[Pim Pendergast]

Atheist biases

The human mind is finite. It has limitations. People tend to simplify the way they interpret and evaluate information, often by using shortcuts in reasoning, or applying “rules of thumb,” called biases, which can result in an error in judgement or decision-making. Without the Bible to fill in the gaps in our knowledge and tell us how to interpret information and make decisions, we Christians would also be prone to biases. But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit has opened our eyes to see clearly. There is a degree of overlap between cognitive biases and fallacies, so I have decided to include examples of a few common atheist biases in this thread.

Hindsight bias, or the “knew-it-all-along effect.” Believing that events that have already occurred were predictable. Example: after debating evolution with a Christian, an atheist will often say something like, “I knew you wouldn’t listen reason.” This kind of ridicule is exactly what Jesus told us to expect in Matthew 5:10-12.

Confirmation bias. Favoring information that confirms ones pre-existing beliefs, or interpreting information in a way that confirms ones beliefs. Example: atheists live in the same world we do, yet they interpret events and experiences, such as unanswered prayer, in a way that confirms their belief that there is no God. In order to avoid cognitive dissonance, they reject fellowship with God’s people – not that we’re to have fellowship with unbelievers, anyway – and ignore God’s Word. But the Bible is completely trustworthy. I’ve never found anything in it I disagree with.

Backfire effect. Becoming stronger in ones beliefs when faced with contradictory evidence. Atheists do this all the time when confronted with evidence for God from the Bible. They often end up more convinced that the God of the Bible isn’t real. Of course, it always cracks me up whenever atheists respond with evidence from science that supposedly contradicts the Bible, such as evolution. The more I learn about the subject, the more ludicrous it seems.

Illusory superiority. Overestimating ones positive attributes and underestimating ones negative attributes. Don’t really need to explain this one much. We all know atheists think they’re smarter than everybody else. God will show them come the Day of Judgement. They will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:13-15), and we will inherit a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1-8).

[Pim Pendergast]

Re: Atheist fallacies

We Christians do not fall for such nonsense because we have faith in God's promise of eternal salvation.

Amen, Pastor. If there wasn’t a place for us in heaven, we would know because Jesus would have told us.

Jn 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Argument from ignorance. Accepting a proposition simply because it has not yet been disproved, or vice versa. Example: “God doesn’t exist, because no one has ever disproved that He doesn’t exist.” It is impossible for the Christian to argue from ignorance, because he knows that God exists (Gen 1:1).

Appeal to authority. Attempting to support one’s argument by referring to an unreliable or unqualified “authoritative source” that holds the same view. Atheists often appeal to science to shore up their faltering arguments. But the Bible warns us to avoid so-called science (1 Tim 6:20) because any form of worldly wisdom is an unreliable source of information about God (1 Cor 1:21).

Argument from self-knowing. Assuming that one would automatically know whether a proposition were true. Example: “If God existed, I would know it. But because I don’t know, He mustn’t exist.” Wrong! The atheist does know deep down in his heart that God exists (Rom 1:18-20; cf. 1 Cor 2:11). This is more of a lie than a fallacy.

Argument from incredulity. Dismissing a proposition simply on the grounds that one cannot imagine it to be true. Example: “I find the biblical account of a God who created the universe in six 24-hour days 6,000 years ago a bit far-fetched; therefore He doesn’t exist.” Because apparently it’s so much easier to believe the universe came from nothing and we evolved from monkeys! Fluffy-bunny “Christians” are also guilty of this fallacy: “I can’t believe God hates fags; therefore I’ll just ignore the relevant Bible passages.”

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: Atheist fallacies

Wishful thinking. This fallacy takes the form "I want P to be true; therefore, P." Atheists use it when they talk themselves into believing that God doesn't exist so that they can commit sodomy and vote Democratic without fear of judgment. We Christians do not fall for such nonsense because we have faith in God's promise of eternal salvation.

When it comes to preachin', Pastor Isaac, you have the gift.

Your statement, "they talk themselves into believing God doesn't exist so they can commit sodomy..." rings so true it should be engraved in marble and put on the Freehold City Hall lawn.

