few problems. My comments are in Bold.

Tell me if I'm missing something. It's time to sum up the evidence for Christianity and see what it is.

Christians have the poor evidence of historical evidence and that's it. I have a chapter on it in Why I Became an Atheist. Then they have an argument from ignorance, the god of the gaps. You either argue for this god or you don't. If you do it's a fallacy of ignorance--although I grant with Robert Larmar that this is a legitimate argument so long as science does not progress. But it most emphatically does progress!!! If you do not argue for the god of the gaps then you merely have a sustaining creator of the universe that looks indistinguishable from a universe without a god at all!

Okay so far?

Not even close to "Okay". See what Loftus did. He admits that there is historical evidence but calls it "poor". Given that in science, when it is done right, leads to far more questions than it answers it doe not make sense to argue that understanding anything means that we don't need God. We can explain where lightning comes from, but science will never be able to explain why a bolt lightning hits one area but not another or why it kills this person or another. Science will never be able answer why the Nazis did not discover how to make a U-235 bomb before the Allies did or for that matter why any historical event happens instead of an alternate event. In addition how is a sustaining creator (which Loftus and Richard Dawkins admit is possible) is indistinguishable from a universe with no God at all? Think about it. All the science that we have shows us that the universe cannot sustain itself. We can't sustain ourselves. Entropy can never decrease. Something is slowing down the universe from complete heat death. We have nothing that explains why we exist instead of nothing. I don't think that is a question science can answer. Without that agency holding reality together we have nothing. Let's bring it home. What is it that keeps your heart beating and the synapses in your brain functioning? We don't know. Can science help us understand those processes? Yup. Will science be able to explain and predict when those processes will stop and why? No.

Then we have philosophical arguments that the universe is not a necessary being and that we need a God for reason. I think those arguments are bad and fail to be supported by the evidence from evolution. And none of them can lead people to believe that the god of these arguments is trinitarian by nature, became incarnate in Jesus, atoned for our sins, resurrected from the grave, and so forth. These beliefs depend entirely on the poor evidence of historical evidence, you see. And I mean it's poor evidence if it can be considered evidence at all! Keith Parsons walked away from the philosophy of religion because these philosophical types of arguments have met devastating counter-replies.

I guess Loftus rejects revelation as a valid source for information about reality. Agreed that without divine revelation we can't know all the things about God's character and nature in as great a detail as we claim to know. I want to know why that is a problem. If God is truly as other as he would have to be to have accomplished making all of reality out of nothing , does anyone really think that our finiteness could ever hope to comprehend much of anything about God beyond Deism? God has chosen to reveal himself to humanity though direct and personal relationship. That is the claim of Christianity. Beyond that...God wants to have a personal relationship with you. We can't cross the chasm of infinite distance between us and God. In order to be in relationship with us, God had to condescend and bridge that chasm himself with himself. If you think you can just approach God and what he does and who he is without his help and under your own power you greatly overestimate yourself and your mental powers.

Again, am I missing anything?

Yes, a lot.

That's all ya got. Little or nothing. End of story. See ya.

So, Loftus admits that there is historical evidence (yet doesn't think its convincing) and neglects the very evidence of our own existence as proof of God being and doing what He has said He is and had done. This is far from the end of the story. Without God it is impossible to even begin understand Him and even then obedience is going to be the closest you can get. Without God, it's not a matter of missing the forest because of the tree. Without God, you don't even know you exist or even recognize trees.

Debunking Christianity: Let's Talk Turkey About the Evidence for Christianity

Evidence for Christianity by J.P. Moreland - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted a lecture by Dr J.P. Moreland that is well-worth listening to. A link to the video and the audio was posted on his blog at Apologetics 315. Please visit his blog post to get the links.

Evidence for Christianity by J.P. Moreland - Apologetics 315

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FacePalm of the Day - #68 - Debunking Christianity: Quote of the Day, by Russ

 John Loftus posted the following quote from one of his readers:

Simply being able to imagine something is no reason to think that it's possible for it to exist. All gods so far are imaginary. You are forced to agree with me that all gods are imaginary with you taking exception only for your particular incarnation of a Christian god. But, your god is no more real than Rama or Vishnu or Thor. Until it can be shown that a god, any god, can do something there is no reason to think it's even possible for one to exist. Until we can see a god acting on its own rather than being credited with things achieved by other means, we are fully justified in treating them like we treat trolls and flying dragons: they are the stuff of myth. Link

Russ appears to argue that God is imaginary unless you can prove God has acted. I can easily argue that God has intervened in my life  but people who don't realize or see what God has done in their own lives will not accept that. I could argue that Jesus - God incarnate - came to earth, died  for us, and rose again, but however people like Russ would deny that is true despite the evidence. So here is the reason for the  FacePalm, Russ ignores one very important point: IF there is no God who brought the universe into existence. We know for a fact that the universe had a beginning. We know it has an end. We know that the universe did not bring itself into existence. Nothing can bring itself into existence all by itself. I'd say bringing the universe into existence is a major and unmatchable feat and one not claimed by Buddhism, Rama, Vishnu, Thor, or anyone else.

