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===Commonly Cited Arguments Against Atheism and For Theism ===

[[Image:Anselm.jpg|thumbnail|right|150px|[[Anselm of Canterbury]] was the originator of the [[ontological argument]]]]

* [[Teleological argument]]: The universe exhibits overwhelming evidence of deliberate, intelligent, purposeful design, which implies an [[intelligent design]]er

* [[Cosmological argument]]: Every event in our universe necessarily has a cause. However, it is impossible that there should be an unending chain of causes going back. Therefore, there necessarily must be a cause ''distinct'' from the universe as we know it which is capable of causing all things and is itself uncaused. Atheism denies that that [[First Cause]] is God.

===Atheism and Mass Murder===

In respect to [[Atheism and Mass Murder|atheism and mass murder]], Christian apologist Gregory Koukl wrote that "the assertion is that religion has caused most of the killing and bloodshed in the world.

There are people who make accusations and assertions that are empirically false. This is one of them."<ref name="Koukl">Koukl, Gregory, [http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5527 The Real Murderers: Atheism or Christianity?], 1994</ref>

===Atheists in America and Charity===

In respect to [[Atheism and Uncharitableness|atheism and uncharitableness]], charitable giving by atheists and agnostics in America is significantly less than by theists, according to a study by the [[Barna Group]]:

{{cquote|The typical no-faith American donated just $200 in 2006, which is more than seven times less than the amount contributed by the prototypical active-faith adult ($1500). Even when church-based giving is subtracted from the equation, active-faith adults donated twice as many dollars last year as did atheists and agnostics. In fact, while just 7% of active-faith adults failed to contribute any personal funds in 2006, that compares with 22% among the no-faith adults.<ref>[http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=272 Atheists and Agnostics Take Aim at Christians] ''The Barna Update'', 2007.</ref>}}

===Atheism and Immoral Views===

In regards to [[Atheism and Morality|atheism and morality]], the Barna Group also found that those who hold to the worldviews of atheism or agnosticism in America were more likely, than theists in America, to look upon the following behaviors as morally acceptable: illegal drug use; excessive drinking; sexual relationships outside of marriage; [[abortion]]; cohabitating with someone of opposite sex outside of marriage; obscene language; gambling; pornography and obscene sexual behavior; and engaging in [[homosexuality]]/[[bisexuality]].<ref>http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=152</ref>

Given the [[Homosexuality and Health|many diseases associated with homosexuality]], the [[Bible]] prohibition against [[homosexuality]] is quite arguably one of the [[Bible scientific foreknowledge|many examples where the Bible exhibited knowledge that was ahead of its time]].

===Atheism and Miracles===

In respect to [[Atheism and Miracles|atheism and miracles]], modern scholars are divided on the issue of whether or not [[David Hume]] was an atheist.<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hume-religion/#10</ref> With that caveat in mind, Hume is well known for arguing that it is always more probable that the testimony of a miracle is false than that the miracle occurred.<ref name="cp">http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/docs/creation-providence.html</ref> Christian apologists [[William Lane Craig]], [[Norman Geisler]], [[C.S. Lewis]], [[JP Holding]], and others have shown the inadequacy and unreasonableness of Hume's position regarding miracles.<ref name="cp"/><ref>http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/docs/miracles.html</ref><ref>http://www.ses.edu/journal/articles/2.1Hoffman.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth19.html</ref><ref>http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/pages/resources/publications/knowingDoing/2004/Miracles.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.tektonics.org/gk/hume01.html</ref><ref>http://www.comereason.org/phil_qstn/phi060.asp</ref>

===Atheism and Questions of Origins===

[[Creationism|Creationist]] scientists state that the [[First Law of Thermodynamics|first law of thermodynamics]] and the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics|second law of thermodynamics]] argue against an eternal universe or a universe created by natural processes and argue for a universe created by [[God]].<ref>http://godevidences.net/space/lawsofscience.php</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2329</ref><ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences14.html</ref> A majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position which employs [[methodological naturalism]] since [[World War II]] have had the worldview of atheism.<ref>Dr. Don Batten, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/737/ A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32

December 1997.</ref><ref>[[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]</ref> [[Creationism|Creationist]] scientists assert that the [[theory of evolution]] is an inadequate explanation for the variety of life forms on earth.<ref>http://www.icr.org/home/resources/resources_tracts_scientificcaseagainstevolution/</ref> In addition, the current [[origin of life|naturalistic explanations for the origin of life are inadequate]].

