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Entries Tagged as 'Atheism'

On Negatives and the Burden of Proof

July 3rd, 2008 4 Comments

One common reason I hear for atheism is the claim that there is no proof that God exists. Several questions can be asked about this objection. What exactly does the objector mean by proof? If all things need to be proved to be sensibly believed then what is the proof that all things require proof? [...]

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William Lane Craig, Raymond Bradley and the Problem of Hell. Part Two.

June 23rd, 2008 12 Comments

In a previous post I mentioned Professor Raymond Bradley’s (Bradley) contention that, [3] The bible teaches that God will torture people endlessly for their beliefs. In his article he cites several scriptural passages in support of this contention. I think his exegesis is problematic; I cannot go into huge detail in a blog post but [...]

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Is God a Delusion? The Auckland Craig v Cooke Debate Online

June 21st, 2008 10 Comments

Dr William Lane Craig and Dr Bill Cooke debated the moot “Is God a Delusion?” at Auckland University on 17 June 2008. The debate was chaired by Professor John Bishop and was organised by New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists and Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship with MandM. High quality DVD copies of the debate [...]

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William Lane Craig, Raymond Bradley and the Problem of Hell Part One

June 21st, 2008 4 Comments

During the Q & A at the recent Auckland Cooke – Craig debate, Professor Raymond Bradley (Bradley), Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Auckland University, offered an argument, which he has laid out in more detail in his article A Moral Argument for Atheism, as follows: Christians accept that: [1] Any act that God commits, causes, [...]

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Just in – the Palmy Debate

June 20th, 2008 1 Comment

I have an initial report from the Palmerston North Bill Craig v Bill Cooke debate held last night: There was a massive turnout of 1399 exactly in attendance. The word is that Cooke stepped it up and performed better than in Auckland but that Craig still won. Feedback from those in attendance was that it [...]

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The Battle of the Bills: A Review of the Craig – Cooke Debate

June 18th, 2008 8 Comments

My small idea of getting Dr William Lane Craig to have a debate at Auckland University ended up being an event that far exceeded my expectations. Despite the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists (NZARH) booking a larger lecture theatre at the last minute we still had to open up three additional lecture theatres [...]

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Contra PC

September 26th, 2007 2 Comments

Not PC has taken exception to my recent criticism of his blog. He also takes issue with my comments on faith and reason. His responses I think are illustrative of the popular secular mindset so it’s worth responding here. PC expounds a great deal of rhetorical energy describing my work in pejorative terms. I committed [...]

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More Facile Anti-Theism

September 24th, 2007 No Comments

Not PC has a blog on “How Faith destroys Knowledge”. The basic line of argument appears to be as follows: three famous thinkers appear to hold that faith and reason are at odds and that faith is the preferable stance. I am tempted to say so what? Does the fact that three people appear to [...]

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Contra Christopher Hitchens

August 10th, 2007 No Comments

Christopher Hitchens’ critiques of religion get a thorough rebuttal here. My favourite paragraph is this expose, The effectiveness of Hitchens’ book is also undermined by the large number of errors it contains, many so glaring that they will be picked up by even a casual reader with some knowledge of history and theology. The Gnostic [...]

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The Dawkins Delusion

July 31st, 2007 35 Comments

A friend sent me this this morning: This is great, witty satire. I particularly like the parody of Dawkins’ “Who made God” argument. Dr Terry Tommyrot addresses the question of whether science can explain the existence of Dawkins’ books without postulating the existence of an intelligent author, Richard Dawkins. Tommyrot asks, “If Dawkins designed this [...]

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