For those who don't know, A logical fallacy is a flawed pattern of reasoning. Something which the religious are professionals at.

In this post I'm going to list my favorite ten logical fallacies used by the religious in arguments. I'll also post their meaning and an example of what the fallacy may look like when used in an argument. I'm sure most of you free-thinkers will recognise many of these from past discussions with religious people.

#1. Argumentum ad ignorantium - Fallacy that something must be true because it has not been, Or can't be, proven false.
If you can't prove that god doesn't exist, That means he must exist.

#2. Argumentum ad misericordia - Appealing to pity.
Why are you so intent on destroying something that makes so many sick children happy!

#3. Argumentum ad nauseum - Fallacy that something is likely to be true the more often it is said.
God exists, How many times do i have to tell you?

#4. Argumentum ad novitatem - Fallacy that something is right because it's new.
Of course Islam is the true religion, Mohammad is the most recent prophet.

#5. Argumentum ad populum - Fallacy that something is correct based on the amount of people who believe it.
Look how many people believe in Jesus, They can't all be wrong.

#6. Bifurcation - Fallacy of presenting a situation as having only two answers.
Evolution is wrong, So that means creationism is right.

#7. Circular Logic - The premise that what you are trying to prove is evidence of it's self.
The bible is the word of god because it says it is, And it can't be wrong, because after all, It is the word of god.

#8. Cum hoc ergo propter hoc - Fallacy of asserting that events occurring simultaneously must be causally related.
With all these natural disasters happening how can you deny that god isn't punishing us?

#9. Plurium interrogationum - Fallacy of demanding a simplistic answer to a complex question.
If god didn't create the universe then explain what did.

#10. Slippery slope fallacy - Fallacy that one event will inevitably lead to harmful consequences.
If we let gays get married it will be the end of family values.

Number 11 - Tu Quoque. The fallacy that flaws in one religion can be justified by pointing to flaws in another.

Number 12 - Argumentum ad hominem. The fallacy that insulting your opponent is a substitute for refuting their ideas, eg, you are mad/possessed by Shaitan/too stupid to understand Islam, etc.

Number 13 - Argumentum Ad Hominem
"An ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin: "argument to the man", "argument against the man") consists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to a characteristic or belief of the source making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim." - From wiki

examples:
1) Your being misguided by Shaytaan
2) Allah has put a veil across your eyes
3) You need to open your mind
4) You believe this because you've been hanging around non-muslims for too long
5) You believe this because you've strayed from the straight path

Well, people in general tend to use these (and other) examples of fallacious reasoning with or without religion.

Interestingly, however, religion is one of the few areas that depends on fallacious reasoning.

I remember reading arguments online from Christians actually claiming that circular reasoning isn't fallacious.

You missed an important one: special pleading.

(July 19, 2013 at 8:25 am)Stimbo Wrote: Interestingly, however, religion is one of the few areas that depends on fallacious reasoning.

They have no other kind. When you paint yourself into a corner that begins with the idea of a magic sky-daddy who can do EVERYTHING you are pretty well fucked from the start.

(July 20, 2013 at 12:47 am)apophenia Wrote:


You missed an important one: special pleading.

I didn't miss it. Look at the post. It says " ... I'm going to list my favorite ten logical fallacies ..."

(July 19, 2013 at 9:58 am)Doubting Thomas Wrote: I remember reading arguments online from Christians actually claiming that circular reasoning isn't fallacious.

lol I want to see.

(July 20, 2013 at 3:07 am)Meylis Lawrence Wrote:

(July 20, 2013 at 12:47 am)apophenia Wrote: You missed an important one: special pleading.

I didn't miss it. Look at the post. It says " ... I'm going to list my favorite ten logical fallacies ..."

Well, ignoring the fact that you listed twelve, including listing one twice, the title of your thread is "Top Logical Fallacies Used By Religion," not "A Few Of My Favorite Things."

Quote:Apophenia wrote:
Well, ignoring the fact that you listed twelve, including listing one twice, the title of your thread is "Top Logical Fallacies Used By Religion," not "A Few Of My Favorite Things."

Yer keep twisting the topic. There's a whole paragraph explaining the title where it says : ... I'm going to list my favorite ten logical fallacies ...". So saying that I "missed one" is incorrect.