Who's the Arrogant One?

As an atheist one of the most common and tiring accusations I find myself facing from Christians is that of being prideful or arrogant. At times it seems it is impossible to question a person’s faith without them thinking you are hard headed and arrogant. I was talking with an old friend of mine and she was asking me about pride, in particular mine. She asked me if my current disbelief in the Christian god wasn’t simply a matter of being prideful/arrogant? Basically who am I to judge God? Of course that meant her god and her beliefs about him.

My Story-Taking the OTF and Not Even Knowing It

My name is Zach and I am a recovering evangelical Christian. It was about two and a half years ago, shortly before graduating from a Christian seminary with my Master’s in theology that my eyes (mind, heart, etc.) were opened and I saw my Christian faith for what it was; false.

Thomas Riskas in "Deconstructing Mormonism" Uses the OTF

In his massive 480 page book, Deconstructing Mormonism: An Analysis and Assessment of the Mormon Faith, published by American Atheist Press, Thomas Riskas is the first author to use my OTF against a different religion, Mormonism. On page xxxiii he writes:

Rethinking PZ Myers on the Accomodation vs Confrontation Debate

I am re-thinking this whole debate in order to come to a better understanding of it. See what you think of this exchange between Douglas Kirk and myself.

Why Christians Should Read This Blog and Our Books

Dr. Hector Avalos said it best:

Debunking is an important part of the scientific and historical enterprise. That is why most educated people today don't believe in a flat earth or in exorcism as a medical treatment. Link

Given that people are so prone to confirmation bias they OUGHT to seek out the naysayers just to keep them honest.

Who Answers Prayers?

[Written by John Loftus] Christians claim that any prayer request granted for other believers in different religions is done by their God out of compassion, because only one God exists, theirs. The reason Christians think this, despite the fact that only prayers offered in Jesus' name are to be prayed, is because their own answered prayers have no more evidence for them as the others. So their God becomes the explanation for the answered prayers of a Muslim, or an Orthodox Jew, or a Fred Phelps, or a Roman Catholic, or a liberal Christian, or a Jehovah's Witness, or a Mormon, or a Satanist, or a Hindu. But believers in these other religions will take answered prayers as evidence that their faith is true. This means God, the Christian God, is providing confirming evidence against the truth of Christianity to other believers in false religions who will be condemned to hell. So Christian, either give up the belief that your God answers the prayers of other believers, or admit he is helping to send them to hell. And if you give up the belief that God is answering the prayers of other believers, then show us why your own answered prayers have more evidence for them than theirs.

"possibly_maybe" put it a bit differently but very effectively:

A Muslim man prays to Allah to have his cancer cured. The prayer is answered, and the Muslim man is strengthened in his faith in Allah. After all it was Allah who he was praying to, and who healed him right? And so the man, as a devout Muslim, endorses stoning of adulterers, killing of apostates and cutting limbs off of thieves...This is the issue right here. When Christians say that it is their God who answers all prayers in the world, they are basically saying that the Christian God intentionally mystifies people from other religions into believing their false religions even more (and in their faith making sins, that will never allow them to be saved). In other words, the God who answers all prayers supports the violence/sins in the name of other religions.

Why the Q Hypothesis Works

Mark 1: 21-39 presents Jesus going to Simon Peter's house and curing Peter's mother-in-law. She has a fever which Jesus "cures'. She then gets up and serves them. That evening people brought the demon possessed and sick to the house. The whole city gathers about the door.

Atheist Lyrics to Lady Ga Ga's "Born this Way"

The lyrics are by Greta Christina:

Who or What is a Biblioblogger, Here We Go Again Folks

If being ignored as an accomodationsist by PZ Myers (or other reasons left undetermined) isn't enough, I fear another round of debates trying to exclude me as a bibiloblogger. Didn't we already have this debate before? *Sigh*

I stand in the gap. It seems I really do. Some on the scientific atheist side think of me as an accomodationist, which is a gross misunderstanding of who I am, while the Christian side is threatened by me. Each side would rather preach to their own separate choirs. It has been my goal to reach out to Christians in ways they can understand, but I had hoped more on the atheist side would see the value I bring to the table. Oh well. I am very thankful for the overwhelming support I have received. I wish the atheists at TAM in Las Vegas this week would have a debate on how we can best change the religious landscape rather than droning on and on about Elevatorgate, but who am I?

