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 4 of 34)
46. Boring Atheist,
These people we call demonize. Or crazier than any human can be. Where did they evolve from? Some say that they were born that way!!!! Some say they were probably so severely abused as a child that they became insane. You know in our today's society where GOD has been told to leave our schools, and now the government, you know your brand you (just feel good society, whatever you want take it society) to heck with anyone, or anything that might get in the way. You know things like children lives, taking care of how we treat each other. Banning together as One Nation Under God, just a few of the problems that I as an adult see going on. Atheist now, go figure, if you think for one moment in time that you are in control of anything in your life think again. Rita
Rita at 1:19PM on Nov 20th 2007
47. If you base your life on your experiences alone then you are an athiest.
a born atheist at 1:20PM on Nov 20th 2007
48. Prove there is no God, born atheist.
chuckles at 1:21PM on Nov 20th 2007
49. Chuckles,
Would agnosticism qualify as a neutral ground, refusing to accept anything until proven?
Mokele Mbembe at 1:22PM on Nov 20th 2007
50. Chuckles,
You really make me laugh, try reading the only #1 top selling book of all times. Try looking at your family, (if you have one) and think where did they come from. Go outside and have a look around, smell the air. God said, "The man who says there is no God is the fool", just a hint, you can also find that in the bible. God breathed live into Adam, and then he looked at him and said, "I believe I can do better than that and created Eve" no just kidding, go to the word of God and it will explain in everyday English that Jesus loves you and wants only the best for you. Don't see any simularity there between a theory and GOD's word. Rita
Rita at 1:28PM on Nov 20th 2007
51. Why? Trying to prove there isn't one would give the idea credibility. Making that effort in no way improves my survival or the suvival of my offspring or the survival of the human species. It would be a waste of time.
a born atheist at 1:26PM on Nov 20th 2007
52. Neutral ground? Depends on your terminology, doesn't it?
Agnosticsm, if I may, is he belief that there can be no proof either that God exists or that God does not exist.
It is not a nuetral ground if you believe that by being a nuetral ground, one can go one way or the other in a debate.
Agnosticism is the 3rd level, laughing if you will, an the inane and foolish blustering of the times "Yes you did" "No I didn't" argument of the ages children.
chuckles at 1:27PM on Nov 20th 2007
53. You know, nobody even reads these things anymore, I don't think. But since the title says "I discuss atheism with a hypocrite ultra-zealot like Pat Robertson," I can happily assume that this is yet another "oh, you poor little agnostics and atheists and non-christians in general, ho ho, we are far better than you" article. VERY mature, there, Dinesh, really. I did actually read the first paragraph just because I always get a good chuckle at your close-minded ignorant religious views and personal opinions that you've usually gotten by ripping them from other people who said it first, and the thing that really made me laugh was "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." Yet, most the time, I notice you never make any replies yourself to many of people who debunk everything you say. Instead you just write another article that suggests your nose has actually turned itself up even higher into the air, although physically that can't be possible anymore. Which leads me to believe you're the true masochist in that you keep making these ignorant, close-minded posts about a religion that was made two thousand years ago by a bunch of people who couldn't understand the concept of physics and gravity let alone the universe, which is EASY fodder for debunking because it's clear you never do any of your own research and you just keep regurgitating the same ideas over and over again.
Mr. D'Souza, I lack respect for you in every way. I've read your book, and not only is a bunch of your theories even more ambiguous than the ones you claim to refute so well but it's only solidified my belief that christians are little more than snooty, insecure pricks who need to claim that their beliefs are the 'one true belief' in order to cover for the fact that in truth they even sometimes feel a sense of loneliness spiritually.
No matter what you say, Mr. D'Souza, there is no proof that death means transcendence, even if there is a god, no proof in souls, nor in the existence of a omnipotent superbeing that even knows what the hell we are. Nothing but ambiguity throughout all religions. They all require FAITH. They never make any attempt to prove anything in their so-called holy books. They just ask for faith and expect it.
