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 2 of 34)
16. 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
17. 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
18. Tony, your post hits really close to the mark. Catholicism and Islam have a lot in common. Many Protestant faiths believe God is their buddy and he's only there to help them out and never, ever judge them. Catholicism, perhaps because of its long tradition, is a purer form of Christianity than others. Islam, like Catholicism, teaches that salvation is only attained by submission to God. In fact, the word 'Islam' means submission. Both of these faiths preach a gospel of rules that religious fence-sitters don't want to hear. They'd rather have Joel Osteen tell them that if they believe in God, they'll be wealthy.
The problem for Catholics is that they believe God is real and tangible and identifiable, unlike guys like Osteen, whose God is whatever he wants it to be. Doing this, Catholics open themselves up to being debunked by science. Every time science makes a discovery, Catholicism must retreat.
I was a Catholic, born and raised, and I tried hard to believe. It wasn't that I didn't like to follow their rules, or that I disapproved of their positions on some controversial issues.
It was the overwhelming power of reason, logic, and the scientific process that pulled me away from Catholicism. I couldn't believe in something based on a book written by a prescientific culture that you admit is not a "flawless piece of literature." Therefore, I am an atheist.
I won't say that anyone is a fool for believing (my wife is a Christian), but I know, just as surely as you know there's a God, that you are dead wrong. You may think Dawkins is an arrogant jerk, but he's just being blunt about what he believes (or rather doesn't believe). Dinesh is just being blunt about what he believes, too, and he's insinuated that I am a communist (no), heartless (no), immoral (does not apply), and a fool (I'd like to think not).
Even if atheists really are arrogant, it wouldn't undermine the truth of our position at all. If the best Dinesh can dish out is ad hominem attacks, then I welcome it. It means he's out of logical ammo. Anyway, Tony, I thought your post was interesting.
AndrewV at 11:27AM on Nov 20th 2007
19. I always knew Pat Robertson was just too far gone, but even Rita can see through him!
I'd rather not spend the day talking about him, so I'll get my Thanksgiving affairs in order, thank all the monkeys who evolved into my family, and all the little dinosaurs who evolved into our yummy turkey!
Mokele Mbembe at 11:27AM on Nov 20th 2007
20. Susan,
No new news there. People have been trying to cover up the word of GOD for years. Haven't got it done yet and never will. But, good for you, at least you gave that bookshop employee job security.
Rita
Rita at 11:30AM on Nov 20th 2007
21. You know what, Somber. I kind of agree with you about this blog 'attracting' atheists. But I think that is because it turns into a forum for both theists and atheists, agnostics and deists. That's my attraction, anyway.
I am unabashedly atheist, but I am interested in seeing what the 'other side' has to say.
What we should REALLY do is blog on Jeff Hoard's board. IMO his blogs are clear headed and topical.
DD is just the same crap over and over and over. We end up talking about other things anyway.
I, for one, will be at GW in in the 5th. I can't wait to hear Michael Shermer mop the floor with ole DD
Linda at 11:30AM on Nov 20th 2007
22. why all the open hostility towards a guy and his view? why do these people who profess to be such academics spill their crass vitrolic pestisidic views all over this sight. i mean i would like one,one single athiest to tell me what hope he has for anything. what is one thing that he or she can offer anyone? just one. and before you say the truth or some other inane statement,what i want is hope. hope for the cripple, the hurting, the helpless, the homeless. the sick and the dieing. please, instead of spewing venom why not dispense hope in the name of your athiestic god, whatever his name might be
brian at 11:34AM on Nov 20th 2007
23. S0? Who cares about what one fanatically religious theocrat discusses with another? Does Dinesh agree with Robertson about assassinating foreign leaders? Does Dinesh agree with Robertson and the late Falwell as to the cause of 9/11? Both Dinesh and Robertson are so far out there in "never never land" that they have lost all sense of reality. Me thinks both are much too suffused with pride and arrogance to be considered anything "christian." Both measure their success in materialistic goals. That is called "prostitution of religion" for personal gain. That makes them both political, not religious.
Robert I. Laitres at 11:34AM on Nov 20th 2007
24. brian: perhaps you don't read this blog very often; many atheists are involved in good works, community service, activism. I myself have held the hand of dying patients and sat quietly while they prayed.
You offer hope with a fantasy invisible guy
I offer hope with let's get them physical therapy, let's get them medical care, let's help them get social services.
You obviously know few atheists.
And by the way, there is no god.
AND DD's blogs are all anti-atheist. You don't consider that negative?
Linda at 11:40AM on Nov 20th 2007
25. Brian,
Sir, that is the problem and why we are still stuck on this theory that these people are atheist.
Most of them know the Bible as well as I do. They have chosen to walk away from GOD in the name of atheistism. They will at some point in their lives find out that they should start back tracking and hopefully come back to CHRIST, or GOD which ever cause they are 3 in 1. Rita
Rita at 11:47AM on Nov 20th 2007
26. ATHEIST
I think Jeff Hoard needs to make a statement.
In the title of his next blog.
Show that he is willing to be the anti-Dinesh.
If not, then AOL should hire someone who is.
If three percent of Americans are atheists, that would be ten million. How many of them endorse genocide?
____________
Reply to:
D'SOUZA: Atheists are expressing frustration at getting regularly skewered on this blog.
This bring us to another issue.
What is WRONG with Dinesh?
Why does he feel that Atheists deserve to be skewered?
Ten million Americans who don't believe in a God.... why does that entitle a silly and immature little boy like Dinesh to skewer them?
I KNOW exactly why I say Christians are "gullible".
They are gullible. They believe nonsense.
___________
Reply to: It was the overwhelming power of reason, logic, and the scientific process that pulled me away from Catholicism. AndrewW
That's exactly what I mean.
when you stop being gullible, you see Catholicism for what it really is.
William Hays at 11:48AM on Nov 20th 2007
27. Theistic religions are based on fear, ignorance and paranoia. They prey on these human weaknesses and feed right into them and then exploit them. Because ultimately nothing motivates humans more effectively than fear. Ignorance is the kindling that keeps the fire of fear burning. Take away the ignorance and the fear dies out. That's why religions are afraid of science. Science represents the kind of knowledge and understanding that undermines the fear-paranoia-ignorance monopoly that religions desperately hold on to. So as anyone can plainly see, religion is one of the great evils of the world.
The minute you resort to fear tactics - punishment, hell, and all that grabage - to try to persuade me to believe something, instead of making sense, that's when I can rest assured you are full of it.
This is why I don't believe the garbage that religious people spew.
And a Happy Thanksgiving to all :-)
fabio at 12:22PM on Nov 20th 2007
28. The athesit's "problem" has been known but denied for a long, long time. Atheists CAN'T believe, it is never a problem of the mind but of the heart. God made some that simply cannot (ie, are unable to) believe. Why this is we don't know, but that is the way it is. The soil of their minds is just too rocky. Atheists have no choice in the matter, regardless of their protestations.
Frank at 12:24PM on Nov 20th 2007
29. lmao this is pathetic - "come and read my book if you fink you're 'ard enough!"
For your information DD Atheists come here because you are an easy target. Your argument are so fatuous and facile that we use you as target practice.
I haven't read your book but i have read reviews of it, mostly reviews by christians, And from what i can see it's nothing more than a collection of regurgitated fallacies that atheists have been kicking to death for the last 100 years.
God Be Gone at 12:29PM on Nov 20th 2007
30. To Somber at Post 1:
Before you call Dinesh adolesant, you may first want to learn how to spell adolescent.
kulari94 at 12:31PM on Nov 20th 2007