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 3 of 34)
31. The previous writer seems to have some sort of gastric upset with actually doing his own homework. I wonder if he had to hire someone to fill in for him on his wedding night?
Frank at 12:31PM on Nov 20th 2007
32. Dinesh,
Keep up the flogging.. I enjoy your enthusiasm and admire your confidence.
You give Great Hope to us Christians who do not have to fight for our faith ‘YET’..
I would like to let you know I am saying prayers for you that God may give you Guidance and Protection as you continue your mission. Since you are more concerned with following and looking for the TRUTH.. Your Advantage will Not Diminish.
Thanks again.
A friend in Canada..
And Remember what GK Chesterton said:” If it weren’t for God, There would be No Atheists”
Frank (from Canada) at 12:39PM on Nov 20th 2007
33. Rita,
you r so totally ignorant.wow. Dinesh D'souza is not jewish..he is roman catholic. I do not know where u got your information from, but it is wrong and I guess if you can get something as simple as that wrong, I cant for one sec believe anything else u have to say.
watever at 12:34PM on Nov 20th 2007
34. Frank: it's very simple why atheists don't believe in god(s)
We're the ones who have evolved.
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone.
Linda at 12:36PM on Nov 20th 2007
35. Linda: yes, i totally agree that "it is very simple." And yes, we have "changed" ... we now can brag about Mao, Dahmer, Pol Pot, Stalin, Milosovich, the "modern man." Linda, it is amazing that people can still rationally believe that man is better than he used to be or has evolved instead of DEvolved. OH! and how could i forget reality TV? Thanks for responding, Linda.
Frank at 12:43PM on Nov 20th 2007
36. That's right, Frank. There would be no atheists.
We would have reality instead of invisible fantasy friend who is all powerful but not really.
Linda at 12:43PM on Nov 20th 2007
37. Rita;
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?
The person who helped me survive. The person, not a god.
a born atheist at 12:52PM on Nov 20th 2007
38. Linda,
Oops, did Frank just put you in your place, how refreshing. Rita
Whatever,
Don't care if D'Souza is Catholic, Jew, Christian, Baptist, Methodist, as long as he believes in a risen savior and he worships the same Jesus I serve then he's right on in my book. Rita
Rita at 12:56PM on Nov 20th 2007
39. Born Atheist,
Don't you even come close to understanding, sorry no atheist in this soul only the love of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When the car swerved at the last minute and you were not involved in an accident, who did you thank since you are in LA LA land with this Born Atheist, who again is only theory and cannot be proved. Again and again I have tried to get you people to understand, we as Christians are going to stand up for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He pinned my sins to the cross to save me and you (dingdong). A born atheist indeed, you sound like on little mixed up person to me. Get your head on straight, then come back and we'll talk. I let you in on the information you need to secure eternal life. Rita
Rita at 1:04PM on Nov 20th 2007
40. What is the reason you guys always use? Oh right...they weren't true atheists. Nobody who is a true atheist could do such atrocities. So they weren't true athiests.
a born atheist at 1:07PM on Nov 20th 2007
41. Your fear of death and desire for there to be an afterlife affirms my view of religion.
a born atheist at 1:10PM on Nov 20th 2007
42. LOL Yes Rita, those Jews who believe in the same Jesus as you do...
AndrewV at 1:14PM on Nov 20th 2007
43. Folks! Re-read Somber's post (#1). All we're doing is making it look like Dinesh D'Moron is getting lots of interest in his book and/or blog.
IGNORE the ignorant trolls (Rita, for example) and DO NOT post here. Let's find another forum to do that where the creator (of the blog, not the Universe!) doesn't profit financially from posting anti-atheist bigotry.
brandon at 1:16PM on Nov 20th 2007
44. this.is.stupid.
Mokele Mbembe at 1:16PM on Nov 20th 2007
45. born atheist ... I have no fear of death, but I'm not atheist. Prove to me there is no god.
Same thing for Rita. Prove to me there IS a God.
You can't. Either one of you. You ~~BOTH~~ have beliefs based on experiences, neither of you have FACTS.
From my vantage, both sides are equally foolish and dogmatic. You (athiest and christian) are so much alike that you could be twins.
WHERE IS THE PROOF FOR OR AGAINST GOD?!?!?
(... here's a hint. There is NONE!)
chuckles at 1:17PM on Nov 20th 2007