Arguing For Atheism

Arguing for Atheism: A Rational Examination of Belief

Are you wrestling with questions about faith, grappling with the inconsistencies of religious dogma, or simply curious about a life lived without religious belief? This post dives deep into the rational arguments for atheism, exploring common objections and offering a nuanced perspective on this increasingly prevalent worldview. We'll examine the philosophical, scientific, and ethical considerations that many atheists find compelling, providing a clear and accessible understanding of what it means to argue for atheism, and why someone might choose this path.

H2: The Burden of Proof: Why the Default Should be Non-Belief

The foundation of many atheistic arguments rests on the concept of the burden of proof. This isn't about disproving God's existence; rather, it's about acknowledging that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The assertion that a supernatural being created and governs the universe is, undeniably, an extraordinary claim. The burden of proving this claim lies squarely with those making it, not on those who find the evidence lacking. Until compelling and verifiable evidence is presented, maintaining a position of non-belief, or atheism, is a logically sound default.

H2: The Problem of Inconsistent Religious Texts and Interpretations

Religious texts, often held as divinely inspired, frequently present contradictory narratives, moral ambiguities, and passages open to vastly different interpretations. This internal inconsistency undermines the claim of absolute truth often associated with religious belief. Different sects within the same religion offer wildly different interpretations of the same scriptures, highlighting the subjective nature of religious understanding and challenging the notion of a singular, objectively true religious doctrine. Arguing for atheism becomes simpler when recognizing the inherent interpretive flaws within religious texts.

H3: Scientific Explanations for Natural Phenomena

Science offers compelling naturalistic explanations for phenomena once attributed to divine intervention. From the Big Bang theory to the evolution of species, scientific inquiry provides a robust framework for understanding the universe without recourse to supernatural explanations. While science doesn't claim to possess all the answers, its methodical approach to understanding reality contrasts sharply with the reliance on faith and revelation inherent in religious belief. This provides a strong argument for atheism based on a preference for evidence-based reasoning.

H2: The Moral Argument for Atheism: Ethics Without God

Many believe that morality requires a divine origin, but this is a flawed assumption. Ethical systems can be, and are, developed through rational discourse, empathy, and a concern for the well-being of others. Secular ethics, grounded in human reason and shared values, offer a robust alternative to religiously-based morality, free from the constraints of supernatural dictates and offering a more inclusive and adaptable framework for navigating ethical dilemmas. This demonstrates that a moral life is entirely possible without religious belief, a key point when arguing for atheism.

H3: The Problem of Evil and Suffering

The existence of widespread suffering and evil in the world poses a significant challenge to the concept of an all-powerful and all-good God. If a benevolent and omnipotent deity exists, why does immense suffering persist? This classic theological problem, the "problem of evil," weakens the arguments for the existence of a benevolent God and strengthens the case for atheism. The absence of a satisfactory answer to this question further underscores the lack of evidence for a divine being.

H2: The Psychological and Social Impacts of Religious Belief

Beyond the purely philosophical arguments, the psychological and societal impacts of religious belief deserve consideration. While religion can offer comfort and community to some, it can also be a source of conflict, intolerance, and oppression. Blind faith, unquestioning obedience, and the suppression of critical thinking can have detrimental effects on individuals and societies. Arguing for atheism often involves acknowledging the potential negative consequences of religious dogma and promoting a worldview based on reason, critical inquiry, and individual autonomy.

H2: Addressing Common Objections to Atheism

Many objections to atheism stem from misunderstandings of what atheism actually entails. Atheism isn't necessarily a rejection of morality, spirituality, or meaning in life. Atheists can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives guided by reason, compassion, and a commitment to ethical principles. Many atheists find meaning in human relationships, intellectual pursuits, and contributions to society. Addressing these common objections head-on helps to clarify the nature of atheism and dismantle misconceptions.

Conclusion

Arguing for atheism is not about denying the possibility of something beyond our current understanding; it's about demanding evidence, embracing reason, and prioritizing a worldview based on verifiable knowledge and ethical considerations. It's about choosing a path guided by critical thinking, empathy, and a commitment to a just and compassionate world. The arguments presented here represent a fraction of the multifaceted reasoning behind atheism, encouraging further exploration and critical engagement with the topic.

FAQs:

1. Is atheism a religion? No, atheism is the absence of belief in God or gods. It is not a belief system in itself and doesn't prescribe specific rituals or doctrines.

2. Are atheists immoral? Absolutely not. Morality is not dependent on religious belief. Atheists can, and often do, hold strong moral values based on reason, empathy, and societal well-being.

3. What gives atheists meaning in life? Atheists find meaning in various ways, including relationships, personal achievements, contributing to society, pursuing knowledge, and experiencing the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

4. What about the fear of death? Atheists grapple with mortality like everyone else. However, many find solace in the value and impact they make during their lives, rather than relying on promises of an afterlife.

