1. Common New Atheist Fallacies

Comment #201230 by logos_tech on June 29, 2008 at 12:59 pm

Greg Koukl is certainly correct in saying that ridicule does not make an argument and it often serves as a substitute for one. However, what he says regarding smart intelligent intellectuals regarding spiritual matters is misleading. Can such individuals be wrong? Certainly. Can such individuals be right? Yes. Of course it is their arguments that should be assessed accordingly and one of the important aspects to keep in mind is that the same tools for assessing any claim apply to religious and spiritual claims as well. Either such a claim is well supported or it is not. If Mr. Koukl wishes to claim that I am committing the fallacy of circular reasoning by "assuming" what some theologians would contest, namely that such matters are outside the realm of reason and therefore require faith and/or revelation, then I say he is in fact appealing to special pleading, which is itself a well known fallacy. I doubt he would let any claim he disagrees with get away with this and neither should he.

For this reason special pleading should be covered as well. After all, as I already stated, there is no reason to believe or accept that religion or "spiritual matters" require something other than reason and critical thinking to assess its claims.

Circular reasoning is certainly something to be aware of and avoided, but so is special pleading.

2. Creationist critics get their comeuppance

Comment #199848 by logos_tech on June 26, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Brilliant! Let's see Intelligent Design or Creationism get results like this!

3. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #199194 by logos_tech on June 25, 2008 at 9:56 am

Maybe they'll have an easier time gaining the support of local Mormons if they rephrase the amendment as marriage is between "A man and women".

4. Logical Proof of the Existence of a Divine Creator, Why Atheism is Not Logically Sound

Comment #191038 by logos_tech on June 10, 2008 at 6:30 am

"One cannot conclude a column like this without mentioning philosophical and logical proofs of the Divinity of the Bible, the Torah. To begin with, the Bible is the only book in the history of mankind to make the claim that part of it was given by the Creator in front of an entire nation (of 600,000 families, totaling a few million people).

If someone were to come along today with a book, claiming that its Divine transmission had been witnessed by millions of people, they'd be laughed out of the room. One cannot convince an entire nation, including its greatest analytical thinkers and its most ardent skeptics, that such a transmission occurred and had been witnessed by them when it hadn't. To those who would counter "What if the Bible came along a few hundred years later?" (claiming to have been witnessed a few hundred years back), such a claim would have been met with equal ridicule, just as a book claiming to have been given by the Creator, as witnessed by millions in the 1700s would be met with ridicule today. There would have been a well known history of such a happening. Simply put, a book that claims to have been Divinely given to millions cannot take hold on a widespread level if it is not true."

I don't know who the atheists this author claims to speak to, but the argument from design he presents has been adequately dealt with by several authors from David Hume to Richard Dawkins.
In addition R.D. Gold addresses the above argument in his book "Bondage of the Mind". After all, what is the source we are asked to rely on that that many individuals witnessed the supposed revelation? It seems human credulity knows no bounds. Just take a look at the Mormon faith begun by just a few.

5. Anti-gay Okla. lawmaker attracts 1,000 backers

Comment #154466 by logos_tech on April 3, 2008 at 10:18 am

"Studies show no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than a few decades," Kern said in the recorded comments. "It is not a lifestyle that is good for this nation."


Just what studies show this? As usual references are lacking as the demagogue keeps spouting.

6. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #151270 by logos_tech on March 28, 2008 at 11:00 am

I was repeatedly told, with my upbringing, that a Christian walks by faith not by sight. Of course this never prevented my parents from telling me to look both ways before crossing the street. If only the parents had relied more on observation. Perhaps then their daughter would still be alive. The parents should have looked both ways before crossing the street.

7. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150443 by logos_tech on March 26, 2008 at 11:30 pm

Happy Birthday! Thanks for all that you do to inspire and enlighten us all!

8. The argument from oranges

Comment #128905 by logos_tech on February 18, 2008 at 9:10 am

Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

9. Happy Birthday Josh Timonen!

Comment #118796 by logos_tech on January 31, 2008 at 1:58 am

Hey, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday! You've been a great friend above and beyond what most friends are and I greatly appreciate it. I know a lot of people are grateful for the work you've done on the website as am I. What you've done is incredible and, in many ways, beyond words. But you've always excelled at what you put your mind to and in this way you've shown just how great a human being you are with both your talent and generosity. So, enjoy this celebratory day! For not only have you earned it, but it is also a day all your friends and family gratefully acknowledge!

10. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111655 by logos_tech on January 15, 2008 at 10:33 am

Dear Mr. Scales,

Thank you for all your support. Your generosity and kindness are greatly appreciated. You're truly an inspiration. I wish you the best of health along with a speedy recovery.

Best Wishes,

Rob Singleton

11. Moderates Storm The Religious Battlefield

Comment #107344 by logos_tech on January 4, 2008 at 12:07 pm

"If 2008 is the year when we can begin, in private and in public, to concede that we don't know all the answers, then let us say" ... thank goodness.

12. Evolution and Texas

Comment #94323 by logos_tech on December 5, 2007 at 9:44 am

Perhaps someone ought to inform Ben Stein. Looks like another example for his film "Expelled". (emphasis on irony)

13. Daniel Dennett Debates Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #93300 by logos_tech on December 2, 2007 at 3:53 pm

D'Souza is certainly correct in saying that it wouldn't be prudent to use the universe and its laws as an explanation for the creator of such a universe and those laws. However, this is not the same as saying such a creator would be without cause. This is why his analogy of the book and its author is mistaken. Certainly the explanation for the characters and plot are different from the explanation of the author, but this doesn't mean the author is without explanation nor does it imply that the author's explanation is somehow contained within himself or herself. So, we are still left with the question, "What caused God?". In addition D'Souza, in speaking of humility and ignorance, may want to consider the possibility that consciousness does have a material explanation. Just as such laws do not account for the Big Bang neither do creation or consciousness. Both elements are also part of the universe as a whole and, by D'Souza's logic, would be just as inadequate in explaining the origin of the universe. Would he consider this in the same way he thinks the atheist caveman ought to acknowledge his or her ignorance?

14. 'Expelled' Movie: The Extended Trailer

Comment #88315 by logos_tech on November 16, 2007 at 12:49 am

What's needed is a film, possibly Expelled 2, showing how Holocaust Deniers are denied tenure, jobs and what not. Perhaps if this is done the public will take notice of what exactly is being foisted upon them in the name of "fairness". Holocaust denial is not history and ID is not science!

15. Atheists don't believe in anything

Comment #82431 by logos_tech on October 26, 2007 at 10:16 am

I believe in fraternity, liberty and equality. I believe in self-governance. I believe in the separation of church and state as the best means for protecting religion from itself as well as the non-religious from religion.