Atheists are expressing frustration at getting regularly skewered on this blog. Our atheist friends, however, are regular masochists since they keep coming back for their daily corrections. Perhaps, deep down, these guys recognize that they have problems which are not atheist problems but rather human problems. These human problems, however, have no solution other than God. Some atheists who have read What's So Great About Christianity have confessed that it has shaken their atheism. Precisely for this reason, I suspect that many dogmatic atheists will refuse to read a book that uses reason and science and evidence to question to their hidden metaphysical assumptions. Who wants to have their pompous pose --"I am an apostle of reason who believes things only based on evidence"-- exposed as a fraud?
A few days ago I appeared on Pat Robertson's 700 Club to discuss the new atheism that is out there, and the new apologetics that I believe is necessary to counter it. I don't know if Robertson calls himself a "fundamentalist," but certainly his critics call him that. My book is not a defense of fundamentalism but rather of traditional Christianity, what C.S. Lewis called "mere Christianity." Also Robertston has endorsed Giuliani, a hasty move in my view, but our interview had nothing to do with politics but focused entirely on atheist claims and how they can be effectively countered. Needless to say, I could give only the briefest summary of my arguments, but that's the nature of the television medium. You can watch my interview with Pat Robertson here.
If you want more, you have to come to one of my debates. On November 30, I'll be debating philosopher Daniel Dennett on "Is God a Man-Made Invention." The event is at 7 pm at the Cabot Auditorium at Dennett's home campus, Tufts University. On December 5, I'm debating Skeptic magazine editor Michael Shermer on "Is Christianity Good for the World?" That's at 7 pm at the Marvin Center at George Washington University. Both events are free and open to the public. On December 9 Shermer and I are taking the argument to the West Coast, where we will debate at 2 pm at Beckman Auditorium at Cal Tech. For tickets call the Cal Tech public events office at 1-888-222-5832.
Still no word from Richard Dawkins on my offer to debate him. He was confident enough when it came to taking on televangelist Ted Haggard for his TV documentary, but this confidence seems to have vanished when it comes to taking on a scholar who is fully capable of exposing his dubious arguments and false claims. Time to come out of the closet, Richard.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 34)
1. You know Dinesh has finally made a good point. Why do atheists come to these threads and drive up his reply count through the roof, which ultimately works in his favor, when all he does is recite the same tired spheals and shrills his book? So here is my plea to all the Atheists on this forum. Do NOT respond to this thread. Boycott this Dinesh thread. There are infinitely better things to do than to waste time with this man's adolesant thoughts.
Atheists: boycott this thread.
Somber at 10:03AM on Nov 20th 2007
2. Richard - do NOT debate Mr. D'Souza. It would not shed light on whether or not there is a god. It would not shed light on whether or not religion is good for civilization. After the debate, no one will have changed their views on morality or the supernatural. It, instead, will only divide us further by shrill sophistry, distracting us from productive endeavors.
jamesg4336 at 10:09AM on Nov 20th 2007
3. As a Catholic, I have a hard time understanding the brand of Christianity which Pat Robertson preaches.
At the same time, I am just as aggravated with Pat Robertson's Christianity as I am with Richard Dawkin's Atheism. A lot of the atheists I know are smug asswipes who think any person with faith is a poor misguided fool. The evangelical Christians I know are just as annoying. Like many Catholics, I have made up my mind that the Bible is not the world's most flawless piece of literature... so I can't understand how people take it so literally.
In fact, I'll go so far as to say that I can relate much more to Islam than I can to most forms of Evangelical Christianity.
My reasoning? Look at Islam's 5 Pillars in comparison to Catholic religious practices (sorry, this has little to do with Dinesh's above post, but I have gone off on a tangent from which I cannot return at this point):
Pillar I: There is no god but God.
- Read the opening lines to either the Apostle's Creed or Nicene Creed. You will be amazed.
Pillar II: Pray five times a day.
-While my generation has been a bit lazy on prayer, my parents' and grandparents' generations would pray after waking up, at each of their three meals and when going to bed. That comes to a total of... hmmmm.... Five daily prayers?
Pillar III: Almsgiving.
-Alms are collected at every Catholic mass.
Pillar IV: Fasting during Ramadan.
-Catholics fast during Lent.
Pillar V: Pilgrimage to Mecca.
- Catholics worldwide make pilgrimages to the Vatican. On any given day St. Peter's Square in the Vatican looks a bit like the Kabaa in Mecca.
Now, I don't really have anything against evangelicals like Pat Robertson or atheists like Richard Dawkins... but I'm more likely to find some common ground regarding faith with the Supreme Leader of Iran than those two.
Tony Messinger at 10:19AM on Nov 20th 2007
4. Expressing frustration? Getting skewered?
Only if you think your lies skewer us, Dinesh. Also, you mistake disgust with your inexcusable series of lies for frustration. For instance: Dinesh will never name names as to those "atheists" who were "shaken" by his book. Why? Because they don't exist! He made that up to make it appear as if his childish prattling that has been refuted to death for centuries actually makes a non-believer reconsider.
So other than just being annoyed and disgusted at your penchant for lying, Dinesh, we just laugh at your utter stupidity.
And still no word from Dinesh on my offer to debate him. C'mon Dinesh--are you scared? You seem to imply that Dawkins is scared. Are you scared of me? Yeah, you are. And the fact that you won't give me a response proves that you're scared of me.