5. How can I learn more about atheism? Numerous books, articles, and online resources explore the philosophical and scientific arguments for atheism. Engage in critical thinking and explore different perspectives to develop your own understanding.


  arguing for atheism: Arguing for Atheism Robin Le Poidevin, 2003-09-02 First Published in 2004. In Arguing for Atheism, Robin Le Poidevin addresses the question of whether theism-the view that there is a personal, transcendent creator of the universe - solves the deepest mysteries of existence. Philosophical defences of theism have often been based on the idea that it explains things which atheistic approaches cannot: for example, why the universe exists, and how there can be objective moral values. The main contention of Arguing for Atheism is that the reverse is true: that in fact theism fails to explain many things it claims to, while atheism can explain some of the things it supposedly leaves mysterious. It is also argued that religion need not depend on belief in God. Designed as a text for university courses in the philosophy of religion and metaphysics, this book’s accessible style and numerous explanations of important philosophical concepts and positions will also make it attractive to the general reader.
  arguing for atheism: Arguing for Atheism Robin Le Poidevin, 2003-09-02 First Published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
  arguing for atheism: Arguing for Atheism Robin Le Poidevin, 1996
  arguing for atheism: Systematic Atheology John R. Shook, 2017-12-01 Atheology is the intellectual effort to understand atheism, defend the reasonableness of unbelief, and support nonbelievers in their encounters with religion. This book presents a historical overview of the development of atheology from ancient thought to the present day. It offers in-depth examinations of four distinctive schools of atheological thought: rationalist atheology, scientific atheology, moral atheology, and civic atheology. John R. Shook shows how a familiarity with atheology’s complex histories, forms, and strategies illuminates the contentious features of today’s atheist and secularist movements, which are just as capable of contesting each other as opposing religion. The result is a book that provides a disciplined and philosophically rigorous examination of atheism’s intellectual strategies for reasoning with theology. Systematic Atheology is an important contribution to the philosophy of religion, religious studies, secular studies, and the sociology and psychology of nonreligion.
  arguing for atheism: Atheism Michael Martin, 1990 In this book Michael Martin provides logical reasons for being an atheist. Carefully examining the current debate in Anglo-American analytic philosophy regarding God's existence, Martin presents a comprehensive critique of the arguments for the existence of God and a defense of arguments against the existence of God, showing in detail their relevance to atheism. Claiming that atheism is a rational position while theistic beliefs are not, he relies both on logic and evidence and confines his efforts to showing the irrationality of belief in a personal supreme being who is omniscient, omnipotent, perfect, and the creator of heaven and earth. The author's approach is two-fold. By presenting and criticizing arguments that have been advanced in favor of belief, he makes a case for negative atheism. By offering arguments against atheism and defending it from these attacks, he presents a case for positive atheism. Along the way, he confronts the views of numerous philosophers—among them Anselm, Aquinas, Plantinga, Hick, and Swinburne—and refutes both classical and contemporary arguments that have been advanced through the history of this debate. In his conclusion, Martin considers what would and would not follow if his main arguments were widely accepted, and he defines and distinguishes atheism from other isms and movements. Building on the work of religious skeptics and atheists of the past and present, he justifies his reconstruction of this philosophical dispute by citing some of the most interesting and important arguments for atheism and criticisms of arguments for the existence of God that have appeared in recent journal articles and have yet to be systematically addressed. Author note: Michael Martin is Professor of Philosophy at Boston University and author of several books, including The Legal Philosophy of H.L.A. Hart: A Critical Appraisal and The Case Against Christianity (both from Temple).
  arguing for atheism: Logic and Theism Jordan Howard Sobel, 2003-11-10 This is a wide-ranging 2004 book about arguments for and against beliefs in God. This book will be a valuable resource for philosophers of religion and theologians and will interest logicians and mathematicians as well.
  arguing for atheism: Against Atheism Ian S. Markham, 2011-09-13 In this new book, Ian Markham analyzes the atheistic world view, opposing the arguments given by renowned authors of books on atheism, such as Richard Dawkins. Unlike other responses to the new atheism, Markham challenges these authors on their own ground by questioning their understanding of belief and of atheism itself. The result is a transforming introduction to Christianity that will appeal to anyone interested in this debate. A fascinating challenge to the recent spate of successful books written by high-profile atheist authors such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris Tackles these authors on their own ground, arguing that they do not understand the nature of atheism, let alone theology and ethics Draws on ideas from Nietzsche, cosmology, and art to construct a powerful response that allows for a faith that is grounded, yet one that recognizes the reality of uncertainty Succinct, engaging, but robustly argued, this new book by a leading academic and writer contains a wealth of profound insights that show religious belief in a new light
  arguing for atheism: Atheism: The Basics Graham Oppy, 2018-10-03 Atheism: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to belief in the non-existence of deities. Atheism has long fascinated people but debate around this controversial position may seem daunting. In this lively and lucid book, Graham Oppy addresses the following important questions: • What does it mean to be an atheist? • What is the difference between atheism, agnosticism, theism and innocence? • How has atheism been distributed over time and place? • What does science tell us about atheism? • Are there good reasons to be an atheist? • Are there good reasons not to be an atheist? • What do we mean by ‘new atheism'? With a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading throughout, the book considers key philosophical arguments around atheism, making this an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a full introduction to the arguments between those who hold atheistic beliefs and those who do not.
  arguing for atheism: Atheism George H. Smith, 2010-11-02 Does a god exist? This question has undoubtedly been asked, in one form or another, since man has had the ability to communicate. . . Thousands of volumes have been written on the subject of a god, and the vast majority have answered the questions with a resounding 'Yes!' You are about to read a minority viewpoint. With this intriguing introduction, George H. Smith sets out to demolish what he considers the most widespread and destructive of all the myths devised by man - the concept of a supreme being. With painstaking scholarship and rigorous arguments, Mr. Smith examines, dissects, and refutes the myriad proofs offered by theists - the defenses of sophisticated, professional theologians, as well as the average religious layman. He explores the historical and psychological havoc wrought by religion in general - and concludes that religious belief cannot have any place in the life of modern, rational man. It is not my purpose to convert people to atheism . . . (but to) demonstrate that the belief in God is irrational to the point of absurdity. If a person wishes to continue believing in a god, that is his prerogative, but he can no longer excuse his belief in the name of reason and moral necessity.