[Pastor Isaac Peters]

Re: Atheist fallacies

Wishful thinking. This fallacy takes the form "I want P to be true; therefore, P." Atheists use it when they talk themselves into believing that God doesn't exist so that they can commit sodomy and vote Democratic without fear of judgment. We Christians do not fall for such nonsense because we have faith in God's promise of eternal salvation.

[Pim Pendergast]

Re: Atheist fallacies

Special pleading. Exempting oneself from the standards one applies to others without providing justification for the exemption. Example: an atheist argues that a Creator needs a creator who needs a creator, yet is willing to accept that the universe has always existed. Because the atheist never offers a satisfactory explanation as to why the universe can just exist but God cannot, he is engaging in special pleading. Of course, we know that the universe cannot have simply always existed, because Romans 1 tells us the universe is evidence of a Creator. Nothing can exist without a Creator.

Moving the goalposts. Dismissing evidence presented in response to a claim and demanding other, usually greater, evidence instead. RL example:

When I hear of people claiming that the world we see around us is not the one described in Genesis it makes me wonder, where do they think it is?

When someone tells me they've done a painting it helps A LOT if they show me the painting. That's evidence.

But when God tells me He created the world and lo, there it is — they move the goalposts and that's NOT evidence?

Who needs electroconvulsive therapy when there's atheism!

Just remember that Creation is evidence of a Creator. It is not evidence of evolution. I always challenge evolutionists to show me one example – just one – of a missing link. But whatever they come up with just creates more gaps in their "tree of life."

[Pastor Isaac Peters]

Re: Atheist fallacies

Misplacing the burden of proof. When atheists make an affirmative statement, e.g., that the universe came into being purely through natural mechanisms or that sodomania is caused by something other than idolatry (Romans 1:22-27), they bear the burden of proof. Instead, they commit this fallacy by trying to shift the burden of proof to us.

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: Atheist fallacies

Yea, I can now understand what you are saying. When we love, it is so easy to excuse, ignore or condone sin. We have to be ready to forsake everything and everyone. We have to learn to hate for God or love a little less the things that keep us from Him. But I don't mean to sound like I'm preaching to the choir, because just about everyone here understands what I am sharing.

Back to what I was saying before... is it just me or does it seem as though the homosexual argument appeals to a higher sense of morality or virtue? What is natural could be said to be feelings against homosexuality. Is this really a choice? I mean the opposition towards the life of a homosexual, by the atheist argument, has a natural way of sorting out the most fittest for survival. Yet the contradiction comes into existence when they appeal toward the greater good will of mankind... Don't know if that is clear or not, but it was an aha moment. Another possible fallacy... I'll have to explore this later.

As to your question, why would God tell us undiscovered scientific facts, when that would only take away our freedom to disbelieve in His existence and fry forever?

Ha! man has the ability to freely will himself back to God through His Son despite being predestined to Hell... but you're right, the resurrection falls outside of the natural and rather falls in the supernatural.

I wouldn't put it past God, after all He so loves the world. I'm still using all my mental faculties to deliberately love my enemy in a thoughtful manner or agape. But in my life I'm learning that I have very few enemies, but my enemies appear more to be that of God's. I have to watch being self righteous and make sure that I put myself in a righteous mannerism in God.

I must say that I had a chuckle. Our finite minds cannot even perceive or comprehend His infinite wisdom, yet He still passes it down to us through Scripture. Perhaps the same could be said about Scientific discovery, and through the course of subduing nature... we fulfill one of the first commandments.

Thanks Billy Bob Jenkins, I think that I said too much. It's always easy to tell people how much I don't know, but regardless thank you!

The liberal/atheist/scientific argument is that homosexuality is biological, not that it is genetic. But since Jesus and I conflate the words genetic and biological, there is no difference. You say potato I say poe-tah-toe.

I promise you that the scientific discovery that homosexuality is biological is in no wise conducive to eternal life. This non-doctrinal speculation about science being a fulfillment of God's will may be amusing now, but will it be amusing to have your flesh burned off again and again for ever and ever? I am only looking out for your well being when I say such things, friend; I mean no offense.

