What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

[Akivah]

What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

In my discussions with atheists over the years, I have found that they make two common mistakes.
1. Atheists attribute Christian theology to Judaism. I think they do it since most atheists were raised Christian.
2. They try to stick G-d into a test tube and when that fails, use that as a proof of G-d's non existence.

 

[George-ananda]

Criticism certainly isn't a "reason",

That is why I called it a 'common mistake'.

I feel that criticism is just one of the tools atheists use to attempt to get others to question. By the time someone is employing those types of tools, that person has likely already reached the ultimate conclusion of their belief - that it is all just hogwash. It's not as if the well of "criticism" suddenly drying up would cause most atheists to immediately convert to some deity-centric belief system. Even you can appreciate that.

I was more getting at observations like few atheists really understand things like pantheistic non-dual (God and creation are not-two) Hinduism. They 'most commonly' criticize Abrahamic God concepts, point out the Problem of Evil, dated thinking in scriptures, lack of evidence for an external God, etc...

 

[Revoltingest]

Hmm. You say you never heard that argument then you go on below to pretty much make the argument.

What I said isn't an argument for atheism.
It's an observation why so many believers leave the faith.
As to where the land after leaving, that's another matter.
Clearly, shortcomings of one religion do not point to atheism.

 

[outhouse]

1. Atheists attribute Christian theology to Judaism. I think they do it since most atheists were raised Christian.

Some do.

The same exact way Judaism attributes different adherence to the laws in question, and view the theology different.

2. They try to stick G-d into a test tube and when that fails, use that as a proof of G-d's non existence.

What about the test tube Judaism shoves god in?

What about the fact they use theological text written in rhetorical prose and mythology, to prove gods existence?

 

[outhouse]

From another thread: Ah, yes. The famous "I dunno" argument --

Typical theist argument for a description and definition of their god.

 

[paarsurrey]

What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

They are always short of a good argument, so they resort to derision and ridicule. Let it be their birth-right, never-mind.
Regards

 

[prometheus11]

What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

They are always short of a good argument, so they resort to derision and ridicule. Let it be their birth-right, never-mind.
Regards

What would you consider to be the worst two arguments that atheist use?

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

They are always short of a good argument, so they resort to derision and ridicule. Let it be their birth-right, never-mind.
Regards

I honestly only see direct derision and ridicule from the most underdeveloped/infantile atheists on this site. I'm not going to say I haven't seen it, because I have. And it may well be that some of what I have written in the past may be interpreted in that light.

But more frequently I would guess that you feel ridiculed even when that is not, at all, what the atheist you are faced with is trying to accomplish. And this may stem from the idea that a lot of positions you have to take as a theist end up getting you stuck defending things about your faith that seem very ridiculous when back-lit by rationality and logic-based lines of questioning.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

I would say the most common mistake is thinking that criticism of the Bible and the Abrahamic God concept are sufficient reasons for atheism.

Sounds like one of the most common mistakes that theists make regarding atheists.

 

[McBell]

What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

They are always short of a good argument, so they resort to derision and ridicule. Let it be their birth-right, never-mind.
Regards

your transference is showing.

 

[leibowde84]

The most common mistake that atheists make is a category mistake. They mistakenly believe that polytheistic deities belong to the same ontological frame of reference as the monotheistic Deity. This category mistake is made in a variety of (inane) arguments that atheists commonly make. For instance, atheists often argue that atheism is simply believing in one less god than you do. But this is a category mistake. Polytheistic deities (if they do exist) are celestial beings that belong to the same ontological level that angels do; they do not belong to the same ontological level that the monotheistic Deity does.

But, isn't this merely changing the definition of the terms "God" and "deity"? And, as such, isn't the category mistake due to certain polytheists changing the meaning of these terms, which basically changes what it means to be an "atheist"?

 

[outhouse]

They are always short of a good argument, so they resort to derision and ridicule.

Would you even know what a good argument was?

I have not seen you debate since you joined. You proselytize and little else.

People who think they are often ridiculed, are often the cause

 

[Skwim]

The most common mistake atheists make most absolutely is a category mistake. Another mistake they commonly make while in the process making the category mistake is invoking scientism without realizing it.

Wow! two "category mistake/error" in one post. Hmmmm. . . "You Keep Using That Word, But I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means."

Don't get me wrong, I'm not implying you should stop employing the term, because I'm beginning to look forward to your continued use and reuse of it. Just as on the previous page where you were good enough to use it in post 181 (twice in fact---thank you) and then again a mere eight posts later in post 189. Thanks. You're crackers and catnip in my book.

In any event, outhouse is right in picking up on what Philosopher Daniel Dennett said, "when someone puts forward a scientific theory that [religious critics] really don't like, they just try to discredit it as 'scientism'." So, in case you're not aware, "scientism," in the hands of the scornful critic is just another red flag of desperation. Thought you might want to know. (no need to thank me.)

Your pal and watchdog

Skwim.

 

[Koldo]

What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

I would say the most common mistake is thinking that criticism of the Bible and the Abrahamic God concept are sufficient reasons for atheism.

When you don't believe in any other god, it just might be.

 

[McBell]

I have not seen you debate since you joined.

Perhaps you could post a link to where he has actually debated something?
I ask because I have as yet to see him debate anything.

 

[Deathbydefault]

What is the most common mistake that atheists make?

They are always short of a good argument, so they resort to derision and ridicule. Let it be their birth-right, never-mind.
Regards

What do you even define as a good argument?
I've seen some very clever arguments made against you and other theists.
Frankly, I don't think you would recognize any argument from the opposition as "good".

You've been ridiculed by atheists? Cry about it.

 

[outhouse]

Perhaps you could post a link to where he has actually debated something?
I ask because I have as yet to see him debate anything.

Why as l me ? I said he does not debate.


There are no links to him doing anything but proselytizing

 

[Skwim]

The most common mistake I see atheists make is expecting the believer to counter a rational point with a rational reply. It has to be kept in mind that those who were convinced without reason cannot be unconvinced by reason.

.​

 

[McBell]

Why as l me ? I said he does not debate.


There are no links to him doing anything but proselytizing

My bad.
I misread your post.

Move along, nothing to see here.....

 

[ThirtyThree]

The most common mistake I see atheists make is expecting the believer to counter a rational point with a rational reply. It has to be kept in mind that those who were convinced without reason cannot be unconvinced by reason.

That is a terrible generalization. Although, it is most often unfortunately true.