  arguing for atheism: Everybody Is Wrong About God James A. Lindsay, Peter Boghossian, 2015-12-01 A call to action to address people's psychological and social motives for a belief in God, rather than debate the existence of God With every argument for theism long since discredited, the result is that atheism has become little more than the noises reasonable people make in the presence of unjustified religious beliefs. Thus, engaging in interminable debate with religious believers about the existence of God has become exactly the wrong way for nonbelievers to try to deal with misguided—and often dangerous—belief in a higher power. The key, author James Lindsay argues, is to stop that particular conversation. He demonstrates that whenever people say they believe in God, they are really telling us that they have certain psychological and social needs that they do not know how to meet. Lindsay then provides more productive avenues of discussion and action. Once nonbelievers understand this simple point, and drop the very label of atheist, will they be able to change the way we all think about, talk about, and act upon the troublesome notion called God.
  arguing for atheism: The Rage Against God Peter Hitchens, 2010 Partly autobiographical, partly historical, The Rage Against God, written by the brother of prominent atheist Christopher Hitchens, assails several of the favorite arguments of the anti-God battalions and makes the case against fashionable atheism.
  arguing for atheism: Atheism: A Very Short Introduction Julian Baggini, 2003-06-26 Do you think of atheists as immoral pessimists who live their lives without meaning, purpose, or values? Think again! Atheism: A Very Short Introduction sets out to dispel the myths that surround atheism and show how a life without religious belief can be positive, meaningful, and moral.
  arguing for atheism: The Best Argument against God G. Oppy, 2013-07-23 .... compares two theories—Naturalism and Theism—on a wide range of relevant data. It concludes that Naturalism should be preferred to Theism on that data. The central idea behind the argument is that, while Naturalism is simpler than Theism, there is no relevant data that Naturalism fails to explain at least as well as Theism does.
  arguing for atheism: The Errors of Atheism J. Angelo Corlett, 2010-01-01 The Errors of Atheism is a response to the glaring gap that exists in analytical philosophy on the concept of God. While there is the large body of work that either defends or challenges orthodox Christian theistic arguments, there is a lack of analytical philosophical work articulating agnosticism as a critique of both theism and atheism. J. Angelo Corlett shows that the conceptual depths of theism must be explored beyond orthodoxy in order to re-open the debate on the problem of God. His book is an agnostic's statement on the current state of the debate about God's existence and where the discussion must go to make genuine philosophical progress instead of remaining in a dialectical stalemate.
  arguing for atheism: Atheism on Trial Louis Markos, 2018-04-03 Answers You Need for the Tough Questions About Your Faith Atheists are launching a new wave of attacks against Christianity and faith in God. It's hard to know how to handle their claims that they have a more enlightened, scientific, and sophisticated worldview. How can you respond with precision to arguments against your faith? With instructive clarity, Dr. Louis Markos confronts the modern-day atheists' claims that new evidence disproves the existence of God. In fact, you will find that the proof they peddle is not new at all. Rather, they recycle claims that have already been disproven by Christian thinkers of the past...claims that you can silence today with the same solid logic. Equip yourself to defend your beliefs from a deep well of knowledge and conviction. Stand in confidence that the trial of public opinion versus universal truth has already been held—and God is the victor.
  arguing for atheism: The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality André Comte-Sponville, 2007 Poses an argument for living a spiritual life that is not dependent on religion, explaining that an acceptance of philosophical spiritual traditions and values does not require practitioners to embrace the existence of a higher order.
  arguing for atheism: Atheist Overreach Christian Smith, 2018-09-05 In recent years atheism has become ever more visible, acceptable, and influential. Atheist apologists have become increasingly vociferous and confident in their claims: that a morality requiring benevolence towards all and universal human rights need not be grounded in religion; that modern science disproves the existence of God; and that there is nothing innately religious about human beings. In Atheist Overreach, Christian Smith takes a look at the evidence and arguments, and explains why we ought to be skeptical of these atheists' claims about morality, science, and human nature. He does not argue that atheism is necessarily wrong, but rather that its advocates are advancing crucial claims that are neither rationally defensible nor realistic. Their committed worldview feeds unhelpful arguments and contributes to the increasing polarization of today's political landscape. Everyone involved in the theism-atheism debates, in shared moral reflection, and in the public consumption of the findings of science should be committed to careful reasoning and rigorous criticism. This book provides readers with the information they need to participate more knowledgably in debates about atheism and what it means for our society.
  arguing for atheism: God Is Not Great Christopher Hitchens, 2008-11-19 Christopher Hitchens, described in the London Observer as “one of the most prolific, as well as brilliant, journalists of our time” takes on his biggest subject yet–the increasingly dangerous role of religion in the world. In the tradition of Bertrand Russell’s Why I Am Not a Christian and Sam Harris’s recent bestseller, The End Of Faith, Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case against religion. With a close and erudite reading of the major religious texts, he documents the ways in which religion is a man-made wish, a cause of dangerous sexual repression, and a distortion of our origins in the cosmos. With eloquent clarity, Hitchens frames the argument for a more secular life based on science and reason, in which hell is replaced by the Hubble Telescope’s awesome view of the universe, and Moses and the burning bush give way to the beauty and symmetry of the double helix.
  arguing for atheism: Arguing about Gods Graham Oppy, 2006-09-04 In this book, Graham Oppy examines arguments for and against the existence of God. He shows that none of these arguments is powerful enough to change the minds of reasonable participants in debates on the question of the existence of God. His conclusion is supported by detailed analyses of the arguments as well as by the development of a theory about the purpose of arguments and the criteria that should be used in judging whether or not arguments are successful. Oppy discusses the work of a wide array of philosophers, including Anselm, Aquinas, Descartes, Locke, Leibniz, Kant, Hume and, more recently, Plantinga, Dembski, White, Dawkins, Bergman, Gale and Pruss.