Debunking Christianity: Quote of the Day, by Russ

Interview: The Problem of Hell - Apologetics 315

Brian Auten has posted an interview of Dr. Jeremy Evans by Michael Licona. The subject was about hell - what the Bible teaches about it and what it means. He deals with many of the objections people raise about hell also. Unfortunately, many Christians shy away from the subject and even try to deny the reality of hell altogether. "There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun."

Interview: The Problem of Hell - Apologetics 315

Theistic Evolution and The Quest for the Historical Adam

Jamin Hubner continues to post really interesting articles. In this one, he writes about theistic evolution. He points to an article written by  Dr. David Murray, Professor of Old Testament at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. I just don't think that there is enough science to support the idea that every single life form on this planet has descended from the same one-celled animal and those who deny God but accept evolution cannot explain where that first life form came from.

Theistic Evolution and The Quest for the Historical Adam

A Thoughtful and Well-Reasoned Discourse on Why Pi Can Go Suck It - Topless Robot Fat Chance!!!!

I was really interested to see what this video might have. I have to admit that making the argument to replace 2* Pi with another constant to simplify many equations has an appeal. However, I think that one important fact was neglected. True Pi is the ratio of diameter to circumference, but Pi is also equal to the number of radians in all triangles one of the basis on which trigonometry is based. In Calculus, this relationship combined with the relationship of Pi to circles saves many a calculation. Pi still rules!




A Thoughtful and Well-Reasoned Discourse on Why Pi Can Go Suck It - Topless Robot

Social Media Explained - G4tv.com

Ever confused about which social media you should use? It depends on what you wanna say! Here is a humorous guide. I got it from G4. In the article, they ask what happened to MySpace? My answer is no one uses MySpace anymore!

Social Media Explained - G4tv.com

He Lives: Jerry Coyne's vexing connundrum: If you think God is possible, how is it there are PAIN + SUFFERING??

I love David Heddle's blog. I think he accurately characterizes Jerry Coyne's argument against God's existence. Coyne wrote

This—the presence of horrible things caused not by humans, but by other features of nature—is the Achilles heel of theistic faith.

Heddle observes:

Of course Jerry—like people who aren't too bright are habitually doing—likes to imagine that his simpleminded argument a) possesses a slam-dunk quality and b) humanity had to wait millennia for someone of his unique intellect to introduce it.

I highly recommend Heddle's blog and article. I think he hits the nail on the head and makes some important observations. I agree with him.

He Lives: Jerry Coyne's vexing connundrum: If you think God is possible, how is it there are PAIN + SUFFERING??

My Common Sense is Tingling - Debunking Christianity: Another Mark of a Deluded Person

John Loftus posted the following earlier today:

Previously I wrote on the Ten Marks of a Deluded Person. Here's another one. Many Christians treat skeptics like me as if we are enemies to be debated rather then fellow human beings interested in the truth. That is surely one of the marks of a brainwashed or deluded person too. Dr. Randal Rauser in his book, You're Not As Crazy As I Think, would seem to agree. Rauser: "The single most effective way to protect a core set of ideological claims from critical introspection is by positing a simplistic binary opposition between two sides while placing the views we seek to protect on the correct or true side and all views hostile to the core ideology on the incorrect side." (p. 58) "For too long we have objectified the dissenting voice at the other end of the battlefield as nothing more than a target of conquest." (p. 12) However, "The real person of truth is one who expresses a genuine willingness to listen to the other as as equal conversation partner." (p. 8) As a corrective to this Rauser endorses a resolution "...to engage with the other--the liberal, the Dawinist, the animal rights activist, and the atheist--as an equal partner in dialogue and so to treat each one as a person we can learn from and need to listen to." (p. 11)

How is calling someone who disagrees with you "deluded" treating that "'as an equal partner in dialogue and so to treat each one as a person we can learn from and need to listen to'?" Common sense says it doesn't. Makes me wonder why John Loftus thinks he's due such respect while denying the same from people who disagree with him.

Debunking Christianity: Another Mark of a Deluded Person

JonQ.com - StumbleUpon

One man came up with a good idea for proposing marriage to his girlfriend. She never even saw it coming.

