This was originally written by Internet Infidels years ago and it has since been passed along by atheists. Christians got a hold of it and flipped it around: "Over Three Hundred Disproofs of God's Existence." http://www.tektonics.org/guest/300proof.html What I particularly like about them is the very same logic lampooned in this list are used by those that condemn Christianity! So I find it helpful occasionally to, when I see this in action, select the equivalent argument used by the atheist and quote it for him. This usually cuts to the point and moves the debate along. For instance, here's a conversation between me and an agnostic from March 22 on DrivingMeInsane.com/forums/religion: Me: "[Regarding absolute truth:] Here's the real deal: look at all cultures throughout all history, and you'll find that, yes, there are lots of moral variances in the details, but there are very large common threads, and killing innocent children is usually one of them."* Agnostic: 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. 31:17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. 11:5 and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of cattle.
"Nuff said" Me: "You're pulling a #13: "ARGUMENT FROM THE BIBLE [Arbitrary passage from OT] [Arbitrary passage from NT] Therefore, God doesn't exist.
"What about Deuteronomy 5:17 -- "You shall not murder." "
I then deconstructed those verses he cited. He followed up with attempting to show that I subscribe in absolute truth "with an asterisk," that there are absolute truths, except where God says otherwise, but he failed to grasp that absolute truths originate from God, so there is no asterisk. But he dropped the verses promptly at the citation of the "Argument from the Bible." Here are some other fun ones: 146. ARGUMENT FROM SPAGHETTI A few people saw something weird in a bowl of spaghetti. Some Catholics believe that it is the Virgin Mary. They're obviously kooks. Therefore, God doesn't exist. 17. ARGUMENT FROM INTIMIDATION See my fist? Therefore, God doesn't exist. 58. ARGUMENT FROM MONTY PYTHONISH ARGUMENTATION (aka ARGUMENT FROM CONTRADICTON aka ARGUMENT FROM THE AUTOMATIC GAINSAYING OF ANYTHING THE OTHER PERSON SAYS) God doesn’t exist. [Theist's counterargument] No he doesn’t. [Theist's counterargument] No he doesn’t! [Theist's counterargument] NO HE DOESN’T!!! [Theist gives up and goes home] Therefore, God doesn’t exist. 73. ARGUMENT FROM EXHAUSTION (abridged) Do you agree with the utterly trivial proposition X? Theist: of course. How about the slightly modified proposition X'? Theist: Um, no, not really. Good. Since we agree, how about Y? Is that true? Theist: No! And I didn't agree with X'! With the truths of these clearly established, surely you agree that Z is true as well? Theist: No. So far I have only agreed with X! Where is this going, anyway? I'm glad we all agree..... [Atheist goes on and on and on...] So now we have used propositions X, X', Y, Y', Z, Z', P, P', Q and Q' to arrive at the obviously valid point R. Agreed? Theist: Like I said, so far I've only agreed with X. Where is this going? [Atheist continues to go on and on and on...] So we now conclude from this that propositions L'', L''' and J'' are true. Agreed? I HAVEN'T AGREED WITH ANYTHING YOU'VE SAID SINCE X! WHERE IS THIS GOING!? [Still going...] ...and it follows that proposition HRV, SHQ'' and BTU' are all obviously valid. Agreed? [Theist either faints from overwork or leaves in disgust] Therefore, God doesn’t exist.
What's particularly humorous is to compare each one with the original and see how the Christian reversed each one. For instance, Argument from Indimidation used to say, "See this bonfire? Therefore, God exists." It also illustrates how both sides of the debate are pretty much equal: both sides have their beliefs and faiths, just that one chose God and one chose against God. Which ones have you run across before? Share your story! * In hind sight, I see I'm pulling from the opening chapters of C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity," which I'm reading only just now. |