Sorry. But I require PROOF. Besides...if the bible IS the one true book, I'm not worried about doubting God. After all he said it was our choice to worship him or not, to believe in him or not, and that we would be judged by our actions, not our beliefs, so you can keep trying to convert everyone but I'd rather not. Considering I'll be saving myself a LOT of time that is NOT wasted praying to someone who may or may not be listening, I think God'll let me into heaven since I'll be living my life. If he gave it to me, then he wanted me to live it to the fullest, and that means no time wasted on stupid penis-measuring crap like religion.
Living without fear, only doubt,
Gregory "LG" Mills
Greg at 1:30PM on Nov 20th 2007
54. hey chuckles, its logically impossible to PROVE the nonexistence of something. The burden of proof is always on the person making an assertion, not a negation. Therefore, atheism wins by default.
And Rita, write complete, coherent sentences PLEASE
AndrewV at 1:30PM on Nov 20th 2007
55. 49. Why? ... It would be a waste of time.
LOL... EXACTLY and thank you.
So much for your brand of "Atheism"
chuckles at 1:30PM on Nov 20th 2007
56. I wouldn't waste my time trying to disprove Santa either. Doesn't mean that I am on the fence about his existence.
a born atheist at 1:34PM on Nov 20th 2007
57. Poor Rita, still trying to convert everyone as your lord told you to do?
Sorry, you won't convert me. I have had better teachers than you for most of my life, in more denominations that you have ever heard of, yet you try. Perhaps your crown in heaven will have one jewel with my name on because you planted the seed. Or not.
I still need proof, Rita. Not a book. Until I get a Christophany of my very own, such as claimed by Saul of Tarsis, I will tell you there is no proof.
Oh, and 'watever'... no one takes you seriously until you can learn to communicate without using text shorthand.
chuckles at 1:35PM on Nov 20th 2007
58. One more thing, Rita, you say that there is proof. Look at my family, smell the air... And that's your supposed proof?
The air was created by the gas expelled from volcanoes during the Earth's transition from star to planet. The family was created by genetics forming into a living person.
Proof, you ignorant bible-thumping twit, is undeniable, inarguable.
If there was true proof of god, there could be no atheists, and therefore, no agnostics such as myself.
Greg at 1:37PM on Nov 20th 2007
59. AndrewV ... Win by default? LOL.. no. Thanks for playing and feel free to play again.
If you have spent any time on this board at all you would realize that the rabid atheists here KNOW there is no GOD. The very definition of KNOWING requires proof. If you want to call yourself a true ATHIEST you have to KNOW there is NO GOD... how you are going to prove that?
Well, as you said, you can't prove a negative. So you have to BELIEVE there is no God. No wait!.. BELIEVE?!?!?! Just like the Christians BELIEVE there is a God?!?!
Neither side can prove or disprove.
But, damn, it's entertaining to watch them try.
chuckles at 1:40PM on Nov 20th 2007
60. 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.
-------------------------------------------------
I am? I have?
Now DD's moving into the Douchebag phase of religiosity.
I'm done commenting on this blog, then. This is my last. Save the tears, Rita.
Dinesh, I was enjoying reading all the christian comments on here for my amusement, but you've ceased to be amusing now. If you think your band of christian mouth-breathers can skewer anything more complex than a skanky piece of beef at a barbecue, you're dreaming.
I'll miss it, though. This is where I used to go to argue with the schizophrenics. Damn.
I still can't believe what a douche Dinesh turned out to be.
Seriously, the best way to get to this guy is NOT TO COMMENT on his blog. I get it now. It's not worth commentary anyhow. certainly not anymore. Let the fundies find themselves alone in the room. Hell, they'll only fight with each other over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin or something retarded like that...
I will say in parting that you christians of the Dinesh brand were some of the most ig-ner-unt ones that I'd ever met. You deserve him, and he you.
Brian at 1:41PM on Nov 20th 2007