  arguing for atheism: How to Argue with an Atheist Tl Brink, 2018-05 TL Brink proposes a simulated discussion, a heuristic for a conversation with an acquaintance, in a formal debate, or with your inner voice.
  arguing for atheism: Atheism Considered C.M. Lorkowski, 2020-10-17 Atheism Considered is a systematic presentation of challenges to the existence of a higher power. Rather than engage in polemic against a religious worldview, C.M. Lorkowski charitably refutes the classical arguments for the existence of god, pointing out flaws in their underlying reasoning and highlighting difficulties inherent to revealed sources. In place of a theistic worldview, he argues for adopting a naturalistic one, highlighting naturalism’s capacity to explain world phenomena and contribute to the sciences. Lorkowski demonstrates that replacing theism with naturalism, contra popular assumptions, sacrifices nothing in terms of ethics or meaning. Instead, morality ultimately proves more important than religion and does not rely on it. Appropriate for classroom use, this book is meant to cultivate understanding, tolerance, and fruitful dialogue between believers and nonbelievers.
  arguing for atheism: God, Suffering, and the Value of Free Will Laura W. Ekstrom, 2021-02-23 For many of us, the question of whether or not God exists is one of the most perplexing and profound questions of our lives, and numerous philosophers and theologians have debated it for centuries. Laura Ekstrom here takes a new look at the issue of God's existence by examining it against the reality of human suffering, bringing to the fore contentious presuppositions concerning agency and value at the core of the matter. When we survey the world, we observe an enormous amount of pain, including virtually unspeakable kinds of maltreatment and agony, many instances of which seem patently unfair, unearned, and pointless. This book argues that, in light of these observations, it is reasonable to conclude that God does not exist. The book unravels the extent and power of arguments from evil. Ekstrom provides a close investigation of a largely overlooked claim at the heart of major free-will-based responses to such arguments, namely that free will is worth it: sufficiently valuable to serve as the good that provides a God-justifying reason for permitting evil in the world. Through fresh examinations of traditional theodicies, Ekstrom develops an alternative line called divine intimacy theodicy, and makes an extended case for rejecting skeptical theism. The book takes up an argument from evil concerning a traditional doctrine of hell, which reveals a number of compelling issues concerning fault, agency, and blameworthiness. In response to recent work contending that the problem of evil is toothless because God is indifferent to human beings, Ekstrom defends the essential perfect moral goodness of God. She further tackles the question of whether or not it is possible to live a religious life as an agnostic or as an atheist. Through rigorous reflection, with deep respect for religious thought and experience, and with sensitivity to the range and kinds of suffering so many endure, Ekstrom firmly advances discussion of the problem of evil and paves the way for further scholarship in the philosophy of religion.
  arguing for atheism: The Atheist's Primer Malcolm Murray, 2010-04-06 The Athiest’s Primer is a concise but wide-ranging introduction to a variety of arguments, concepts, and issues pertaining to belief in God. In lucid and engaging prose, Malcom Murray offers a penetrating yet fair-minded critique of the traditional arguments for the existence of God. He then explores a number of other important issues relevant to religious belief, such as the problem of suffering and the relationship between religion and morality, in each case arguing that atheism is preferable to theism. The book will appeal to both students and professionals in the philosophy of religion, as well as general audiences interested in the topic.
  arguing for atheism: Inside the Atheist Mind Anthony DeStefano, 2018-03-20 There is only one way to deal with bullies, even in this politically correct world—and that is to crush them. USA Today bestselling author Anthony DeStefano is tired of playing nice. After years of responding patiently and agreeably to the pseudo-intellectual arguments and tactics of today’s militant atheists, he’s had enough. In this entertaining, no-holds-barred retort to atheism and its proponents, DeStefano reveals the intellectual bankruptcy at atheism’s core and equips believers to respond to its hollow arguments. A witty and devastating takedown of the new atheist position, Inside the Atheist Mind systematically debunks the theories of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and others, revealing how inconsistent, illogical, and frankly ludicrous their conclusions truly are. Poking fun at atheists in a clever and intelligent way, DeStefano demonstrates just how full of holes the new atheism is and reveals that it is actually a religion of its own, complete with a creed, a set of commandments and sacraments, and a rigid moral code with rewards and punishments. More than that, DeStefano exposes that atheism is itself a superstition of the worst kind. Using irony and a healthy dose of playful sarcasm, Inside the Atheist Mind lampoons, teases, and deflates the atheist position, unmasking it for what it is--an empty, intellectually barren philosophy, devoid of any logic and common sense.
  arguing for atheism: Radical Atheism Martin Hägglund, 2008 Radical Atheism challenges the religious appropriation of Derrida's work and offers a compelling new account of his thinking on time and space, life and death, good and evil, self and other.
  arguing for atheism: Outgrowing God Richard Dawkins, 2019-10-08 Should we believe in God? In this brisk introduction to modern atheism, one of the world’s greatest science writers tells us why we shouldn’t. Richard Dawkins was fifteen when he stopped believing in God. Deeply impressed by the beauty and complexity of living things, he’d felt certain they must have had a designer. Learning about evolution changed his mind. Now one of the world’s best and bestselling science communicators, Dawkins has given readers, young and old, the same opportunity to rethink the big questions. In twelve fiercely funny, mind-expanding chapters, Dawkins explains how the natural world arose without a designer—the improbability and beauty of the “bottom-up programming” that engineers an embryo or a flock of starlings—and challenges head-on some of the most basic assumptions made by the world’s religions: Do you believe in God? Which one? Is the Bible a “Good Book”? Is adhering to a religion necessary, or even likely, to make people good to one another? Dissecting everything from Abraham’s abuse of Isaac to the construction of a snowflake, Outgrowing God is a concise, provocative guide to thinking for yourself. Praise for Outgrowing God “My son came home from his first day in the sixth grade with arms outstretched plaintively demanding to know: ‘Have you ever heard of Jesus?’ We burst out laughing. Maybe not our finest parenting moment, given that he was genuinely distraught. He felt that he had woken up one day to a world in which his peers were expressing beliefs he found frighteningly unreasonable. He began devouring books like The God Delusion, books that helped him formulate his own arguments and helped him stand his ground. Dawkins’s new book is special in the terrain of atheists’ pleas for humanism and rationalism precisely since it speaks to those most vulnerable to the coercive tactics of religion. As Dawkins himself says in the dedication, this book is for ‘all young people when they’re old enough to decide for themselves.’ It is also, I must add, for their parents.”—Janna Levin, author of Black Hole Blues “When someone is considering atheism I tell them to read the Bible first and then Dawkins. Outgrowing God—second only to the Bible!”—Penn Jillette, author of God, No!