My question about the notable absence of scientific facts in the Bible was rhetorical. Obviously the reason there were no scientific contributions in the Bible, and only rough mathematical estimations, is because God knows better than to believe liberal elites.

[Shimei]

Re: Atheist fallacies

What I mean, friend, is that moral laws can be broken, because when you love someone you leave open the possibility that they should burn eternally. Laws of nature on the other hand cannot be broken, but God in His abundant humility, never took credit for this in the Bible. Why would He tell us undiscovered scientific facts, when that would only take away our freedom to disbelieve in His existence and fry forever? These aspects are inextricable from intelligent design. I do not see wherein lies the contradiction.

It's true friend. Some of those slaves are probably stolen, and God demands capital punishment for possession of stolen slaves, no matter what the purpose of the theft was: freeing them, or resale. This is stated plainly in Exodus 21:16. We must all respect the institution of slavery, which God's law also perpetuates in Exodus 21:20-21, Leviticus 25:44-45, and other verses.

Yea, I can now understand what you are saying. When we love, it is so easy to excuse, ignore or condone sin. We have to be ready to forsake everything and everyone. We have to learn to hate for God or love a little less the things that keep us from Him. But I don't mean to sound like I'm preaching to the choir, because just about everyone here understands what I am sharing.

Back to what I was saying before... is it just me or does it seem as though the homosexual argument appeals to a higher sense of morality or virtue? What is natural could be said to be feelings against homosexuality. Is this really a choice? I mean the opposition towards the life of a homosexual, by the atheist argument, has a natural way of sorting out the most fittest for survival. Yet the contradiction comes into existence when they appeal toward the greater good will of mankind... Don't know if that is clear or not, but it was an aha moment. Another possible fallacy... I'll have to explore this later.

As to your question, why would God tell us undiscovered scientific facts, when that would only take away our freedom to disbelieve in His existence and fry forever?

Ha! man has the ability to freely will himself back to God through His Son despite being predestined to Hell... but you're right, the resurrection falls outside of the natural and rather falls in the supernatural.

I wouldn't put it past God, after all He so loves the world. I'm still using all my mental faculties to deliberately love my enemy in a thoughtful manner or agape. But in my life I'm learning that I have very few enemies, but my enemies appear more to be that of God's. I have to watch being self righteous and make sure that I put myself in a righteous mannerism in God.

I must say that I had a chuckle. Our finite minds cannot even perceive or comprehend His infinite wisdom, yet He still passes it down to us through Scripture. Perhaps the same could be said about Scientific discovery, and through the course of subduing nature... we fulfill one of the first commandments.

Thanks Billy Bob Jenkins, I think that I said too much. It's always easy to tell people how much I don't know, but regardless thank you!

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: Atheist fallacies

Ha! Thanks for that thought.

And the commandment states that we should go and multiply and be fruitful, in support of your argument... lol, you're stating two things that contradict one another. Homosexuality going against the divine creative order and also nature...

What I mean, friend, is that moral laws can be broken, because when you love someone you leave open the possibility that they should burn eternally. Laws of nature on the other hand cannot be broken, but God in His abundant humility, never took credit for this in the Bible. Why would He tell us undiscovered scientific facts, when that would only take away our freedom to disbelieve in His existence and fry forever? These aspects are inextricable from intelligent design. I do not see wherein lies the contradiction.

Anyhoot, that's an argument I'll keep distance from because I am unable to separate emotion from the topic at hand in a civil fashion. Besides, I haven't heard anything but social opinion given as opposition to Uganda. All they need do now is do something about the slave trading.

It's true friend. Some of those slaves are probably stolen, and God demands capital punishment for possession of stolen slaves, no matter what the purpose of the theft was: freeing them, or resale. This is stated plainly in Exodus 21:16. We must all respect the institution of slavery, which God's law also perpetuates in Exodus 21:20-21, Leviticus 25:44-45, and other verses.

