In the previous installment I shared a high level view of logic. We discussed conclusions and how to evaluate the truth of conclusions based on the strength of supporting premises. The primary purpose of this series is to provide a list of supporting premises for the conclusion that there is a God and that God is involved in the world and wants to have a relationship with us. Beginning with the next posting I will begin laying out those premises.
Before I start, however, I would like to make a comment about the organization 'The Rational Response Squad' whose stated purpose is to 'free humanity from the mind disorder known as theism'.
When I first learned of the Rational Response Squad website I though it might be interesting to visit their site and to learn about the reasons or premises that the group holds for their belief that
there is no God. I went to the site expecting to see a 'rational', logical list of evidence for the non-existence of God. They pride themselves in being rational, right?
Let me credit them with having an interesting, in your face approach. How many STRONG premises did I find on their site for accepting atheism? None. How many premises at all? None.
The site lists their top 10 contributors. They have links where you can make contributions. They have a pile of Google adds. There is a posting that attempts to thoroughly outline the number of times the Bible records incidents where God killed people, however the numerous biblical references in the posting might lead one to conclude that the writer believes the Bible is true. There is also an encouragement by the group for individuals who are atheists to record YouTube videos stating that they don't believe in the Holy Spirit. A lot of colorful stuff .... but not a single premise.
My next posting will delve into premises that support Christian theism.
Before I start, however, I would like to make a comment about the organization 'The Rational Response Squad' whose stated purpose is to 'free humanity from the mind disorder known as theism'.
When I first learned of the Rational Response Squad website I though it might be interesting to visit their site and to learn about the reasons or premises that the group holds for their belief that
there is no God. I went to the site expecting to see a 'rational', logical list of evidence for the non-existence of God. They pride themselves in being rational, right?Let me credit them with having an interesting, in your face approach. How many STRONG premises did I find on their site for accepting atheism? None. How many premises at all? None.
The site lists their top 10 contributors. They have links where you can make contributions. They have a pile of Google adds. There is a posting that attempts to thoroughly outline the number of times the Bible records incidents where God killed people, however the numerous biblical references in the posting might lead one to conclude that the writer believes the Bible is true. There is also an encouragement by the group for individuals who are atheists to record YouTube videos stating that they don't believe in the Holy Spirit. A lot of colorful stuff .... but not a single premise.
My next posting will delve into premises that support Christian theism.
2 comments:
"the group holds for their belief that there is no God."
No we don't. Your entire blog post is a strawman argument. We hold that God belief is irrational until someone provides reason to believe, not that there is no god. The burden of proof to show there is rational reason to believe in god falls on the believer. Ironically you post stating that we have no proof, and yet you provide none as well (while the burden rests on you).
"The site lists their top 10 contributors. They have links where you can make contributions. They have a pile of Google adds. "
Thi9 is funny. What does this have to do with the truth value of what we believe? Nothing.
"There is a posting that attempts to thoroughly outline the number of times the Bible records incidents where God killed people, however the numerous biblical references in the posting might lead one to conclude that the writer believes the Bible is true."
No, it leads the reader to conclude that the people who don't believe in Yahweh, don't believe for rational reasons, not emotional ones. We know the bible well, which is why we reject it. This irrational claim of yours starts to lend credence to our theory that theism is a mind disorder. Would it make sense for me to propose that your attack on the Rational Response Squad leads one to believe that you actually believe in what the Rational Response Squad is saying? You see how ridiculous it sounds when phrased like that?
"A lot of colorful stuff .... but not a single premise."
I encourage your readers to visit the site engage us, and peddle this load of nonsense after a week with us.
Care to come on our radio show to defend why god belief is rational? If so, write us a letter via our contact form.
Brian
Thanks for coming by my blog (www.lifehound.blogspot.com) and leaving your comments related to my series of postings entitled ‘Rational Responders’. I appreciate your willingness to post your thoughts and engage in discussion in the ‘marketplace of ideas’.
I want to take a moment to respond to one comment that you left on my blog …..
You said ‘We hold that God belief is irrational until someone provides reason to believe, not that there is no god. The burden of proof to show there is rational reason to believe in god falls on the believer. Ironically you post stating that we have no proof, and yet you provide none as well (while the burden rests on you).’
‘Rational Responders’ is a series of postings on my blog which begins to list premises which support the conclusion that ‘there is a God and that God is involved in the world and wants to have a relationship with us’. When you visited my blog I had made three entries which were introductory in nature. Since then I’ve made eight more postings that address the first two supporting premises in my argument. These premises are my rational reasons for belief in God which admittedly were not present when you first visited my blog but are present now. I hope you will openly consider them and continue the dialogue. I plan to lists more premises as well, as time permits, while also giving time to my job and family. In time I think you will see a rational, logical argument unfold for belief in God.
I am mulling over coming on your radio show to defend why God belief is rational. Thanks for the invitation and I am considering it.
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