A Unified Atheism?

Why is there a lack of unity among atheists?  I think that it is because atheism is not ultimately a philosophy though it can be. It is not a belief though it can be. It is not responsive to religion but it can be. It is not responsive to philosophy but it can be. How so? Because anyone who says they do not believe in a god is an atheist. They may not know a hill of beans about science, religious claims, philosophy or even atheism.

What PZ Myers Fails to Understand

Up until recently I have not criticized other prominent atheists. I have tried to be accommodating so we could provide a unified front. But that has been shattered, especially with the feeding frenzy over the insensitive comments of Richard Dawkins to the concerns of women like Skepchick. Listen, I am a feminist to the core. It's one of the main reasons why I seek to rid our world of religion, especially Christianity, my niche. But since the united atheist front is gone I've decided to speak out against my own side when it seems one of them is not helping with this goal. I take no pleasure in this. But I must.

Just Imagine

Imagine how the following stories would differ if Christianity did not exit.  Rewrite them if you'd like and present the changes you think would be likely.

Don't Buy My Book, WIBA. It's Very Bad Some Recent Reviews Say

I have become inured from these kind of reviews. Link. Perhaps it's what you'd expect when someone is not preaching to the choir.

PZ Myers on Appeasing the Elves of Iceland: "Dynamite the Elves"

I like how he writes. I've mentioned the Elves before. Sheer nonsense it is, idiocy. Take a stand for reason and science Icelanders, now.

An Ideological Turing Test for Atheists and Christians

Leah had contacted me about this while she was working on it, but I didn't find time to post about it. Luckily Hemant Mehta did. Check it out and vote.

Personified Myth or Mythologized Person?

Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. (Galatians 1:18-20)

What writings of the New Testament are actually from Paul?  I know of no serious scholars that deny that Paul wrote Galatians.  In fact you will read in any search or book that is of any reputable scholar that Galatians is authentic. Paul claims in these verses to have met  James, the brother of the Lord.

I'm Serious About the Poll at Right

When faced with the probability that all I'll ever be is an atheist author/blogger making a few hundred bucks every six months along with some money every month from Amazon referral fees, I'm at a crossroads in my life. Do I continue with hope (not faith) that I can make a living at this, in addition to my carpet cleaning business in a small town where a significant minority of people won't hire my services because they know I'm an atheist? Or get a different job, or a second job, severely limiting my effectiveness as an atheist author and blogger. I have made some sacrifices willingly with no expectation of reward. It's what I wanted to do. Now what? Don't pat me on the back. Be honest.

Results of the poll:

Haven’t I Already Done Enough?

No, we need you more than ever 52 (15%)

What you do still helps 69 (20%)

First finish up a few things 5 (1%)

Take a needed break, relax 114 (33%)

Yes, move on with your life 65 (18%)

We can get along fine without you 38 (11%)

I Struggle Doing What I Do.

I struggle with the loss of purpose today, having already written and edited three books that people on both sides have recommended as the best of their kind. What's left to say I wonder, if they don't help change the religious landscape? Taken together with other recent books and those that are forthcoming, there is no where left for the deluded to hide, that is, if they really want to know the truth. I am gradually feeling the need to make some needed money to live my life out with a few more extras. You can help stave off what I see as the inevitable by donating to keep me writing and blogging. To anyone who thinks I'm getting rich off my books I challenge you to write one and see how far a few hundred dollars goes every six months. If what I do has helped you in some small way and you have the means to give back, click here, or keep track of your donations by clicking on the ChipIn link in the sidebar. Please. I am really embarrassed to have to ask. Thanks goes out to several people who have done so in the past. It means a lot to me.

