The title of this entry is the title of a YouTube video in which the author, “MrMinistryMan,” apparently believes he “proves” the existence of God.
First of all, let me iterate this: as an atheist, I don’t fear any questions.
Now, the flaws in his video:
- 0:15 “I want to facilitate discussion.” Yet it is abundantly clear that there is no chance he would change his beliefs, no matter how rational or compelling the discussion. He probably also understands that atheists are just as unlikely to change their beliefs, and just wants to pick a fight to feel important.
- 0:28 “These people tell me that I have to provide the proof and evidence for the faith that I have.” This usually isn’t true. An assertion of a belief different from yours may seem like a challenge, when it often stands on its own merits and had nothing to do with you.
- 0:41 “Just because they don’t deem my evidence reliable doesn’t mean it’s not evidence.” In fact, most of the tenets of religion are not based on evidence at all. It might be helpful to define evidence, so here it is from dictionary.com … that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground forbelief; proof.
- 0:54 “And yes, atheism is, in fact, a faith.” We hear this all the time, and saying it forcefully and repeatedly doesn’t change the definition of something. Christians cite this argument all the time, and it’s just wrong. Atheism from dictionary.com… disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings. Disbelief. Not belief.
- 1:10 “Atheists, what is the proof and evidence behind the belief that you have.” The burden of proof doesn’t lie on us, because we are not asserting the existence of anything.
- 1:19 “And don’t just use the old cop-out that athium (sic) is a ‘lack of belief’…” It’s not a cop-out. Look. It. Up.
I have to say that I am sick to death of Christians who roll their eyes with a sarcastic lilt in their voices as they dismiss belief other than their own as ridiculous. I’m sure they’re just as sick of me doing it too. The difference, of course, is that religion is always barking at the door, wanting to change me. This video is exactly that, a pretentious and ingenuine effort to make atheists look foolish and irrelevant. It is not an effort to convert atheists or welcome them to Christianity.
Christians are particularly aggressive about attacking atheism. I am seldom accosted by a Jew or a Muslim, nor do I see videos like this one made by people of those faiths.
In conclusion, a challenge: give me a question I really do fear.
* “Yet it is abundantly clear that there is no chance he would change his beliefs, no matter how rational or compelling the discussion”
To be fair, many atheists will say the same thing: “Sure, I welcome a discussion about this, but I’m still going to be an atheist, no matter what is said.”
* “0:28 … This usually isn’t true”
Like you say, almost never true. People with particular beliefs who constantly feel pressured to defend/explain/prove their beliefs are very likely to be dealing with severe doubt in their own stated beliefs.
I can’t imagine fearing a question. But some answers could be feared. :-)
To be fair, many atheists will say the same thing: “Sure, I welcome a discussion about this, but I’m still going to be an atheist, no matter what is said.”
Well, not this atheist. My message is pretty clear: this is what I believe. Period. In fact, if anything, I wish the religious would shut up and stop proselytizing.