street epistemology

[drfuzzy]

I actually had a slight objection to his use of "epistemology", although I understood that he was trying to present a parallel with the xtian terminology.  Actually, epistemology is the defined as the study, or understanding of knowledge, and it has been hijacked by xtians who think that their fairy tales are knowledge.   Boghossian's book, though, was actually a lot more about debating techniques, how to identify and zero in on logical fallacies.  While I appreciated the study of debate tactics, I could not see myself using them in real life.

I'm sure any xtian would think Boghossian was garbage.  After all, his take on "faith" is spot on: 

Wow. There's a lot you don't understand.

He isn't trying to parallel xtian terminology. Epistemology has not been hijacked by xtians (far from it most epistemologists are atheists).

And fundamentally, his definition of faith is false and doesn't correspond to what Christians define as faith. 

His "street epistemology" would fail with any moderately informed theist.

He's been called out on it, and a discussion between him and a theist resulted in him being absolutely destroyed. The guy doesn't even have a PhD in philosophy, but a degree in education or something of the sort.

For this reason, I think smart atheists (who are informed about things like religion and epistemology) don't look to him for guidance.

It's interesting that a simple internet search on epistemology will bring up dozens of xtian sites . . . with names such as "The Institute of Bible Defense" and "The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry".   

Boghossian doesn't have to have a Ph.D. in Philosophy.  His focus is on pointing out cognitive dissonance within the confines of debate - something he does quite well.

Faith is described, by xtians, as a belief in things unseen and unknowable.  This is a belief in things that are not possible to prove by scientific means.  I hear about faith every Sunday, and I was raised Pentecostal.  Faith is belief in woo.  It's the adamant belief that something is true because the bible, or a pastor, or an organization says so, and it is considered special and holy and worthy and godlike.   Saying "I know god exists, because I have faith" is a lie.  You do not know god exists.  You simply choose to believe it.