Sex, Sex, and More Sex

Pardon the objectification of a woman here, which is a picture you could find in a Sport's Illustrated Swimsuit issue or a Victoria's Secret catalog, but I do it to make a point, and to get my point noticed. I just watched part of an episode of Love Bites on NBC and what I saw was heavily sexual in nature. NBC is coming out with a weekly show having to do with Playboy. Listen, I'm no prude, but a few decades ago the American Family Association would be blowing their top at these programs, and effectively boycotting their commercial sponsors. Yet sex continues to sell. Robert Price argues in the Afterward of The End of Christianity, which can be read on Amazon, that sex will be the undoing of Evangelicalism. These kind of programs will have more to do with the undoing of Evangelicalism than probably any book debunking it. Mark my words.

The Implications of Evolution are Enormous

I've previously quoted from Jerry Coyne where he tells us evolution is a fact. Here are a few of the implications: The God-hypothesis for the creation of human beings is unnecessary at best; the Adam & Eve story is a myth; human beings are not special nor even the highest creation; when we die we cease to exist just like every other species does. There are many others. Religion itself becomes an unnecessary hypothesis.

The First Review of "The End of Christianity"

Nicholas Ryan Covington is the first to review my new anthology, The End of Christianity. He mentions The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails and says, "I doubt that any rational person could remain a Christian after being informed of the arguments in these two books." So let me put it to you: Are people who believe despite overwhelming evidence and arguments being irrational?

A Very Brief Who's Who List of Recommended Skeptical Scholars

When it comes to science I highly recommend the work of people like Victor Stenger, Michael Shermer, Jerry Coyne, PZ Myers, Richard Dawkins, Lawrence Krauss, Phil Plait, Neil deGrasee Tyson, Taner Edis, and others. They know science so I defer to them. They make what I do possible, for without them it would be hard to make my case against Christianity.

The Casey Anthony Trial: Were the Jurors Stupid or What?

The death of Caylee Anthony is still a mystery they say, since Casey Anthony was acquitted today. She was only convicted of providing false information to police. Really? I find it impossible that Casey Anthony would provide false information to police about her missing daughter Caylee, if she wasn't at least an accomplice to her murder. Impossible! That Casey got off is a testament to what we know about people. Were the jurors stupid? Probably not. What went wrong then? Only one juror had a criminal record, that of drinking and driving. Good people, decent people, upstanding people in any community just cannot fathom that a mother would kill her own daughter, and that's it. Place a few felons on that jury and they would've spotted a criminal mind in action, because it's really true to say "it takes one to know one." The problem is that felons cannot serve as jurors in thirty one states and in federal courts. No, these jurors probably weren't stupid people. They were blinded by their own prejudices, a recurring theme here when it comes to Christianity. ;-)

Lying, Salvation and the Word of God: Proselytizing and the Fabrication Scriptures in Judaism and Christianity

This post theme is dedicated to District Supt. Harvey Burnett who once told me: “Write what you will you INTERNET misinformed anti-christ advocate! Love to see it and love EVEN more to put the garbage where it belongs...BACK IN HELL!” (His reply to a post 4/19/08)

Only Paul Copan and Matthew Flannagan Can Set the Record Straight

[Written by John W. Loftus] I get comments and emails from skeptics who think Christian apologists do not really believe what they defend. They think the case is so bad that apologists must be lying for ulterior motives, that they are liars for Jesus. Here is a case in point for two apologists, Paul Copan, President of the Evangelical Philosophical Society, and Matthew Flannagan. I'm not accusing these two apologists of lying for Jesus. But it sure makes it appear that way when they won't or can't answer some simple questions both Hector Avalos and I have posed to them.

