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 5 of 34)
61. Ad hominem attacks on the way out the door, Brian? I expected more from you.
Sounds like not only have you ceded defeat, you're taking your ball and going home because you didn't get to be the quarterback... lol
buhbye.
chuckles at 1:46PM on Nov 20th 2007
62. Good job, Chuckles, you proved Brian right.
Greg at 1:48PM on Nov 20th 2007
63. 55. 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
*************
Funny.. I've been to the North Pole and guess what I found? Nothing! No Santa's Workshop.
You're reaching again. Nice try.
Prove there is no God.
chuckles at 1:48PM on Nov 20th 2007
64. That's funny, Greg, as Brian wasn't MAKING a point to prove or disprove, make or break. He was just saying goodbye.
Do you have anything of value to add to that?
Thought not.
chuckles at 1:51PM on Nov 20th 2007
65. Oh, and one last thing that I forgot to say, particularly in response to today's idiotic blog, and as a parting comment at our esteemed ringmaster.
Dinesh D'Souza, fuck you.
There. That about covers it.
Brian at 1:52PM on Nov 20th 2007
66. ROFL... now what point was he making Greg?!?!
You're right. Some deep intellectual debating going on there.
Right....
Too funny!!
chuckles at 1:53PM on Nov 20th 2007
67. He has a point and I am sitting here laughing at how many people have taken the bait. If you are offended by what he has written then maybe you have have a reason to be defensive. Does it pertain to you?
One part I do find a tad inaccurate is the one-sided comments. I have noticed many people with their nervous systems gone haywire, but this includes BOTH Atheists and Christians. I contemplated naming exact names of frequent regulars to this blog none of which dwell solely on one side of the fence. I doubt doing that would help the situation. Unbalanced people fail to see reason even when it slaps them in the face.
Dinesh knows how to ruffle some feathers. It's almost comical.
E at 1:54PM on Nov 20th 2007
68. AndrewV,
I can prove the nonexistance of even prime numbers greater than 2.
Brian,
Don't go! sob. WHY?!
Mokele Mbembe at 1:54PM on Nov 20th 2007
69. Chuckles wrote: "Prove there is no God."
I don't think I can prove that there is no God. Maybe I can prove that all bachelors are unmarried males. But I can't prove that there is no God. However, it is LIKELY that there aren't any Gods. No person knows of any event caused by a God, and I haven't experienced anything remotely similar to a God. Similarly, it's likely that there aren't any vampires.
Wes at 1:54PM on Nov 20th 2007
70. The myth surrounding santa is just a 'guide' to live your life by, it's not meant to be literal. He is really everywhere and all around us, how else would he know who has been good or bad? Going to spend the rest of your life attempting to disprove?
a born atheist at 1:56PM on Nov 20th 2007
71. Rita wrote: "When will you guys understand that this you are not atheist."
I'm an atheist. I believe that there are no Gods.
Wes at 1:56PM on Nov 20th 2007
72. Thank you for that response Wes. You have reinforced the agnostic point of view that some here on this board have claimed to be atheism.
Welcome to the Agnostic Club, have a beer, and watch the fun scroll by.
chuckles at 1:57PM on Nov 20th 2007
73. Chuckles, he was making the point that Dinesh can go fuck himself. And you proved him right. Because you too can do the same exact thing. The internet is serious business, oh yes. *Laughs* Ohh, whatever, I'm done here, I've said my piece and all you immature, ignorant, close-minded dumbasses of the internet can go and say whatever you like. Maybe it'll cushion the blow that you inwardly all feel, knowing I'm right.
Yes, Chuckles, that goes for you too.
Greg at 1:58PM on Nov 20th 2007
74. Frank at 30:
What do you mean when you write - the previous writer has a problem with doing his homework?
The point I was making is that Somber should probably learn to spell adolescent correctly before calling someone an adolescent. We all make spelling mistakes, but one of the worst times to make a spelling error is when insulting someone else's intelligence, especially when you fail to correctly spell the perjorative term. That's like calling someone a idoit. Actually, I thought it was funny. As indicated by Somber's posting, many of the people attacking DD's intelligence may be lacking in that department.
Your comment about homework and hiring someone on wedding night to do the honors (???) says alot about you. I don't see sex as homework or work, for that matter. Apparently, you do. I'd encourage you to hit the gym. Maybe then sex would not be so much work.
kulari94 at 1:59PM on Nov 20th 2007
75. Chuckles wrote: "Thank you for that response Wes. You have reinforced the agnostic point of view that some here on this board have claimed to be atheism."
What do you mean? Could you elaborate on that?
Wes at 1:58PM on Nov 20th 2007