==Atheism and Mental and Physical Health==

[[Image:Mayo-clinic-gondaoverview.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The prestigious [[Mayo Clinic]] found that that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better physical health, mental health, health-related quality of life, and other health outcomes.]]

The is considerable amount of [[science|scientific]] evidence that suggest that theism is more conducive to mental and physical health than atheism.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2001-rst/921.html</ref><ref>http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/A/20037338.html</ref> The prestigious [[Mayo Clinic]] reported the following on December 11, 2001:

{{cquote|In an article also published in this issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mayo Clinic researchers reviewed published studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and subject reviews that examined the association between religious involvement and spirituality and physical health, mental health, health-related quality of life and other health outcomes.

== Reasonable Explanations for Atheism ==

:''See main article: [[Causes of Atheism]]''

There are a number of reasonable explanations for atheism:

*'''Moral depravity:''' Moral depravity has been demonstrated in the atheist community through history and through studies.<ref>http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5527</ref><ref>http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=272</ref><ref>http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Story?id=2682730&page=2</ref><ref>http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=152</ref> The [[Bible]] asserts that "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20gen%201:30%20;&version=49; (Psalms 14:1 (KJV)).] The biblical fool is said to be lacking in sound judgment and the biblical fool is also associated with moral depravity. For example, the biblical book of [[Proverbs]] states: "A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated. The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge."[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20proverbs%2014:16-18%20;&version=49; (Proverbs 14:16-18 (NASB)).] The book of Proverbs also has strong words regarding the depravity of biblical fools: "The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but [it is] abomination to fools to depart from evil." [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2013:19;&version=9; (Proverbs 13:9 (KJV))]. Regarding the deceitfulness of fools Proverbs states: "The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is [[deceit]]." [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2014:8;&version=9; (Proverbs 14:8 (KJV)).] Noted Bible commentator and clergyman [[Matthew Henry]] wrote regarding atheism: "A man that is endued with the powers of reason, by which he is capable of knowing, serving, glorifying, and enjoying his Maker, and yet lives without God in the [[earth|world]], is certainly the most despicable and the most miserable animal under the [[sun]]."<ref>http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc1.ii.html</ref>

[[Image:DrVitz.jpg|thumbnail|125px|left|Noted [[Ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] and psychologist Dr. [[Paul Vitz]]]]

* '''Rebellion:''' Atheism stems from a deliberate choice to ignore the reality of God's existence<ref>"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." &mdash;{{Bible ref|Romans|1|19-20|version=NKJV}}</ref>

*'''Superficiality:''' Noted ex-atheist and psychologist Dr. [[Paul Vitz]] has stated that he had superficial reasons for becoming an atheist such as the desire to be accepted by his [[Stanford]] professors who were united in disbelief regarding God.<ref name="vitz">Vitz, Paul, [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/vitz.txt The Psychology of Atheism], September 24, 1997 (lecture notes taken by an audience member).</ref>

* '''Error:''' Some argue that atheism partly stems from a failure to fairly and judiciously consider the facts<ref>"A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere--'Bibles laid open, millions of surprises,' as Herbert says, 'fine nets and stratagems.' God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous." -- C.S. Lewis, ''Surprised by Joy''.</ref>

* '''State churches:''' Rates of atheism are much higher in countries with a state sanctioned religion (such as many European countries), and lower in states without a sanctioned religion (such as the United States). Some argue this is because state churches become bloated, corrupt, and/or out of touch with the religious intuitions of the population, while churches independent of the state are leaner and more adaptable. It is important to distinguish "state-sanctioned churches," where participation is voluntary, from "state-mandated churches" (such as Saudi Arabia) with much lower atheism rates because publicly admitted atheism is punishable by death.<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118434936941966055.html?mod=googlenews_wsj</ref>

* '''Poor relationship with father:''' Some argue that a troubled/non-existent relationship with a father may influence one towards holding the position of atheism.<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth12.html</ref> Dr. Paul Vitz wrote a book entitled ''Faith of the Fatherless'' in which he points out that after studying the lives of more than a dozen leading atheists he found that a large majority of them had a father who was present but weak, present but abusive, or absent.<ref name="vitz"/><ref>Anders, Kerby, [http://www.probe.org/content/view/36/91/ Atheists and Their Fathers] (Probe Ministries)</ref> Dr. Vitz also examined the lives of prominent theists who were contemporaneous to their atheist counterparts and from the same culture and in every instance these prominent theists had a good relationship with his father.<ref name="vitz"/> Dr. Vitz has also stated other common factors he observed in the leading atheists he profiled: they were all intelligent and arrogant.<ref name="vitz"/>