  arguing for atheism: Life After Faith Philip Kitcher, 2014-10-28 Although there is no shortage of recent books arguing against religion, few offer a positive alternative—how anyone might live a fulfilling life without the support of religious beliefs. This enlightening book fills the gap. Philip Kitcher constructs an original and persuasive secular perspective, one that answers human needs, recognizes the objectivity of values, and provides for the universal desire for meaningfulness. Kitcher thoughtfully and sensitively considers how secularism can respond to the worries and challenges that all people confront, including the issue of mortality. He investigates how secular lives compare with those of people who adopt religious doctrines as literal truth, as well as those who embrace less literalistic versions of religion. Whereas religious belief has been important in past times, Kitcher concludes that evolution away from religion is now essential. He envisions the successors to religious life, when the senses of identity and community traditionally fostered by religion will instead draw on a broader range of cultural items—those provided by poets, filmmakers, musicians, artists, scientists, and others. With clarity and deep insight, Kitcher reveals the power of secular humanism to encourage fulfilling human lives built on ethical truth.
  arguing for atheism: Why Does God Allow Evil? Clay Jones, 2017-08-01 If you are looking for one book to make sense of the problem of evil, this book is for you. Sean McDowell Grasping This Truth Will Change Your View of God Forever If God is good and all-powerful, why doesn't He put a stop to the evil in this world? Christians and non-Christians alike struggle with the concept of a loving God who allows widespread suffering in this life and never-ending punishment in hell. We wrestle with questions such as... Why do bad things happen to good people? Why should we have to pay for Adam's sin? How can eternal judgment be fair? But what if the real problem doesn't start with God...but with us? Clay Jones, an associate professor of Christian apologetics at Biola University, examines what Scripture truly says about the nature of evil and why God allows it. Along the way, he'll help you discover the contrasting abundance of God's grace, the overwhelming joy of heaven, and the extraordinary destiny of believers.
  arguing for atheism: Breaking the Spell Daniel C. Dennett, 2006-02-02 The New York Times bestseller – a “crystal-clear, constantly engaging” (Jared Diamond) exploration of the role that religious belief plays in our lives and our interactions For all the thousands of books that have been written about religion, few until this one have attempted to examine it scientifically: to ask why—and how—it has shaped so many lives so strongly. Is religion a product of blind evolutionary instinct or rational choice? Is it truly the best way to live a moral life? Ranging through biology, history, and psychology, Daniel C. Dennett charts religion’s evolution from “wild” folk belief to “domesticated” dogma. Not an antireligious screed but an unblinking look beneath the veil of orthodoxy, Breaking the Spell will be read and debated by believers and skeptics alike.
  arguing for atheism: Against All Gods Phillip E. Johnson, John Mark Reynolds, 2010-02-25 In this book Phillip E. Johnson and John Mark Reynolds welcome the debate the New Atheists are stirring up and castigates our universities for squashing public debate about the place of faith in all knowing in the name of a false science. They argue for the reasonableness of Christian claims to take a place at the table of public debate and evaluate the strengths of arguments for atheism or naturalism. Ultimately they encourage us to ask the right questions and follow the evidence where it leads.
  arguing for atheism: The Atheist Debater's Handbook B. C. Johnson, 2010-09-09 This handbook is an attempt to offer a concise set of rejoinders for use by atheists in their formal (and informal) debates with theists. Older, more traditional, arguments are included as well as original arguments. The result is a short book, yet one that contains an unrelenting presentation of argument and analysis.For some time now atheists have been in need of firm grounds upon which to base their position. This handbook offers them this foundation.
  arguing for atheism: Purpose in the Universe Tim Mulgan, 2015-10-22 Two familiar worldviews dominate Western philosophy: materialist atheism and the benevolent God of the Abrahamic faiths. Tim Mulgan explores a third way. Ananthropocentric Purposivism claims that there is a cosmic purpose, but human beings are irrelevant to it. Purpose in the Universe develops a philosophical case for Ananthropocentric Purposivism that it is at least as strong as the case for either theism or atheism. The book borrows traditional theist arguments to defend a cosmic purpose. These include cosmological, teleological, ontological, meta-ethical, and mystical arguments. It then borrows traditional atheist arguments to reject a human-centred purpose. These include arguments based on evil, diversity, and the scale of the universe. Mulgan also highlights connections between morality and metaphysics, arguing that evaluative premises play a crucial and underappreciated role in metaphysical debates about the existence of God, and Ananthropocentric Purposivism mutually supports an austere consequentialist morality based on objective values. He concludes that, by drawing on a range of secular and religious ethical traditions, a non-human-centred cosmic purpose can ground a distinctive human morality. Our moral practices, our view of the moral universe, and our moral theory are all transformed if we shift from the familiar choice between a universe without meaning and a universe where humans matter to the less self-aggrandising thought that, while it is about something, the universe is not about us.
  arguing for atheism: The End of Reason Ravi Zacharias, 2008-09-09 When you pray, are you talking to a God who exists? Or is God nothing more than your imaginary friend, like a playmate contrived by a lonely and imaginative child? When author Sam Harris attacked Christianity in Letter to a Christian Nation, reviewers called the book marvelous and a generation of readers--hundreds of thousands of them--were drawn to his message. Deeply troubled, Dr. Ravi Zacharias knew that he had to respond. In The End of Reason, Zacharias underscores the dependability of the Bible along with his belief in the power and goodness of God. He confidently refutes Harris's claims that God is nothing more than a figment of one's imagination and that Christians regularly practice intolerance and hatred around the globe. If you found Sam Harris's Letter to a Christian Nation compelling, the book you are holding is exactly what you need. Dr. Zacharias exposes the utter bankruptcy of this worldview. And if you haven't read Harris's book, Ravi's response remains a powerful, passionate, irrefutably sound set of arguments for Christian thought. The clarity and hope in these pages reach out to readers who know and follow God as well as to those who reject God.