JonQ.com - StumbleUpon

Earthquake in Japan 2011

Japan is really hurting right now. They need our prayers and any help we can provide. A 8.9 earthquake is nothing to sneer at or underestimate. There is no evidence of an earthquake as large in the continental United States.

Arahama, Japan 2008

Arahama, Japan 2011

Christopher Hitchens and Alister McGrath Debate MP3 Audio - Apologetics 315

Christopher Hitchens debated Alister McGrath quite a while ago. Brian Auten posted the audio before I knew about Apologetics 315. If you missed it, I think the audio is definitely worth listening to. Follow the link to listen to the debate.

Christopher Hitchens and Alister McGrath Debate MP3 Audio - Apologetics 315

YouTube - The Biggest Problem with Apologists in the United States (Dr. James White)

James White identifies the biggest problem with apologists in the United States. I think he is 100% Correct.





YouTube - The Biggest Problem with Apologists in the United States (Dr. James White)

Flatland Apologetics: Get real

Here is a very good summary of theories regarding Jesus' resurrection It draws the conclusion that Jesus' bodily resurrection is the only plausible explanation that fits all the facts that we have of what happened to Jesus.

Flatland Apologetics: Get real

7 Films That Got Stuck In The Uncanny Valley - Topless Robot

Topless Robot has posted an interesting article. It is about an interesting idea:

The concept of "The Uncanny Valley" -- the theory that as artificial humans get closer and closer to looking real, they get creepier and more unsettling -- gets a lot of debate amongst movie and robot fans alike.

I think that there is merit to this. The article goes on to list seven films that illustrate the point. I found all of these creepy except for Jolie in Beowulf and the Hulk

7 Films That Got Stuck In The Uncanny Valley - Topless Robot

Lessons in Logic and Argumentation: The Fallacy of Equivocation

Jamin Hubner has posted an interesting article defining and describing the logical fallacy known as the Fallacy of Equivocation. Check it out.


Lessons in Logic and Argumentation: The Fallacy of Equivocation

Video: “I Have Sex” « : Crushable - Crushable gives you the celebrity news, style and scoop on the stuff you care about.

I find it amazing that we now live in a culture that not only condones extra-marital sexual activity but literally glories in it. Part of the problem is that for centuries, the Christian church taught people to be ashamed of their sexuality while there is no Biblical teaching that endorses such a view. It seems that in protesting that, people have gone to the other extreme of thinking that almost everything is permissible and correct. Like everything else, why would there not be inadvisable sexual behavior? The Bible does not condemn sex. Sex inside of monogamous relationships between a single man and a single woman in a life-long commitment under-girded by mutual respect and love is what is commanded. The amazing thing is that most people admit that these Biblical relationship are the most healthy sexual relationships and what most people seem to crave no matter what culture or time they are from. Women are best protected and have the most control over their lives in these kinds of relationships. People live longer and more fulfilled lives. When people turn their backs on keeping sex within marriage, they turn their backs on what is best for them. God is not trying to be a kill-joy or ruin our fun or keep us from pleasure. God has revealed what is best for us. Considering that God made us and gave us the gift of sex, would God not know how to get the most out of it? Yes, God would. And given that God has revealed this as God's desire for us, it follows that God will give you a spouse suitable for you so that you can live the way God has commanded.

Everyone sins and falls short of the ideal standard God has given us - in multiple ways. This is why forgiveness is given to us. God knows that the standards for how we exercise our sexuality is steep and God does not expect us to view sexual desire as sin - in and of itself. Desiring sex is not an evil thing. The problem is what people do to fulfill those desires. We can fall into sinful action to satisfy those feelings. Thank God, for giving us all the tools and things we need to live the lives He has purposed for us.




Video: “I Have Sex” « : Crushable - Crushable gives you the celebrity news, style and scoop on the stuff you care about.

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Calvinistic Cartoons: Random Comic Panel

Eddie Eddings posted this great acrostic for "SUPER" summarizing Reformed Theology.

Is your doctrine a "SUPER" one?
Soul in Depravity
Unconditional Election
Particular Redemption
Eternally Secure
Resistance Transformed into Insistence

Want to know the difference between Calvinism and Arminianism? Look at one of the comments:

Angry Arminian said...

W - Will is free!  I  - I elect myself! M - My decision! P  - Power to choose! Y  - You might not make it! And don't nobody call it "man-centered"

I did change the image of Superman, Eddie used in his original post but the text was too good not change.

Calvinistic Cartoons: Random Comic Panel

Patrick Boivin - Interview

I got a tweet about an article in which Patrick Boivin has been interviewed. I like his work a great deal and it is great to see what he has to say about that work. Take a look at the interview and one of my favorite shorts he worked on - Iron Baby.




Patrick Boivin