Failure by Divine Design (A Christian Construction of Unbelief)

A look at one of the main ways Christians construct unbelief and the rejection of their religion's claims--a method that is, it seems to me, far more about reaffirming Christian identity and faith than responding to nonbelievers.

Among other things, as a number of the comments have noted, this establishes what Ricky Gervais said at the Golden Globes, i.e., "Thank God for making me an atheist." :-)

Links:

1. My series "The Shifting Sands of Evidence and Argument (Why Religious Arguments Fail to Persuade)" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L9c7rG6Urs

2. Donald E. Hartley's article "2 Corinthians 4:4: A Case for Yahweh as the 'God of this Age'" http://rdtwot.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/2cor-44.pdf

3. Lorne L. Dawon's article "When Prophecy Fails and Faith Persists: A Theoretical Overview" http://commonsenseatheism.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Dawson-When-Prophecy...

4. David Snow and Richard Machalek's article "On the Presumed Fragility of Unconventional Beliefs" http://centauro.cmq.edu.mx/dav/libela/paginas/infoEspecial/pdfArticulosLaicid...

5. Some people have asked for a source for the story about William Lane Craig and Jesus' tomb. Here ya go: http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=2931 By the way, Craig has said the same sort of thing in his writings and in talks. I discuss this in my "The Shifting Sands of Evidence and Argument" series--a title I borrowed from something Craig wrote here: http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6489

6. Excellent lecture by Paula Fredriksen of Boston University entitled "Paul and Augustine on the Redemption of the Jews" (lots of related stuff in the lecture and it's just very interesting): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9NBIhdFkpU

7. A video I did a couple of years ago about the notion of unconditional reprobation in "Reformed" or Calvinist Christianity (title "The Doctrine of Unconditional Reprobation"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sScMTOleVxs

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[zEropoint68]

You know, another good question to this is how god's ability to 'harden hearts' is supposed to coexist with the notion of free will. Either people are free to choose or they're not.

[ProfMTH]

@zEropoint68 Indeed. Of course, for many Christians this would not be an issue at all, e.g., Calvinists.

[doctim11]

Outstanding. I have had the feeling that "true believers" actually suffer from such insecurity that they can't allow the thought of being wrong to even enter their heads less they be swayed. Additionally, it seems some Christians wear the craziest beliefs on their chests like a boy scout merit badge saying to the world: I am the truest Christian because I believe the craziest stuff.

[ProfMTH]

@doctim11 "Outstanding"

Thanks very much.

[jobfromdayone]

Hey Profmth, can you do a couple of argumentation vids or post a class or two on YouTube? It would be appreciated.

[giaofnature]

Notice that it doesn't happen the other way around. If a former atheist converts to Christianity or some other religion, neither religious people or non-believers say, "Well, you were never really a true atheist." Imagine being lauded for holding other beliefs that are not confirmed by evidence: Big Foot, Loch Ness monster, alien abduction, astrology, ect. The more people acted absolutely convinced no matter what would be told, "Good for you. You are a person of true faith."

[YY4Me133]

The men who wrote the books of the christian bible didn't know much about how the world works, but they sure had a handle on human psychology. It's like they put a lock on every door and window that might lead to freedom.

[atheistram]

@upsidedownkingdom82 Santorum will be the even worse than Bush if he gets into office.

[MrToby9999]

@upsidedownkingdom82 I haven't seen any hatred in the videos. As an ex-christian I find them very informative. I appreciate the effort put into such videos, as they help people like myself who are able to listen, learn and research with an open mind, and then be able to throw off the shackles of blind faith. Thank you ProfMTH.

[RadarKat73080]

If I thought WLC could be transported back to the time of Jesus, I'd work feverishly on time travel! For the sole purpose of doing that very thing!