Answers for Atheists Part 2: Objective Truth and No Evidence for God – Patheos

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In my last article, I (and Matthew Graham) responded to atheists claims of greater rationality and consistency in the atheistic position. In this article, we tackle more responses to my appeal. As before, The Latin Rights response is listed under TLR Answers. Any corrections will be to grammar only. Thank you.

Response #4

Illithid

Wow, Im so very late to the party! Quote any of this you wish. For whatever its worth, I trust you to do so honestly, which I cannot say for some (*cough* Dave Armstrong).

A few of the things you cite as appealing about atheism, I do find appealing. Mostly 3 through 6. Number one is a relief for those previously indoctrinated into belief in Hell, but I wasnt raised with much religion, so it hasnt been an issue for me. And I find that I dont require meaning in the way that many say they do. But those arent reasons to be an atheist, just cool things about it. The reason to be an atheist is one from your list: objective truth. A rational epistemology which leads to verifiable, objective truth in other areas of life leads naturally to disbelief in religion, just as it leads to disbelief in astrology, homeopathy, and psychics.

For a rationalist, belief isnt a choice (I dont claim to be a perfect rationalist, but I try). Pending good evidence, I can no more believe in gods than I can believe in ghosts or magic spells, or that the world is flat. And I find it interesting to observe the mental gymnastics that intelligent and otherwise rational people will undertake in order to preserve their religious beliefs.

For example, my MIL is an intelligent and independent woman with a legal education. Shes no easy prey for scams or con artists. She understands rules of evidence and burden of proof. And all that flies straight out one ear when she goes to church, where she will swallow any fool thing that preacher says, on any subject whatsoever. Because hes a man of God, and so, trustworthy. Thats a flawed and dangerous mindset, and Im pleased not to share it.

I find it interesting that tough minded atheists place such a high value on objective truth. This is something I think thoughtful Christians have in common with such atheists. Unfortunately, most of the atheists I have dialogue with use lay church goers and pastors as their intellectual foil. Unfortunately, most church goers and even pastors are underwhelming in their ability to understand and or defend historic Christianity.

I appreciate the tough minded atheist. We may not agree on what is true, but I think we both have a dedication to the truth. I do wonder, why would you want to be a rationalist? That philosophical school doesnt really carry much weight these days. The empiricists and then Immanuel Kant moved philosophy away from a rigid form of rationalism. Im not familiar with any philosophers who think we need to go back to Descartes or Spinoza.

Good epistemology doesnt demand claims be verifiable (certainly not empirically verifiable) to be warranted. Im not sure if you are going in this direction, but empirical rationalism/verificationism/logical positivism have long been set aside due to numerous problems they present as restrictive criteria for knowledge.

In sum, I appreciate your dedication to the truth! But I wonder if there is some work to do in your underlying epistemology if in fact you lean towards some kind of rational empiricism/logical positivism.

Response #5

Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz

I am an atheist simply because of the fact that I have not seen any compelling argument or evidence for a deity.

What is your account for the existence of matter and consciousness? You are also a mind that uses reason, correct? In what way is a belief in another higher mind irrational? To me, the most convincing proof God exists is existence itself. I simply find it irrational to believe that something came from nothing without a cause. It seems like magic to me.

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Answers for Atheists Part 2: Objective Truth and No Evidence for God - Patheos