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 34 of 34)
496. Funny how many people here refer to D'Souza's work as "lies," "shrill sophistry," and "empty rhetoric." To date I have only seen a few of his blog critics address any specific arguments, and the small number who do offer absolutely NOTHING in the way of a scholarly, intelligent rebuttal. Come on atheists - try to contribute something worthwhile to the debate. I mean, after all, aren't you people the ones who arrogantly claim to have the corner on reason?? Not from what I have seen here.
JSL at 7:42PM on Nov 27th 2007
497. This is exactly what I don’t understand about this debate: why does anyone feel compelled to “effectively counter” “atheist claims”? What do atheists’ do that necessitates combat? Seriously, anyone from either side answer my question.
kbates at 8:16PM on Nov 27th 2007
498. bump
fabio at 9:33PM on Nov 27th 2007
499. http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
prffsrx at 11:36PM on Nov 27th 2007
500. I don't have anything of "real" value to add to this discussion, but I would like to say that I highly enjoy reading Dan's posts. They make me laugh and think at the same time while raising a very valid point. I'm a through and through Christian who doesn't like Dinesh. So how about adding me to the tally of believers who believe in the redeeming power of Christ and also believes that Dinesh is a self promoter. He is someone who puts enough spin on his stories that we become dizzy. The very fact you even had that much to say to Robertson takes away a few points off your credentials with your targeted audience.
danny at 2:06PM on Nov 28th 2007
501. Also I would like to quote C.S. Lewis since Dinesh so loves to name drop highly read pro-Christian authors (including himself). I have already stated in the post above that I am a Christian but in his book Mere Christianity Lewis states "One must be a pagan before becoming a true believer." So why must you be so critical towards the atheists, even if they are blatantly violent about their own beliefs at times. Wasn't it Jesus who said to turn the other cheek? These atheists on here are still our worldly brothers and I love them just the same. Christ said to witness to the lost, but I choose to let people live and let live and hopefully can witness through my actions rather than my rantings and oppression. You see this as a war..I see it as a meeting of people using the power of thought.
danny at 2:23PM on Nov 28th 2007