[Shimei]

Re: Atheist fallacies

Let us all pray that God does not kill you before then.
There is certainly nothing that violates the Laws of Nature, which God authored anonymously. The only divine laws that get broken are the ones acknowledged in the Holy Bible.
And look at the civility that always accompanies Christianization! For example, the institutional extermination of queers in Uganda. The enlightened minds of Christian Evangelicals are to thank for that, especially white American ones.

Ha! Thanks for that thought.

And the commandment states that we should go and multiply and be fruitful, in support of your argument... lol, you're stating two things that contradict one another. Homosexuality going against the divine creative order and also nature...

Actually, are we not a minority in world history on how we are socially experimenting with homosexuality? Maybe not, but I mean, perhaps, the other countries are looking in from a different perspective, saying, look you Episcopalians preached the Scripture, but you yourselves do not even practice what you preach. There are issues... Ezekiel 33:31-32

Anyhoot, that's an argument I'll keep distance from because I am unable to separate emotion from the topic at hand in a civil fashion. Besides, I haven't heard anything but social opinion given as opposition to Uganda. All they need do now is do something about the slave trading.

[James Hutchins]

Re: Atheist fallacies

I have always thought the:
God Loves Everyone Fallacy was perhaps one of the stupidest I have heard. The only people who want to believe this are wicked, unworthy, shallow deviants. They are hoping that they can continue to do whatever they want and will never have to 'pay the piper'. You'd think, these God hating atheists would at least read the rule book to see what they up against BEFORE putting blind trust into things.

Leviticus 20:23 And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.

Deuteronomy 32:19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.

Psalm 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

Psalm 5:6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

Psalm 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

Psalm 11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Psalm 53:5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.

Psalm 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

Psalm 78:59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:

Psalm 106:40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 22:14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

Lamentations 2:6 And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.

Hosea 9:15 All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.

Amos 5:21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.

Zechariah 11:8 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

Malachi 1:3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Revelation 2:6; 15 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
I Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

There is a reason for

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: Atheist fallacies

My studies are going at slow but steady pace. I thank you for asking, but moreso, I am quite excited about what is happening or going to happen soon. I am going to be Baptized in two weeks!

Let us all pray that God does not kill you before then.

Blind faith fallacy I love the argument about the laws of nature. How all things work according to certain laws, for example the speed of light. We know here on Earth that light travels a certain distance at a certain speed, but then a giant leap of "Faith" or assumption is stated by saying that light travels at the same rate across the unforeseen universe. And lets not even get into the reason why all things act according to laws, but yet it is ignorance by faith to say that a supreme lawgiver made all things...

There is certainly nothing that violates the Laws of Nature, which God authored anonymously. The only divine laws that get broken are the ones acknowledged in the Holy Bible.

This is a great one Pastor. Yet countries such as Russia and other African settlements are increasingly becoming more religious as they advance. They are advanced and technologically so, and Evangelism is flourishing in these countries. And we only need to look upon the past at the greats, like Bacon, Kepler and Newton and so on... They hadn't an issue with Faith in God and Science.

And look at the civility that always accompanies Christianization! For example, the institutional extermination of queers in Uganda. The enlightened minds of Christian Evangelicals are to thank for that, especially white American ones.

[BelieverInGod]

Re: Atheist fallacies

No true Scotsman. This fallacy involves making an assertion and then hand-waving away counter-examples by making the additional assertion that the counter-examples somehow aren't really counter-examples. For example, when confronted with the atrocities of Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot, atheists assert that those dictators weren't true atheists and that true atheists would have done things differently. That line of thinking is completely different from our Christian knowledge that since genuinely saved people do not sin (1 John 3:6, 5:18), anyone who commits a sin is not a genuinely saved Christian.

Oh how many times I've heard this one. It's not like a True Christian(tm) where you have the Bible to follow, and if you don't follow it 100% then you're a cherry picker. With atheism, its simple, you don't believe in God, you're an atheist. No further proof of true atheism.

Appeal to consequences of a belief.