  arguing for atheism: Imagine There's No Heaven Mitchell Stephens, 2014-02-25 The historical achievements of religious belief have been large and well chronicled. But what about the accomplishments of those who have challenged religion? Traveling from classical Greece to twenty-first century America, Imagine There's No Heaven explores the role of disbelief in shaping Western civilization. At each juncture common themes emerge: by questioning the role of gods in the heavens or the role of a God in creating man on earth, nonbelievers help move science forward. By challenging the divine right of monarchs and the strictures of holy books, nonbelievers, including Jean- Jacques Rousseau and Denis Diderot, help expand human liberties, and influence the early founding of the United States. Revolutions in science, in politics, in philosophy, in art, and in psychology have been led, on multiple occasions, by those who are free of the constraints of religious life. Mitchell Stephens tells the often-courageous tales of history's most important atheists— like Denis Diderot and Salman Rushdie. Stephens makes a strong and original case for their importance not only to today's New Atheist movement but to the way many of us—believers and nonbelievers—now think and live.
  arguing for atheism: Atheist Delusions David Bentley Hart, 2009-04-21 Religious scholar Hart argues that contemporary antireligious polemics are based not only upon conceptual confusions but upon facile simplifications of history and provides a powerful antidote to the New Atheists' misrepresentations of the Christian past.
  arguing for atheism: The Age of Nothing Peter Watson, 2014-02-13 The closing months of 2008 saw the world's nations united in financial uncertainty. Amid endless reports of collapsing stock markets, failed banks, fiscal fraud and snowballing unemployment, THE AGE OF NOTHING offers a compelling insight into the demise of capitalism and the beginning of a new era. Peter Watson's scintillating thesis argues that the unprecedented credit crunch of 2008 was the result of a fundamental change in the fabric of society - one that became truly visible only as it reached its culmination. In a commanding narrative, Watson provides a historical perspective on the shift in our attitudes towards capitalism, while exploring the philosophical roots that underpin it. Of central importance in Watson's theory is Nietzsche's warning regarding mankind's responsibility for 'the death of God' - and the consequences thereof. Nietzsche's views on the frailty of human values in a world bereft of religious faith were echoed by writers including Tolstoy, Marx and Kandinsky - and his chilling message went on to resonate with thinkers throughout the 20th century. When Max Weber called the modern world 'disenchanted', and argued that society must choose to create a new value system based on knowledge or else surrender and embrace a religious faith, he was the latest in a long line of intellectuals attempting to address the problem Nietzsche had laid bare. With the arrival of THE AGE OF NOTHING, the line continues. The work fills a crucial gap in our intellectual history and serves as a comprehensive study of society's current predicament - as well as a timely answer to the question of what to do next.
  arguing for atheism: Philosophy & Atheism Kai Nielsen, 1985
  arguing for atheism: God? William Lane Craig, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, 2003-09-18 The question of whether or not God exists is profoundly fascinating and important. Now two articulate spokesmen--one a Christian, the other an atheist--duel over God's existence in an illuminating battle of ideas. In God? A Debate between a Christian and an Atheist, William Lane Craig and Walter Sinnott-Armstrong bring to the printed page two debates they held before live audiences, preserving all the wit, clarity, and immediacy of their public exchanges. Avoiding overly esoteric arguments, they directly address issues such as religious experience, the Bible, evil, eternity, the origin of the universe, design, and the supposed connection between morality and the existence of God. Employing sharp and humorous arguments, each philosopher strikes quickly to the heart of his opponent's case. For example, Craig claims that we must believe in God in order to explain objective moral values, such as why rape is wrong. Sinnott-Armstrong responds that what makes rape wrong is the harm to victims of rape, so rape is immoral even if there is no God. By assuming a traditional concept of God in their discussion, the authors ensure that they are truly addressing each other's viewpoints and engaging in a disagreement over a unified issue. The book is composed of six chapters that alternate between Craig and Sinnott-Armstrong, so that each separate point can be discussed as it arises. Ideal for courses in the philosophy of religion and introduction to philosophy, this lively and direct dialogue will stimulate students and anyone interested in the existence of God, regardless of whether or not they believe in God.
  arguing for atheism: The Problem of Atheism Augusto Del Noce, 2022-01-05 In 1964, Augusto Del Noce assembled in a book some of his best works on Marxism, atheism, and the history of modern philosophy. The result was Il problema dell’ateismo, which he always regarded as foundational to his way of thinking. The book remains his best-known work and is still in print in Italy almost sixty years later. The Problem of Atheism offers the first English translation of this landmark book, one of the earliest works to recognize the new secularizing trends in Western culture following World War II. Del Noce situates atheism historically, reconstructing its philosophical trajectory through European modernity. Documenting the author’s entire intellectual experience, these essays explore the birth of modern philosophy, reckon with the great European crisis of 1917 to 1945 and the Cold War that followed, and mine the opposition between Marxism and the rise of the affluent society. The result is rich with premonitions of the cultural landscape that would take shape throughout the 1960s and the decades that followed. Proving its English translation to be long overdue, The Problem of Atheism remains relevant to contemporary debates about secularization, political theology, and modernity.
  arguing for atheism: Arguing Religion Robert Barron, 2018-09 Every day, millions of people fight about religion. Whether with friends, family, or on social media, we expend lots of energy, lots of sharp words, and lots of strong feelings. But very few know how to have a good religious argument a rational, respectful, and productive exchange of differing views. Bishop Robert Barron, one of the leading Catholic figures in the world and among the most active on social media, has enjoyed thousands of fruitful religious arguments. In this book based on talks delivered at Facebook and Google, he explains why religion at its best opens up the searching mind, and how we all believer and unbeliever alike can share better discussions about God.
Arguing for Atheism - Archive.org
In Arguing for Atheism, Robin Le Poidevin addressses the question of whether theism—the view that there is a personal, transcendent creator of the universe—solves the deepest mysteries of existence.

