An Exercise on the Problem of Evil

Are you under a stay-at-home order? Consider thinking about the problem of evil (PoE). Here is a brief exercise. Suppose someone says the following to you: “God would never permit COVID-19. So, since there is COVID-19, there is no God.” How would you respond? Notice that this is an example of the PoE. But there … Continue reading An Exercise on the Problem of Evil

The Existentialist Argument

“What sacred games shall we have to invent?” (Nietzsche, The Parable of the Madman, The Joyful Wisdom) “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)   Introduction In this article, I provide an argument from … Continue reading The Existentialist Argument

The Probabilistic Argument from Gratuitous Evil and the Bracketing of Evidence

Introduction In this article, I argue that when considering the existence of God, it is unreasonable to bracket background evidence in the manner described below. First, this move is methodologically insufficient. Second, it is conceptually questionable. The Argument from Gratuitous Evil and the Bracketing Method The argument from gratuitous evil is usually articulated as a … Continue reading The Probabilistic Argument from Gratuitous Evil and the Bracketing of Evidence

“The Ring of Truth”

What religion or worldview possesses the “Ring of Truth?” It is definitely not Islam or atheism! To be sure, this is not a deductive argument like the Kalam, Freethinking, or Ontological Arguments. I am simply encouraging readers to pay attention to their intuition. Although we cannot always trust our intuition, I contend that it is … Continue reading “The Ring of Truth”

Batman symbol

Batman: World’s Greatest… Atheist?

So Batman is an atheist. Or at least that’s what the headlines said in August 2018. I finally read the issue in question, Batman #53, which is part of the story arc “Cold Days” (slight spoilers ahead). In the story, Bruce Wayne, Batman’s alter ego, is serving on a jury. He sees a fellow juror … Continue reading Batman: World’s Greatest… Atheist?

Atheists Opposing Molinism

In my experience, not only do I find myself defending Molinism from the likes of Calvinists and Open Theists, but I am amazed to see the vigor in which atheists also oppose Molina’s doctrine of middle knowledge. After all, why should the atheist care what view a Christian holds of divine sovereignty and human responsibility? It … Continue reading Atheists Opposing Molinism

Atheism Is Un-American

It is often purported that America was not founded on “religion” and that there is a “separation of church and state.” Thus, any discussion about God in public schools (for example) will swiftly be dealt with by the ACLU. But, since the ACLU stands for the *American* civil liberties union, it is pertinent to consider the … Continue reading Atheism Is Un-American

To COEXIST is a Biblical Command

Almost every time I go for a drive these days I can count on seeing at least one bumper sticker with only one word on it — “COEXIST.” According to Wikipedia, the bumper sticker typically spells “COEXIST” using an Islamic crescent moon for the “C,” a peace sign for the “O,” a combination of the male and female symbols for … Continue reading To COEXIST is a Biblical Command

Stuff Atheists Say: Atheism Is a Lack of Belief

Welcome to the fourth – and LONG overdue – edition of my series Stuff Atheists Say. This is where I deconstruct some of the sillier slogans that some atheists use as conversation-stoppers with theists. (And if you haven’t checked out the first three yet, you can catch up here: part 1, part 2, part 3.) … Continue reading Stuff Atheists Say: Atheism Is a Lack of Belief

Atheism: Lack of Belief or Blind Faith?

What is atheism? More importantly, what does an atheist believe? Believe it or not, most atheists I interact with are rarely confident about their beliefs. Those who think they are cannot make a logical case to support their claims. Much of this confusion is based on a misunderstanding of the word “atheism.” According to Merriam Webster’s … Continue reading Atheism: Lack of Belief or Blind Faith?