More Straw Man Arguments, This Time by David Marshall

Christianity can only be defended by blind ignorance involving so many informal fallacies it can make one's head spin. Case in point today is David Marshall, a nice guy and budding scholar who has written a few books. I guess he was feeling left out since I have been highlighting these things with other Christian scholars. Now it's time to turn my attention to him. ;-)

Two Questions From the Grave, by Antony Flew and Carl Sagan

Read and respond to two similar stories, one by Antony Flew, and the other by Carl Sagan. They both have to do with the OTF:

More Hand Waving From Matthew Flannagan on the OTF

[Written by John W. Loftus] Dr. (they hand out PhD's to anyone these days) Matthew Flannagan said: "As to the OTF you'll see I have pointed out that argument is incoherent." Really? No, Really? That's a very large claim of his, akin to the claim to have refuted it. I don't think in these debates of ours I would ever claim to have refuted an argument. Remember, the larger the claim is then the harder it is to defend. Does he know this? A refutation of an argument is a very difficult thing to produce. My response:

Underhanded Biblical Interpretation: Deuteronomy 25:11-12 in Context

How Dr. Copan Explains Away Biblical Violence

Debunking Christianity Ranks Third Place Among the SBL's Bibliobloggers

Yep, not bad for an atheist site. Link. They don't like us there so they started a new ranking system where only registered Bibliobloggers can vote on the top blogs, and guess what, we're never on that list. ;-) I even suspect that the present urge to revamp the SBL ranking system is to somehow try to exclude DC, or reduce our ranking. Link. Christians and their double standards, Sheesh.

Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence

This is known as the ECREE principle mentioned by Carl Sagan and others. I think it's expressed better as "extraordinary claims require an extraordinary amount of evidence," or better yet, "extraordinary claims require an extraordinary amount of ordinary evidence," or even better yet, "extraordinary claims require an extraordinary amount of ordinary evidence, especially when we should expect that evidence to be there," but the point is the same. It's no surprise that Victor Reppert objects to it in these words:

Victor Reppert Now Claims He's a "Graduate of the OTF"

Reppert has been thinking and responding to the OTF longer than any other informed believer I know of, so if you are a believer and you object to the OTF then learn from him. When first confronted with the OTF Reppert criticized it as embracing too radical of a skepticism. Then over the years as I explained it to him further he now says he's a graduate of the OTF and wants a diploma. Cute. As far as I can tell most believers criticize the OTF when they first hear of it. Then they go through the same stages Reppert has gone though, by subsequently embracing it in the face of my arguments, basically wanting their diplomas too. Should I start printing them off and signing them just because they say so? First, here is what Reppert recently admitted:

What Is Faith?

Faith is pure wishful thinking, nothing more and nothing less. It offers a person a leap beyond what the probabilities actually lead us to think. For if something can be known to be the case we wouldn't need faith. Faith therefore is not a virtue when it comes to knowing the truth about anything. Skepticism is.

Vic Reppert's "Argument From Reason" is Against a Strawman

Yep, he does not deal with what scientifically minded skeptics actually think.

An Open Question to Victor Reppert About the OTF

I just cannot seem to disabuse him of his inconsistent position. He said:

What is the Outsider’s Perspective?

Almost all of the objections to the Outsider Test for Faith (OTF) are red herrings placed in the road to sidetrack us from getting at the truth. They do not understand the perspective of an outsider, or they grossly misrepresent it in favor of faith. Since I like beating my head against the wall, let me try again.

Flannagan Versus Westbrook: Understanding the Problem

Why Dr. Flannagan is still Wrong

The End of Christianity is Here!

Amazon is now shipping my anthology The End of Christianity. I hope the effort was worth it. Let me know as you get your copy. It'll surely be hotly contested on Amazon and elsewhere. The reaction should prove to be intense. Stay tuned.

The Science of Why We Don't Believe Science, by Chris Mooney

Head-on attempts to persuade can sometimes trigger a backfire effect, where people not only fail to change their minds when confronted with the facts—they may hold their wrong views more tenaciously than ever. Link.

Dr. Flannagan Denigrates Science, Why Am I Not Surprised?