* '''Division in religion''': According to Francis Bacon, atheism is caused by "divisions in religion, if they be many; for any one main division addeth zeal to both sides, but many divisions introduce atheism."<ref name="pr">http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/ofatheism.html</ref>

* '''Learned times, peace, and prosperity''': Francis Bacon argued that atheism was partly caused by "Learned times, specially with peace and prosperity; for troubles and adversities do more bow men’s minds to religion."<ref name="pr"/> [[Judaism|Jewish]] columnist [[Dennis Prager]] has stated that a causal factor of atheism is the "secular indoctrination of a generation."<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=43734</ref> Prager stated that "From elementary school through graduate school, only one way of looking at the world – the secular – is presented. The typical individual in the [[Western World|Western world]] receives as secular an indoctrination as the typical European received a religious one in the [[Middle Ages]].<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=4373</ref>

* '''Negative experiences with [[theism|theists]]'''

* '''[[Scientism]]:''' ''Science has in many ways become a new God''.<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/skepticsweb/psychology.htm Why Atheism?]</ref>

==Atheism and the Existence of Evil==

:''See main article: [[Atheism and the Problem of Evil]]''

Those who advocate atheism commonly state that the existence of evil is a problem for [[theism]] which holds to a good and powerful God.<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/evil.html</ref> [[Theodicy]] is the branch of study in theology and philosophy that defends the goodness of God despite the existence of evil.<ref>http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861719540/theodicy.html</ref> In traditional Christianity and Judaism the book of [[Job]] is used to explain the existence of evil.<ref>http://apologetics.com/default.jsp?bodycontent=/articles/doctrinal_apologetics/bowman-job.html</ref> In recent times [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] often cite [[Alvin Plantinga]]'s free will defense when it comes to the subject of the existence of evil.<ref>http://www.xenos.org/essays/evilpo.htm</ref><ref>http://www3.baylor.edu/~Scott_Moore/handouts/free_will_defense.html</ref>The work of [[St. Augustine]] is also cited in respect to theodicy.<ref>http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5124</ref> Dr. [[Ron Rhodes]] of [[Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministry]] states regarding this issue regarding the existence of evil in relation to atheism:

{{cquote|...it is impossible to distinguish evil from good unless one has an infinite reference point which is absolutely good. Otherwise one is like a boat at sea on a cloudy night without a compass (i.e., there would be no way to distinguish north from south without the absolute reference point of the compass needle).

==Atheism and Debate==

:''See main article: [[Atheism and Debate]]''

Below are some examples which demonstrate unreasonableness in atheist debaters.

== Views on Atheists ==

{| class="wikitable"

[[Image:Richard_Dawkins.jpg‎|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] is listed as an enthusiastic ''bright'' by the [[Brights Movement]] website.]]

The [[Brights Movement]] was started in 2003 by Paul Geisert and Mynga Futrell in 2003 in order to assist in the advocacy of a [[Naturalism|naturalistic worldview]].<ref name="fa">http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2843/is_2_28/ai_114090211/pg_1</ref><ref>http://www.the-brights.net/vision/faq.html#1</ref> The Brights movement had a media campaign and was announced in ''Wired'' magazine (by evolutionary biologist [[Richard Dawkins]]), ''Free Inquiry'' (by Richard Dawkins), and on the ''[[New York Times]]'' op-ed page (by the philosopher and atheist Daniel Dennett).<ref name="fa"/> However, according to a 2004 ''Skeptical Enquirer'' article the "Brights label reinforced a longstanding stereotype."<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2843/is_2_28/ai_114090211/pg_1</ref> The article stated the following: "Atheists already have a terrible rap for being coldhearted [[Rationalism|rationalists]] who attend [[Mensa]] gatherings and dismiss religious believers as simple-minded fools."<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2843/is_2_28/ai_114090211/pg_1</ref> In October of 2003 in a article in the ''[[Guardian]]'' Dawkins associated being a "bright" with being an intellectual.<ref>http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,12084,981412,00.html</ref>

Chris Mooney wrote in his Skeptical Enquirer article the following:

==Atheism and the Bible==

In respect to [[Atheism and the Bible|atheism and the Bible]], atheists and skeptics have been disputing the reliability of the [[Bible]] for centuries. Christian apologist [[JP Holding]] rightly states that [[Bible Exegesis|Bible exegesis]] and Bible exposition is a multi-disciplinary pursuit and often critics of the Bible have not done a fraction of the due diligence required when making a allegation regarding the Bible. JP Holding states the following:

{{cquote|Having now been engaged in apologetics for eight years actively and more years than that on the side, I have long since come to a conclusion that I have shared with others, but will now present in a systematic form here for the first time. My conclusion is a warning that is appropriate for any new readers (hence I link this article from my front page) and will be familiar to veteran ones.