Hey--if you think it works for you re: Dawkins, it has to work for me.
Knight_of_BAAWA at 10:22AM on Nov 20th 2007
5. Guys & Gals,
When will you guys understand that this you are not atheist. You at one point might have walked away from your beliefs but that is not being an atheist, that is being a blasphemer. Anyway, have a lot to get accomplished today so all take care and have a Great Thanksgiving and Mr. D'Souza you also. Just a real quick question, when the car swerved, or someone grab you at the corner just in time to keep you from being run over and being thankful, since you claim to be atheist, who did you thank? Just a thought. Rita
Rita at 10:28AM on Nov 20th 2007
6. "If you study science deep enough and long enough it will force you to believe in God." British scientist Lord Kelvin
Greg at 10:35AM on Nov 20th 2007
7. Dinesh, I think Dawkins rightly believes you to be a complete waste of his time since all you do is regurgitate the same tired old chestnuts which have been placed upon the table and dealt with many times over.
Indeed, it would be hopelessly redundant for anyone to take several steps backward so as to deal with your nonsense when you alone should be trying to catch up to the current debate.
It's not that anyone is scared, you see. You're just not worth anyone's time so long as you remain ideologically locked in arguments people have discussed and put away over a decade ago, Dinesh.
When you come up with a vigorous new argument, perhaps someone will pay more attention to you. As it stands now, however, you're just scribbling crappy manifestos in pursuit of some sort of knee-jerk emotional reaction while aimlessly hoping to plug a failing book every time you string together a simple sentence.
Dan at 10:51AM on Nov 20th 2007
8. Perhaps dd was referring to Rita
(sarcasm dripping all over the floor)
stuart joshua at 10:54AM on Nov 20th 2007
9. Tony,
In the first place Christian, Catholics, Methodist, or any other god loving person could not and should not follow Pat Robertson. He is a tv
personality and definately not Christian. On the other hand there are a lot of Christians on the tv
that have the message of the LORD and give us the truth, Pat Roberson is not amoung those people. The bible warns about false people coming in his name. Common every day intelligence should help you dedcide which is truth and which is false. Pat Roberson is not truth about JESUS CHRIST.Rita
Rita at 10:54AM on Nov 20th 2007
10. Oh, Good morning to you stuart. Just wondering are you one of these people who get up and say "GOOD MORNING GOD" or "GOOD GOD MORNING", you seem awful grumpy this morning. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and you should at least be thankful that there is some one who cares enough about you to get back in touch. Lovely day here, getting ready to get cold, makes you know your alive. Try not to get stuck in the muck today and get a little more with the articule written about Pat Roberson, who in my opinion is definately not anything to do with Christianty in this world today. He is just a tv personality, a poor one at that. Rita
Rita at 11:00AM on Nov 20th 2007
11. A meeting of Tweedle dumb and Tweedle dumber
Geoff at 11:01AM on Nov 20th 2007
12. Mostly name calling in the comments above...but some insights also.
It's worthwhile to debate tho I agree - the debate between two persons of approximately similar credentials may not "convert" anyone, but at least it can clear out the cobwebs and the poor assumptions.
Christians have BENEFITED from non Christians pointing out the poor assumptions and the substandard interpretations of the Bible.
'As iron sharpens iron, so one man (or in my case woman) sharpens another".
But shame on those atheists who want to SHUT OUT the mere discussion of "is there an intelligence behind the DESIGN"???
Those ostrich atheists now must complain about DSouza's book sales (or Ben Stein's movie title change).
What petty ways to avoid looking long and hared at reality . i.e. to assess the evidence against and FOR God...
Disperse the postmodern FOG at 11:04AM on Nov 20th 2007
13. As an atheist I read Dimwits blog for the same reason I read the comic strip in the morning newspaper. It is an amusing way to start the day reading about cartoon caricatures and their silly, inane ideas couched in terms of being 'insightful'
Geoff at 11:09AM on Nov 20th 2007
14. Somber - you're absolutely right. This is the last time I'm going to comment on one of his blogs. Before I leave, I wanted to share a little anecdote with everyone. I was in the bookstore the other day and saw D'souza's new book on the shelves. I immediately grabbed one of Christopher Hitchen's books and placed it over D'souza's, thinking to myself how much it would piss off the prideful, money-grubbing little liar. I vowed to do it every time I see his book and I highly suggest we all do the same. I hope he reads this too because the only way one can really get under this guy's skin is through his wallet (since truth and reason don't seem to work).
Oh - and one more thing D'souza. Think you're a big tough guy calling out Richard Dawkins, huh? Why don't YOU ever respond to the many bloggers on this website who so easily refute all your BS lies. Who's the real chicken sh*t???
susan_harris78 at 11:18AM on Nov 20th 2007
15. Geoff,
Just a question, how did you come to the observation that you are an atheist? Since, it is only a theory, how in the world did you find a correct definition for it. You have to have a higher power even if you have decided that would be yourself, so I'm just wondering cause you go on about Mr. D'Souza which we all know is Jewish and since I support him knowing that his people put my LORD to death back in those days why can't you give a plausable reason for your beliefs. Don't want you to misunderstand, I support the Jewish belief and their country as GOD has instructed me to do, although to this day they deny that he has come. So, please explain where you have received your so called Atheistism. Rita
Rita at 11:25AM on Nov 20th 2007