A Refutation of The Making of an Atheist: How Immorality Leads to Unbelief
If you're an atheist who wants to be able to argue intelligently about your unbelief, then it's important to study the arguments the other side is making.
A fairly recent book by Christian apologist, James Spiegel, called The Making of an Atheist: How Immorality Leads to Unbelief, makes several assertions about the nature of atheism and what the truth behind unbelief actually is. In his book, Spiegel claims that broken paternal relationships, and the desire to be immoral rather than obedient to God, are among the root causes for atheism. For atheists, logic, reason, and lack of evidence of a god are just smokescreens put up to hide what's really driving their atheism. In his opinion, it's the atheists who are deluded and irrational.
I haven't had a chance to read the book, but I plan to, soon. While doing some research about Spiegel, I ran across a thorough chapter-by-chapter refutation of this work over at Arizona Atheist.
Unlike many reviews that only touch on a few key points, Ken digs deep into Spiegel's book and counters his points with studies, facts, and well-reasoned arguments. It's a lengthy piece, but one that's well worth your time if you've read the book or if you're planning on reading it in the future.
While it's impossible for me to say that Ken totally crushed all of Spiegel's arguments (having not yet read the book) I can say that Ken did his homework with his refutation citing multiple sources, and refrained from any ad hominem attacks, which is what we should all be doing when entering the realm of debate.
You can read his refutation here.
A fairly recent book by Christian apologist, James Spiegel, called The Making of an Atheist: How Immorality Leads to Unbelief, makes several assertions about the nature of atheism and what the truth behind unbelief actually is. In his book, Spiegel claims that broken paternal relationships, and the desire to be immoral rather than obedient to God, are among the root causes for atheism. For atheists, logic, reason, and lack of evidence of a god are just smokescreens put up to hide what's really driving their atheism. In his opinion, it's the atheists who are deluded and irrational.
I haven't had a chance to read the book, but I plan to, soon. While doing some research about Spiegel, I ran across a thorough chapter-by-chapter refutation of this work over at Arizona Atheist.
Unlike many reviews that only touch on a few key points, Ken digs deep into Spiegel's book and counters his points with studies, facts, and well-reasoned arguments. It's a lengthy piece, but one that's well worth your time if you've read the book or if you're planning on reading it in the future.
While it's impossible for me to say that Ken totally crushed all of Spiegel's arguments (having not yet read the book) I can say that Ken did his homework with his refutation citing multiple sources, and refrained from any ad hominem attacks, which is what we should all be doing when entering the realm of debate.
You can read his refutation here.
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Comment by Mario Rodgers on April 28, 2010 at 9:39pm -
For atheists, logic, reason, and lack of evidence of a god are just smokescreens put up to hide what's really driving their atheism. In his opinion, it's the atheists who are deluded and irrational.
Wow. What a load of dung.
and the desire to be immoral rather than obedient to God, are among the root causes for atheism.
It's not the desire to be immoral, but we recognized obedience is actually not a virtue, especially not one to an invisible/non-existent entity.
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Comment by Mario Rodgers on April 28, 2010 at 9:41pm
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Not immorality or even immortality. I mean. . . WHO THE HECK ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO EXIST FOR ALL ETERNITY IN ANYBODY'S REALM?!
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Comment by James on April 28, 2010 at 10:02pm -
Paternal relationships: I've had a great relationship with my parents. Not to mention incredibly stable. Married 27 years and counting.
Desire to be immoral: Never been to jail, convicted of a crime or even ever been in a fight. Plus, I tend to value life than many believers I know.
So... That's two of his points decimated, could it be that I really am an Atheist due to logic, reason and evidence?...
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Comment by Greg Gorey on April 28, 2010 at 10:26pm -
If he conducts a double blind study, then he would have something. But this is simply an ad hominem, a slippery slope, and slander.
I have a great relationship with both my parents, graduated with honors, do community service, I have never done drugs, I have never been arrested. I originally left Christianity because it supports sexism, racism, homophobia, and brutality.
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Comment by Doug Reardon on April 28, 2010 at 11:30pm -
I grew up in an era where psychoanalysis was given credence, this thoughtful analysis of the motivators to atheism reeks of the same mindset.
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Comment by The God Critic on April 29, 2010 at 7:25am -
Apparently, he only uses twelve people as an example to bolster his "broken relationship" argument. Hardly what I would call a serious attempt at a study.
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