[[Image:nietzsche2.jpg|right|200px|thumbnail|[[Friedrich Nietzsche]]]]

As mentioned previously [[Internet Infidels]] (also known as the Secular Web) is one of the principal websites for those who advocate atheism, [[agnosticism]] and [[Philosophical skepticism|skepticism]] on the internet. [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[JP Holding]] has stated regarding the website Internet Infidels the following: "The Secular Web has a few intelligent people, but overall has long been a haven for every skeptical know-it-all to pronounce judgments upon matters outside of their expertise."<ref>http://www.tektonics.org/gk/gerkin02.html</ref> Although JP Holding has written rebuttals of the more well known members of the skeptical community such as [[David Hume]]<ref>http://www.tektonics.org/TK-H.html</ref>, [[Friedrich Nietzsche]]<ref>http://www.tektonics.org/lp/nietzsche01.html</ref> and [[G.A. Wells]]<ref>http://www.tektonics.org/jesusexist/jesusexisthub.html</ref><ref>http://www.tektonics.org/uz/wellsga01.html</ref>, Holding has also written rebuttals of lesser well known members of the secular community who publish and/or are featured on Internet Infidels such as:

*Earl Doherty<ref>http://www.tektonics.org/TK-D.html</ref>

*Richard Carrier<ref>http://www.tektonics.org/TK-C.html</ref>

*Kyle Gerkin<ref>http://www.tektonics.org/TK-G.html</ref>

*Farrell Till<ref>http://www.tektonics.org/TK-T.html</ref>

===Targeting of Young People by Atheists on the Internet===

{{cquote|Atheists are making a concerted effort to win the youth of America and the world. Hundreds of websites and blogs on the Internet seek to convince and convert adolescents, endeavoring to remove any residue of [[theism]] from their minds and hearts by packaging atheism as the choice of a new generation. While you think your kids are innocently surfing the Web, secular progressives are intentionally preying on their innocence and naivete.

== Atheist population as a percentage of various countries' populations==

In respect to the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] as a percentage of various countries' populations, specific research on atheists conducted in 2006 [http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 suggests] that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France. A survey published in the 2005 ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'' stated that 2.3% of the world's population consists of individuals who profess "atheism, skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the militantly antireligious."<ref>http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620</ref> In regards to the 2.3% figure just mentioned, the 2005 survey cited by ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' survey did not include [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] in regards to the 2.3% figure and Buddhism can be [[Theism|theistic]] or atheistic.<ref>http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm</ref><ref>http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620</ref>

==Atheism Quotes==

[[Image:Raphael.jpg|right|thumbnail|175px|[[Plato]]]]

* "Atheism is a crutch for those who cannot bear the reality of God." - [[Tom Stoppard]]<ref>http://www.tentmaker.org/Quotes/atheismquotes.htm</ref>

[[Image:Joseph-addison-3-sized.jpg‎|right|thumbnail|175px|[[Joseph Addison]]]]

==See Also==

==External links==

* [http://www.greatcom.org/resources/secular_religions/ch01/default.htm Atheism, Agnosticism, and Skepticism] Synopsis of Understanding Secular Religions by [[Josh McDowell]] and Don Stewart

* [http://lionofjudah.tribulationforces.com/critics/critics.html Answering Atheists / Agnostics / Other Critics] Lion of Judah Christian Apologetics

'''Unreasonableness of Atheism:'''

* [http://www.chaim.org/atheist.htm The Absurdity of Atheism] by Fred Klett

* [http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5688 Unbelievable Unbelief] by Gregory Koukl

* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny

* [http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth02.html Theism, Atheism, and Rationality] by Alvin Plantinga

'''Atheism and Science:'''

'''Decline of Atheism:'''

* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/003/21.36.html The Twilight of Atheism] by Alister McGrath, Christianity Today, March 2005

* [http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/hutchison/050204 The rise and fall of atheism] by Fred Hutchison

'''Various Issues in Regards to Atheism:'''

* [http://home.earthlink.net/~gbl111/resurrection.htm Atheists and the Resurrection - Framing the Argument] by G. Brady Lenardos

* [http://www.tektonics.org/lp/outrage.html Outrageous Reasoning, A Closer Look at a Common Skeptical Tactic] by [[JP Holding]]

{{Nb Atheism}}