Arguing for Atheism
‘Le Poidevin’s Arguing for Atheism is the best recent introduction to the philosophy of religion. Le Poidevin writes in a clear and engaging manner, without sacrifice of conceptual precision or …

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso [PDF]
In Arguing for Atheism, Robin Le Poidevin addresses the question of whether theism-the view that there is a personal, transcendent creator of the universe - solves the deepest mysteries of …

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso
Within the pages of "Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso," an enthralling opus penned by a very acclaimed wordsmith, readers set about an immersive expedition to unravel …

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso (2024)
atheism is a rational position while theistic beliefs are not, he relies both on logic and evidence and confines his efforts to showing the irrationality of belief in a personal supreme being who …

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso
Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso (book) In Arguing for Atheism, Robin Le Poidevin addresses the question of whether theism-the view that there is a personal, …

Arguing For Atheism (PDF) - archive.ncarb.org
existence of God and a defense of arguments against the existence of God showing in detail their relevance to atheism Claiming that atheism is a rational position while theistic beliefs are not …

Arguing For Atheism Copy - netsec.csuci.edu
Arguing for Atheism: A Rational Examination of Belief. Are you wrestling with questions about faith, grappling with the inconsistencies of religious dogma, or simply curious about a life lived …

Arguing Atheism - Department of Computer Science, …
Arguing atheism, for or against, has been an active interest in recent years, with many books and blogs popping up. I want to express my opinion about which kinds of arguments are effective.

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso / Robin …
Mar 20, 2024 · 2 arguing-for-atheism-an-introduction-to-the-philoso scholars present original essays on various aspects of atheism: its history, both ancient and modern, defense and …

Arguing for Atheism: A Rational Examination of Belief
Arguing for atheism often involves acknowledging the potential negative consequences of religious dogma and promoting a worldview based on reason, critical inquiry, and individual …

Arguing For Atheism Robin Le Poidevin (book)
Unveiling the Power of Verbal Artistry: An Psychological Sojourn through Arguing For Atheism Robin Le Poidevin In a world inundated with screens and the cacophony of instantaneous …

Atheism: Five Arguments for God - Carl F. H. Henry Center for ...
A sound argument must meet two conditions: (1) it is logically valid (i.e., its conclusion follows from the premises by the rules of logic), and (2) its premises are true. If an argument is sound, …

Arguingfor Atheism. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Reli …
Arguing for Atheism well exhibits the fascination and philosophical central- ity of the Philosophy of Religion as anchoring otherwise abstract metaphysical issues in the pressing concerns of …

Arguing for Atheism - Science
Arguing for Atheism. biological constraints that produce Fibonacci numbers in nature to the independent discov- ery (far earlier than in Europe) and use of Fibonacci numbers in ancient …

The Art of Christian Atheism: Faith and Philosophy in Early …
In his early work, Martin Heidegger argues for a rigorous methodological atheism in philosophy, which is not opposed to religious faith but only to the impact of faith when one is …

FIVE ARGUMENTS FOR GOD - Christian Evidence
It’s perhaps something of a surprise that almost none of the so-called New Atheists has anything to say about arguments for God’s existence. Instead, they to tend to focus on the social effects …

