Hello.....I have a little problem

[Sam]

Special pleading, you can’t agree that Christian Theism is a worldview for the same reasons that make Atheism a worldview and then turn around and say atheism Is not a worldview. They either both are or they both are not.

Actually if you demonstrate a difference or a problem in the comparison then it is completely valid to label one a 'worldview' and the other not. A 'worldview' is generally held to be the fundamental cognitive belief system of an individual encompassing ethics, epistemology and other fundamental personal philosophical ideas.

In this sense 'Christian Theism' as a worldview provides these things directly as prescribed in scripture and other sources of authority. Atheism on the other hand, only serves to influence the individual’s tendencies towards some of these philosophical positions over others. It does not prescribe any one of these positions on any issue as dogmatic as 'Christian Theism' or in your case 'Reformed Christian Theism' seems to.

In light of this I would suggest that your claim that Atheism is a worldview in the same sense that your Reformed Christian Theism is a worldview is false and that an individual’s atheism is one of a number of beliefs which form their worldview.

The foundation of your life is your disbelief in the God of scripture.

This is a bare assertion not supported by the reality of the situation. You don't know what beliefs myself, Shell or anyone else ground their lives in and your claim that the foundation is our mutual 'disbelief in the God of Scripture' can be shown to be false by parallel;


The foundation of your life Statler is your disbelief in Raw, Apophis, Nirrti & Co. I know this because you live your life as if they are not your rightful masters and that belief influences all your other beliefs.

You made the comparison by taking the exact same position on morality that he did (prior to his conversion), don’t blame me.

One would think that comparing someone to Jeffery Dahmer based on a casual remark in a discussion is unfounded and unfair Statler. It is also a form of the 'Question Begging Epithet' fallacy whereby you are trying to belittle Shells argument by drawing an unfounded and emotive comparison. In short, I think you owe her an apology.

Hey Sam,

That’s not really how it works, it’s not my responsibility to demonstrate that all other worldviews fail, I can demonstrate that Christianity can account for those things. If you have another worldview that you thing can (preferably the one you ascribe to) we can discuss it.

If you had said that they can be shown to be inadequate you would have a point. However, you have said on several occasions that they have been shown to be inadequate. In order to support that assertion I am asking you to sight your sources.

I'd be happy to discuss this with you. I would suggest that it might be easier to take each of the preconditions you think Christianity can be the sole source for and discuss them in succession with reference to both my own and your position on them. It would probably be best if we do this somewhere other than an Introduction thread though

Well I would disagree with you there, all atheists do have atheistic worldviews, you will never find an atheist who holds to beliefs that rely on the supernatural or some form of deity because then they would no longer be an atheist. The fact that atheists have different believes does not discount atheism as a worldview itself.

I think I think I explained my objections to this argument at the start of this post. I don't think I need to re-iterate here.

You're not intruding, Sam. Stat, if you're not going to post anything, don't post. ETA: I see you fixed it. Thanks.

Thanks Shell.

Sam