According to this fallacy, a proposition must be true because of the adverse consequences if people didn't accept it. When atheists argue that adoption of atheist dogma will speed the progress of science, they commit this fallacy, since even if their assertion were true, it would not disprove the existence of God. On the other hand, we Christians understand the basic reality of human nature that without faith in Christ and adherence to the Holy Bible, people would have no moral compass, and society as we know it would be impossible.

Have you seen that silly chart where they blame the "dark ages" on Christianity? The atheists will prattle on and on about how the "dark ages" were caused by the 'christians'. Well there's a lot wrong with that issue.

1. The 'dark ages' are called the 'dark ages' because there's no records.
2. The so called Christians is really the catholic church
3. I hate to say it, but the catholics brought Europe out of the dark ages
4. There is no proof that science would have moved forward at the rate they state.

[Shimei]

Re: Atheist fallacies

How are your studies coming along, friend?

Christ's teachings are so consistent, specific, and unambiguous, it is impossible for there to be any disagreement as to what He meant. That is why there is only one True Christian™ sect. So how could an atheist disagree with two different interpretations of the Gospel? That would be bizarre!

Since no religious text promotes violence (except for the Bible, the Tanakh, the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita, the Holy Books of Thelema, and others) the phrase "Holy War" is practically an oxymormon. When did the Barton Cylinder, for example, ever condone violence? Never that I am aware of.

You are also right to point out, friend, that genocide and baby killing are "Justice" when God does it, whereas cruelty is something entirely different.

You are progressing nicely towards salvation, Shimei.

My studies are going at slow but steady pace. I thank you for asking, but moreso, I am quite excited about what is happening or going to happen soon. I am going to be Baptized in two weeks!

Blind faith fallacy I love the argument about the laws of nature. How all things work according to certain laws, for example the speed of light. We know here on Earth that light travels a certain distance at a certain speed, but then a giant leap of "Faith" or assumption is stated by saying that light travels at the same rate across the unforeseen universe. And lets not even get into the reason why all things act according to laws, but yet it is ignorance by faith to say that a supreme lawgiver made all things...

Appeal to consequences of a belief. According to this fallacy, a proposition must be true because of the adverse consequences if people didn't accept it. When atheists argue that adoption of atheist dogma will speed the progress of science, they commit this fallacy, since even if their assertion were true, it would not disprove the existence of God. On the other hand, we Christians understand the basic reality of human nature that without faith in Christ and adherence to the Holy Bible, people would have no moral compass, and society as we know it would be impossible.

This is a great one Pastor. Yet countries such as Russia and other African settlements are increasingly becoming more religious as they advance. They are advanced and technologically so, and Evangelism is flourishing in these countries. And we only need to look upon the past at the greats, like Bacon, Kepler and Newton and so on... They hadn't an issue with Faith in God and Science.

[Pastor Isaac Peters]

Re: Atheist fallacies

No true Scotsman. This fallacy involves making an assertion and then hand-waving away counter-examples by making the additional assertion that the counter-examples somehow aren't really counter-examples. For example, when confronted with the atrocities of Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot, atheists assert that those dictators weren't true atheists and that true atheists would have done things differently. That line of thinking is completely different from our Christian knowledge that since genuinely saved people do not sin (1 John 3:6, 5:18), anyone who commits a sin is not a genuinely saved Christian.

Fallacy of invincible ignorance, or, as it is often called on the Internet, "La la la, I can't hear you." This fallacy consists of sticking to an assertion after it has been proved wrong. Atheists commit this fallacy by clinging to the dogma of evil-utionism after we have shown them how wrong it is. By contrast, we Christians know that since we are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5-6) and to beware lest any man spoil us through philosophy and vain deceit (Colossians 2:8), unbelievers quite simply have nothing useful to tell us.

Appeal to consequences of a belief. According to this fallacy, a proposition must be true because of the adverse consequences if people didn't accept it. When atheists argue that adoption of atheist dogma will speed the progress of science, they commit this fallacy, since even if their assertion were true, it would not disprove the existence of God. On the other hand, we Christians understand the basic reality of human nature that without faith in Christ and adherence to the Holy Bible, people would have no moral compass, and society as we know it would be impossible.