[Written by John W. Loftus] This is getting ridiculous and predictable. So let me get this straight, okay? In order to believe, Flannagan must denigrate science. Get it.? What utter rubbish. This alone should cause believers to question why they believe what they do based on their upbringing in a Christian culture. Science is the only antidote to how easily we can believe and defend what we were taught on our Mama's knees.

Why Dr. Flannagan Fails History, Dr. Hector Avalos Responds

Dr. Flannagan's use of sources shows some careless scholarship.

Dr. Matt Flannagan, of the MandM blog, has directed a few criticism at my chapters (“Yahweh is A Moral Monster” and “Atheism was not the Cause of the Holocaust”) in The Christian Delusion. Those criticisms rest not only on a basic misunderstanding and misreading of my arguments, but also on a very selective and uncritical reading of the sources Flannagan cites for support.

Believers Really Ought Not to Argue Against the OTF

Because by doing so only makes my arguments stronger, and they were already strong enough. One continuing objection is to turn the OTF against non-believers, that we ought to subject our non-beliefs to the skepticism of an outsider. I've addressed this ad nausea. But let's see with a thought experiment why this does not work. Let's say there are no non-believers at all, none. Everyone on earth believes in a religion of some kind. Let's say no skeptic ever proposed the OTF either. Christian, how would YOU propose to assess religions fairly without any double standards? This is how you do it now. Surely at least one believer would come up with the thought that since he already uses the OTF in examining other religions then why not use it to examine his own faith? This reveals that if there is any inconsistency at all in the OTF it is how believers themselves assess truth claims. As I've said, it should only take a moment’s thought to realize that if there is a God who wants people born into different religious cultures to believe, who are outsiders, then that religious faith SHOULD pass the OTF.

What Jesus Christ Had to Say About the Outsider Test for Faith!

This is my chosen title for a guest sermon I'll be preaching for the "One True Church of Jesus Christ That Has Ever Existed in History." The preacher is away on vacation. This church meets in a little building on "Faith" Street in a town called Saint Paul, Missouri, the "Show Me" state (never-mind the oxymoron). They have a membership of 10 people, all related to each other in some way. Here are my chosen texts. How should I develop my sermon?

Quote of the Day, by Articulett

I agree wholeheartedly with his assessment of the OTF:

Debating Critics On The Outsider Test for Faith (OTF)

[Written by John W. Loftus] I have had several debates in defense of the OTF. This post will serve as the key resource for these links.

First look at The Outsider Test for Faith, along with a link embedded within that post.

In no particular order here are several debates I've had about the OTF with several people:

Chris Gadsden who obfuscates on The OTF

Cameron Bertuzzi of "Capturing Christianity" .

EricRC, a Ph.D. student in philosophy, On the Fundamental Objection to the OTF.

Dr. Matthew Flannagan.

Dr. Randal Rauser.

Dr. Steve Lovell.

Dr. Thomas Talbott.

Dr. Victor Reppert.

David Marshall.

Thrasymachus.

Rev. Phillip Brown.

Steve Hays and Jason Engwer.

Paul Manata.

Is it over yet?

The Ledge, a Pro-Atheist Movie to be Released July 8th

Here's a clip with the standard Christian responses to reasoned arguments:

Dr. Flannagan Just Does Not Get it, The OTF Again and Again and Again...

[Written by John W. Loftus] Christian philosopher Matthew Flannagan wrote a review of The Christian Delusion for Philosophia Christi, the journal of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. He offers nothing but canards against the OTF. Was he not paying attention?

On Rejecting the Gospel Because of Sin

That's the Christian claim, that non-Christians reject the gospel because we prefer to sin (or do wrong). Let's try to put this canard to rest.

For the Love of God: Or Hell as a Tool for Secular Morality

Written by TGBaker:

I developed this ditty from a Facebook spat with a friend of mine who is a Christian Philosopher, Dr. James F. Sennett. I had never really thought about this area before. But I think it produces another problem with the omni-attributes of a proposed god.

Good without gods

This video is from QualiaSoup: