Scientism: A Philosophical Faith of Atheists

March 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Scientism is the view that we should believe only what can be proven scientifically.  In other words, science is the sole source of knowledge and the sole arbiter of truth.1

Many of the modern, secular epistemologies fall short in providing a logical basis for truth. These theories are usually way too restrictive, to the point of being self-refuting. We see this with moral relativism, empiricism, materialism, and many others.

Scientism falls into this category of being a self-refuting epistemology also. It fails to account for itself as being true. Once again, scientism is the belief that everything must be proven by the scientific method to know if it is true. The problem is that this very proposition itself cannot be proven using the scientific method. This being the case, we cannot know if scientism is true. Based on the restrictive definition of scientism, it is an illogical epistemology.

Since scientism cannot be proved empirically by the scientific method, to hold to it as a theory of knowledge is to have faith in scientism.

1. Read more: http://www.reasonablefaith.org/is-scientism-self-refuting#ixzz2O5QtiV9k

Filed Under: Apologetics, Atheism, World Religions Tagged With: , ,

Atheist Faith Statements

March 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I have had many conversations with men, women, scientists, etc. who have claimed to be atheists.

Whenever I have a discussion with an atheist, not too long into the discussion they make a comment like this one an atheist friend made on Twitter:

“keep in mind all atheism says is no belief in gods. @9to5Blasphemy

Atheists say that atheism is just a non-belief. This is a convenient position to take because if you do not have a belief, you do not have anything to defend. The problem I have with atheism being defined this way is this: it is not true. I have never had one discussion with an atheist in which they have not given me lists of things that they believe about God, the Bible, or other beliefs that go along with their atheism, such as their philosophies of naturalism, materialism, empiricism, rationalism, etc. The truth is, even saying “I have a non-belief” is in itself a belief statement. I have not been part of one discussion where an atheist has been consistent in their belief that atheism is only a non-belief.

Based on the many conversations I have had with atheists, I have decided to give a list of the many “faith” statements that I have heard either coming out of atheists mouths or have had written to me in messages on Twitter or Facebook. I understand that not all who claim to be “atheists” believe the same things. Their beliefs evolve as much as their biased scientific theories do. So if there is something that you do not believe in this list, just ignore it and respond to the ones that you actually do believe. If I have written an article on one of the below subjects, there will be a link for more information.

With this said, here we go:

Atheist faith statement #1: We do not have faith. (continue reading)

Atheist faith statement #2: The materials for the Big Bang came out of nothing

Atheist faith statement #3: The universe was created through the Big Bang approx.. 13.5 billion years ago

Atheist faith statement #4: Life can come from non-life on its own.

Atheist faith statement #5: Macro-evolution has been observed.

Atheist faith statement #6: Speciation proves macro-evolution.

Atheist faith statement #7: The fossil record and similarities in DNA proves macro-evolution is true.

Atheist faith statement #8: Natural selection has the power to create brand new information.

Atheist faith statement #9: Humans are of no more value than other primates; or any other creature (consistent evolutionists should say this)

Atheist faith statement #10: I have a justification for believing the future will be like the past.

Atheist faith statement #11: I have a justification for objective truth and morality.

Atheist faith statement #12: I have a rational justification to trust my ability to reason.

Atheist faith statement #13: I can account for the immaterial, universal, unchanging laws of logic, science, physics, and mathematics.

Atheist faith statement #14: The mind (consciousness) came from mindless/unconscious matter.

Atheist faith statement #15: The battle is between science and faith. Its really between the faith theists and the faith of atheists (as this post shows)

Atheist faith statement #16: There is no evidence for the existence of God.

Atheist faith statement #17: The Bible is full of contradictions.

Atheist faith statement #18: Theists have the burden of proof. Everyone has the burden of proof 4 justifying the presuppositions in their worldview, even atheists. Atheists make some pretty

Atheist faith statement #19: I have a rational justification to believe I am in reality; I exist.

Atheist faith statement #20: The natural and material world is ALL there is.

Atheist faith statement #21: Babies aren’t Christians, Muslims, Hindus, or Atheists.

Atheist faith statement #22: We approach the evidence w/o a bias

Atheist faith statement #23: Knowledge can only be gained through the five senses.

Atheist faith statement #24: The fact that there is evil in the world proves God does not exist

Atheist faith statement #25: I just believe in one less God than you do.

Atheist faith statement #26: The world is billions of years old. No one who says this knows this, or anything else, for certain.

Atheist faith statement #27: Faith in God is irrational.

Atheist faith statement #28: Heaven and Hell do not exist.

Atheist faith statement #29: Chance mutations explain how Darwinian Evolution happened.

 

More coming soon as I talk to atheists…

Do you have other faith statements of atheists, or do you want to complain about one of the many mentioned above?

  • If you have other ideas, leave a comment below.
  • If you want to complain, I would encourage you to do so without telling me one thing that you believe. You will give me more to add to this list if you tell me things you believe

Filed Under: Atheism, Evolution vs Creation Tagged With: , , ,

Examining the Evidence for Evolution

March 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

When debating evolution and creation with unbelievers, I commonly hear the argument, “There is no proof for the existence of God,” or “there is no proof for creationism.” These common faith statements from unbelievers are, for the lack of a better word, ignorant of the facts. They are dishonest statements based on their bias. This would be like a theist saying “There is no evidence for evolution.” All of these statements are not true. There is evidence for both; the same evidence.