Hume’s Skepticism and the Problem of Atheism - PhilArchive
The central concern of this chapter is to advance a set of core arguments and distinctions in support of the atheistic interpretation. This approach begins with evidence to show that Hume …

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso , Kerry …
Apr 13, 2024 · similarities between 'old' and 'new' atheism; places atheism of either variety in context by examining the naturalistic worldview that grounds it; provides a short historical …

The Necessity of Belief, Or, The Trouble with Atheism
In an article published in the New York Times on March 12, 2006, Slavoj Žižek calls atheism “modern Europe’s most precious legacy” (2006). He claims that, amid rising religious violence, …

Arguing for Atheism - Archive.org
In Arguing for Atheism, Robin Le Poidevin addressses the question of whether theism—the view that there is a personal, transcendent creator of the universe—solves the deepest mysteries of existence.

Arguing for Atheism
‘Le Poidevin’s Arguing for Atheism is the best recent introduction to the philosophy of religion. Le Poidevin writes in a clear and engaging manner, without sacrifice of conceptual precision or argumentative depth.

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso [PDF]
In Arguing for Atheism, Robin Le Poidevin addresses the question of whether theism-the view that there is a personal, transcendent creator of the universe - solves the deepest mysteries of existence.

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso
Within the pages of "Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso," an enthralling opus penned by a very acclaimed wordsmith, readers set about an immersive expedition to unravel the intricate significance of language and its indelible imprint on our lives.

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso (2024)
atheism is a rational position while theistic beliefs are not, he relies both on logic and evidence and confines his efforts to showing the irrationality of belief in a personal supreme being who is omniscient, omnipotent, perfect, and the creator of heaven and earth.

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso
Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso (book) In Arguing for Atheism, Robin Le Poidevin addresses the question of whether theism-the view that there is a personal, transcendent creator of the universe - solves the deepest mysteries of existence.

Arguing For Atheism (PDF) - archive.ncarb.org
existence of God and a defense of arguments against the existence of God showing in detail their relevance to atheism Claiming that atheism is a rational position while theistic beliefs are not he relies both on logic and evidence and confines his

Arguing For Atheism Copy - netsec.csuci.edu
Arguing for Atheism: A Rational Examination of Belief. Are you wrestling with questions about faith, grappling with the inconsistencies of religious dogma, or simply curious about a life lived without religious belief?

Arguing Atheism - Department of Computer Science, …
Arguing atheism, for or against, has been an active interest in recent years, with many books and blogs popping up. I want to express my opinion about which kinds of arguments are effective.

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso / Robin …
Mar 20, 2024 · 2 arguing-for-atheism-an-introduction-to-the-philoso scholars present original essays on various aspects of atheism: its history, both ancient and modern, defense and implications.

Arguing for Atheism: A Rational Examination of Belief
Arguing for atheism often involves acknowledging the potential negative consequences of religious dogma and promoting a worldview based on reason, critical inquiry, and individual autonomy. H2: Addressing Common Objections to Atheism

Arguing For Atheism Robin Le Poidevin (book)
Unveiling the Power of Verbal Artistry: An Psychological Sojourn through Arguing For Atheism Robin Le Poidevin In a world inundated with screens and the cacophony of instantaneous transmission, the profound energy and mental

Atheism: Five Arguments for God - Carl F. H. Henry Center for ...
A sound argument must meet two conditions: (1) it is logically valid (i.e., its conclusion follows from the premises by the rules of logic), and (2) its premises are true. If an argument is sound, then the truth of the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises. But to be a good argument, it’s not enough that an argument be sound.

Arguingfor Atheism. An Introduction to the Philosophy of …
Arguing for Atheism well exhibits the fascination and philosophical central- ity of the Philosophy of Religion as anchoring otherwise abstract metaphysical issues in the pressing concerns of human existence.

Arguing for Atheism - Science
Arguing for Atheism. biological constraints that produce Fibonacci numbers in nature to the independent discov- ery (far earlier than in Europe) and use of Fibonacci numbers in ancient Indian poetry. With our brains fizzing from such cross-talk, …

The Art of Christian Atheism: Faith and Philosophy in Early …
In his early work, Martin Heidegger argues for a rigorous methodological atheism in philosophy, which is not opposed to religious faith but only to the impact of faith when one is philosophizing. For the young Heidegger, the philosopher, even though possibly a religious person, must be an atheist when doing philosophy.

FIVE ARGUMENTS FOR GOD - Christian Evidence
It’s perhaps something of a surprise that almost none of the so-called New Atheists has anything to say about arguments for God’s existence. Instead, they to tend to focus on the social effects of religion and question whether religious belief is good for society.

Hume’s Skepticism and the Problem of Atheism - PhilArchive
The central concern of this chapter is to advance a set of core arguments and distinctions in support of the atheistic interpretation. This approach begins with evidence to show that Hume did not endorse any form of theism, not even of a minimal or “attenuated” kind.

Arguing For Atheism An Introduction To The Philoso , Kerry …
Apr 13, 2024 · similarities between 'old' and 'new' atheism; places atheism of either variety in context by examining the naturalistic worldview that grounds it; provides a short historical sketch of atheism; examines a number of arguments against God-belief;

The Necessity of Belief, Or, The Trouble with Atheism
In an article published in the New York Times on March 12, 2006, Slavoj Žižek calls atheism “modern Europe’s most precious legacy” (2006). He claims that, amid rising religious violence, the defense of this precious legacy represents “perhaps our only chance for peace” (2006).