Saturday, August 20, 2011

Like talking to a wall

It seems to be getting harder and harder to be liberal and atheist.

Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers

American Evangelical theologian William Lane Craig is ready to debate the rationality of faith during his U.K tour this fall, but it appears that some atheist philosophers are running shy of the challenge. This month president of the British Humanist Association, Polly Toynbee, pulled out of an agreed debate at London’s Westminster Central Hall in October, saying she “hadn’t realized the nature of Mr. Lane Craig’s debating style.”
Lane Craig, who is a professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, Calif., and author of 30 books and hundreds of scholarly articles, is no stranger to the art of debate and has taken on some of the great orators, such as famous atheists Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris. Harris once described Craig as “the one Christian apologist who has put the fear of God into many of my fellow atheists”. Responding to Toynbee’s cancellation, Lane Craig commented: "These folks (atheists) can be very brave when they are alone at the podium and there's no one there to challenge them.
But one of the great things about these debates is that, it allows both sides to be heard on a level playing field, and for the students in the audience to make up their own minds about where they think the truth lies." But David Silverman, president of the American Atheists, believes the reason behind the cancellation is much simpler. "The fact is some people get tired of debating Christians because of the same arguments over and over again. And sometimes it’s a lot like arguing with a wall," he said.
So, the simple reality is, these atheist are just tired of talking to Christians or anyone else that adheres to beliefs contrary to their own non belief. Like talking to a wall apparently. So I have a question. Why is it when leftists and non Christians are pressed to defend their views and beliefs? They either simply withdraw and refuse to discuss it, or they launch into ad hominem personal attacks on their adversaries. It may be no more complicated that the simple fact that they are at a loss for words. Knowing as they do, that is they rather than their adversaries who are like talking to a wall. Where as those like this professor do have an inside edge and advantage. Matthew 10:19 When you are arrested, don't worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.

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