Theists and Atheists both look at the same exact evidence and interpret it based on our presuppositions. Many of the “evidences” that unbelievers usually give to prove evolutionism and disprove creationism can very easily be interpreted from the Christian Theistic worldview.

Two common evidences given to prove evolution that can easily be interpreted from a creationist perspective are 1) the fossil record, and 2) similarities in animals/humans in genetics and chemical makeup.

urlThe Fossil Record. The fossil record is used to prove that there are “missing links” that show that all animals descended from a common ancestor. From a Biblical perspective, a theist can easily justify believing that even the presence of fossils all over the world proves that the worldwide flood of Genesis happened. Also, these fossils that are found are assumed to be missing links when they can very simply be examples of extinct animals that we did not descend from. The different rock layers that the fossils are taken from can also very easily be explained by a worldwide flood that quickly formed many layers (this is shown clearly in many of the poly-strata fossils that have been discovered).

Genetic Evidence. Similarities in the DNA or genetic code of animals can easily be interpreted also from a Biblical perspective. These similarities are proof of a common Designer. It is interesting that evolutionists always point to the similarities in genetics between animals, but hardly ever speak of the differences between animals and how these differences may make the similarities irrelevant. (go here for more information on the problems evolutionists have with using similarities in genetics as proof of evolution)

Also, saying “there is no evidence for God or creation” also makes it seem like you are saying, there are not any arguments ever offered to show creation is true and God exists. What I think most atheists mean when they make this comment is “I have not been convinced by the evidence that theists give for God and creation,” but they allow their biases and their hatred of God get in the way so they can continue to suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-20).

I could go on giving many other “evidences” that atheists and evolutionists give that can very easily be interpreted from a theistic perspective. As we approach any evidence, we all must remember that we have philosophical biases and presuppositions that guide us in interpreting the evidence.

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The Faith of the Atheist

January 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Video by Living Waters

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Do You Really Believe the Gospel Is Powerful?

December 18, 2012 by 1 Comment

When was the last time that you shared the gospel with someone? The answer to this question can at times can lead us to feel ashamed because we just do not share the gospel as much as we should; if at all. Do we believe that the gospel is the power of God that leads to salvation? (Rom 1:16). Do we believe that everyone needs to hear the gospel and obey it? We may say wholeheartily that we believe these things, but do our actions show this?

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (James 2:14-17, NASB).

At times we are like those in this verse who say, “be warmed and filled” but do nothing to help them. These people claim to be Christians, but their actions do not show this to be true. If we really believe something to be true, will we not act? The Lord has given us a mission. If we really believe that the Lord wants us to evangelize, We will evangelize. If we really believe the gospel must be heard and obeyed for someone to be saved, we will tell it to the lost.

Do you have faith that the gospel is the power of God that leads to salvation? Do a lost person a favor. Prove it!

 

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Sermon: Serving God by Serving Others

July 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Sometimes we tend to separate our service to God and our service to others. We tend to forget that the majority of our service to God is done in our interactions with other people. If we love God, we will show it in how we love others. If we have faith, it will show in our works towards others. Here is a sermon I preached awhile back on this subject.

Serving God by Serving Others

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Audio Interview: A Buddhist Theist

July 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

interview2This was a very interesting discussion for me. I really enjoyed it. Erica said that she is a Buddhist, but also believes in God, which seemed contradictory to me. My understanding of Buddhism is that it is an atheistic religion.

According to BuddhaNet, a major Buddhist website:

There is no almighty God in Buddhism. There is no one to hand out rewards or punishments on a supposedly Judgment Day. Buddhism is strictly not a religion in the context of being a faith and worship owing allegiance to a supernatural being.

But as with pretty much every religion (including “Christians”), I have learned that just because someone claims to be something does not mean that they believe everything the religion teaches.

Erica Click here to listen

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Audio Interview: Jane Doe

July 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

interview2“Jane Doe” didn’t want to give her name, but I was thankful she gave me some time to talk to her about spiritual things. She is a Catholic who is not sure exactly what happens after death. This interview was done outside, so the wind may make it hard to hear at times.

She gives the “Catholic 10 Commandments,” which excludes the second commandment, which says not to make any graven images to bow down to them. They do this and make the last Commandment on coveting two separate commandments.

Jane Doe Click here to listen

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Audio Interview: Emily

July 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

interview2

Emily was not too interested in the gospel or in spiritual things. She has an interesting background. Her father is Jewish and her mother believes in Christ. She has gone to church and synagogue. I didn’t get through the whole gospel, but this was a learning experience for me. My favorite part of the interview is when I read Isaiah 53:4-6 to her and asked her who it is about. Of course, she said Jesus. I asked her a lot of interesting questions about Judaism, and I did go through the Ten Commandments with her.

Emily Click here to listen

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Audio Interview: Mary Jane

July 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Mary Jane was sitting at a table by herself finishing up her meal. I have been trying to make goals for myself to talk to certain kind of people that I do not talk to as much. One of those groups is older people. interview2My experience has been that older people are more difficult to share the gospel because they are stuck in their ways or unwilling to listen to someone who is so young. It seems hard for these older folks to accept that what they have believed for so long about the gospel may be incorrect. Because of these things, I tend to try to share the gospel with mainly younger people.

But I am seeing that this attitude is not a good one to have. It can be really easy to profile people whenever you evangelize based on how receptive you think they will be. I am happy that I had this conversation with Mary Jane. It was an encouraging one.

Mary Jane Click here to listen

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