Atheist Crusaders

Touchstone ^ | March/April 2010 | Phillip E. Johnson

[Raymann]

“I never understood the point of leaping from atheism to communism in these discussions. What does communism have to do with it?”

I never got that either. If anything atheist could be anywhere on the political chart. Look at Hitchens for instance: he believes in some green Ralph Nader like domestic policy and a neocon foreign policy.

[Huebolt]

No, logic does not apply to opinion.

[crghill]

Logic does not apply to the opinion/claim. Logic does apply to the evidence for the claim however. Not all religions are the same, one is logical...the rest are not.

[zeugma]

What does communism have to do with it?

you've obviously not read Marx, Engles, Lenin, or Mao. 

Athiesm is fundamental to communism. If you believe in God, you recognise something greater than the 'state'. They understand well how much this undermines their alleged authority.

[Huebolt]

Logic does not apply to the opinion/claim. Logic does apply to the evidence for the claim however. Not all religions are the same, one is logical...the rest are not.

Exactly! That's why British naval officers were absolutely forbidden to discuss women, religion, or politics aboard ship. Leads to...death and mutiny.

[allmendream]

Say what you will about Christopher Hitchens, he has not shirked from ‘telling it like it is’ about radical Islam. Salman Rushdie moved into Hitchens’ apartment right after the fatwa. That displays testicular fortitude - cajones.

[Balding_Eagle]

I never understood the point of leaping from atheism to communism in these discussions. What does communism have to do with it?

Those who believe in nothing will fall for anything.

[samtheman]

There are several points of connect between atheism and communism.

There’s the obvious connection that communism is self-declared atheist.

And there are other points of connection.

But the most important point of connection in regard to this article about Crusading Atheists is that they are attacking the history of Christianity but they never ever mention or even notice the massacre-bloody history of communism, which they tend to support in one form or another.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

If one wishes a real eye opener on atheism and skepticism in general read the literature of classical Greece and Rome; i.e. Epicurus and his school. The present day arguments were made in those times. This current crop has not uncovered any really new arguments. The similarities between the skepticism of the two civilizations are very interesting.

[Uversabound]

Our Father does not hate.

The two are incompatable.

[crghill]

I have to respectfully disagree with you. According to the bible, He does indeed hate. Those who are sent to hell He hates and visits His wrath on for all eternity. I offer the following scriptures to you as proof. I understand that you recognize God's loving graciousness and I appreciate that. However, Love is not the central characteristic of God's revealed character. Holiness is.

Psalm 5:5, "The boastful shall not stand before Thine eyes; Thou dost hate all who do iniquity,"

Psalm 11:5, "The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates."

Lev. 20:23, "Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I shall drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them."

Prov. 6:16-19, "There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers."

Hosea 9:15, "All their evil is at Gilgal; indeed, I came to hate them there! Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of My house! I will love them no more; All their princes are rebels."

[Uversabound]

A very human and understandably immature view of God.

It does not matter what we think. It will be revealed to you once you are ready. Once God knows you are ready.

[Joe 6-pack]

In Mere Christianity CS Lewis observes that to a Christian who believes in the immortality of the soul, life on earth is simply a phase of existence and whatever earthly pleasures, pains, victories or defeats we experience here are ephemeral and transitory. Likewise, the governmental system under which we live is something we will outlast, and consequently, the state is something that should exist to serve and promote the betterment of the individual. To the atheist, on the other hand, the state transcends the existence of the individual, and consequently views the purpose of an individual life to be one of service to the betterment and enhancement of the state.

I would highly recommend this book to any person even casually interested in the debate...

[crghill]

I'd like for you to read this and assume a friendly tone to it.

One of the most common tactics used by people who cannot substantiate their position is that of name calling. You've now called me human (read unspiritual) and immature. Yet, I've provided you with evidence for my argument. You've not answered this evidence and instead resorted to calling me names. I gracefully challenge you to answer my scriptural evidence with scripture.

If you can then our dialogue can continue. If not, then we have nothing further to discuss.