RE: Zeus apologetics
November 4, 2013 at 10:11 am
(This post was last modified: November 4, 2013 at 6:25 pm by DeistPaladin.)
The Moral Argument
Without Zeus, we have no objective basis for morality (bare assertion). Morality becomes simply a matter of personal opinions and desires (bare assertion). However, objective morals do exist (bare assertion). Therefore, Zeus exists (conclusion based on contrived definitions and bare assertions).
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
The Transcendental Argument
The use of logic, science and morals presuppose a Olympian worldview (bare assertion). Without Zeus, we couldn't have logic, science or morals (bare assertion). In fact, without Zeus, we couldn't know anything (bare assertion and overlook internal contradiction of how we know Zeus exists in order to know anything else). But we do have knowledge and therefore Zeus exists (begging the question).
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
The Ontological Argument
No greater being than Zeus can exist (now that Kronos is dead and consigned to Tartarus) (bare assertion). Our ideas of Zeus exist in our minds. A Zeus that actually exists is greater than one that doesn't exist. Therefore, Zeus exists (non sequitur).
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
The Presuppositional Argument, Classical
To debate with an aolympist (one who doesn't believe in the Olympian gods) is to consider that Zeus does not exist. I can't conceive that Zeus does not exist (argument from incredulity). Therefore, Zeus exists.
The Presuppostional Argument, Modern
Without Zeus, we can't know anything (see Transcendental Argument above). I can account for why we have morals or use logic but you can't (the ZeusWillsIt or ZeusDidIt argument). Therefore, since you don't know and I do, Zeus exists.
Or "neyth neyth, you don't know everything, therefore Zeus". (I think just about every logical fallacy is hit by this one).
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
The Teleological Argument
Such a universe couldn't have happened by chance (argument from incredulity). Therefore, ZeusDidIt (false dilemma as there are other possibilities). Also see argument from ignorance, ie "we don't know what created the universe so we can't prove it wasn't Zeus".
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
Appeal to Historical References
The Iliad says Zeus exists. The Iliad depicts the Trojan War. We know the Trojan War happened. Therefore, the Iliad is a historical document. Therefore, Zeus exists. (many logical fallacies on this one)
Appeal to Personal Testimony
I feel Zeus' love when I pray. Therefore Zeus exists.
Argument from Antiquity
Our civilization has long believed in Zeus. Therefore, Zeus exists.
Appeal to Popularity
So many people believe in Zeus. Could they all be wrong?
Quintisential Apologetic Argument
1. W4elkrun wlqkjdif iiwngtovh lqueln waliurtni.ausalasdhnrt (banged on the keyboard randomly)
2. No one can disprove the above
3. Therefore Zeus exists.
Poisoning the Well
Charles Darwin was a racist (not really but that's often the charge). Therefore, evolution is racist. Therefore, we were created by Zeus.
Appeal to Consequences
If Zeus doesn't exist, there's no meaning in life (non sequitur). I don't want to believe there's no meaning in life. Therefore, Zeus exists.
This argument can also be used replacing "meaning in life" with "morality".
Assertions About Other's Motives
You just don't want to believe in Zeus because... (pick one)
1. You don't want to be held accountable for your actions
2. You were hurt by someone who was an Olympian (believer in Zeus) and blame Zeus for it
3. You are angry with Zeus because of something that happened in your life and blame Zeus for it
...and I'm not asking you what you really believe or what your real motives are. Lalalalalala.
The Iliad and Odyssey Say So
Only Zeus had contact with mortals and interacted with them, according to the Iliad (spurious assumption that the Iliad is true). Therefore Zeus is real and the other gods aren't (special pleading as other religions have scriptures too).
Without Zeus, we have no objective basis for morality (bare assertion). Morality becomes simply a matter of personal opinions and desires (bare assertion). However, objective morals do exist (bare assertion). Therefore, Zeus exists (conclusion based on contrived definitions and bare assertions).
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
The Transcendental Argument
The use of logic, science and morals presuppose a Olympian worldview (bare assertion). Without Zeus, we couldn't have logic, science or morals (bare assertion). In fact, without Zeus, we couldn't know anything (bare assertion and overlook internal contradiction of how we know Zeus exists in order to know anything else). But we do have knowledge and therefore Zeus exists (begging the question).
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
The Ontological Argument
No greater being than Zeus can exist (now that Kronos is dead and consigned to Tartarus) (bare assertion). Our ideas of Zeus exist in our minds. A Zeus that actually exists is greater than one that doesn't exist. Therefore, Zeus exists (non sequitur).
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
The Presuppositional Argument, Classical
To debate with an aolympist (one who doesn't believe in the Olympian gods) is to consider that Zeus does not exist. I can't conceive that Zeus does not exist (argument from incredulity). Therefore, Zeus exists.
The Presuppostional Argument, Modern
Without Zeus, we can't know anything (see Transcendental Argument above). I can account for why we have morals or use logic but you can't (the ZeusWillsIt or ZeusDidIt argument). Therefore, since you don't know and I do, Zeus exists.
Or "neyth neyth, you don't know everything, therefore Zeus". (I think just about every logical fallacy is hit by this one).
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
The Teleological Argument
Such a universe couldn't have happened by chance (argument from incredulity). Therefore, ZeusDidIt (false dilemma as there are other possibilities). Also see argument from ignorance, ie "we don't know what created the universe so we can't prove it wasn't Zeus".
...and this argument doesn't apply to any other religion (special pleading).
Appeal to Historical References
The Iliad says Zeus exists. The Iliad depicts the Trojan War. We know the Trojan War happened. Therefore, the Iliad is a historical document. Therefore, Zeus exists. (many logical fallacies on this one)
Appeal to Personal Testimony
I feel Zeus' love when I pray. Therefore Zeus exists.
Argument from Antiquity
Our civilization has long believed in Zeus. Therefore, Zeus exists.
Appeal to Popularity
So many people believe in Zeus. Could they all be wrong?
Quintisential Apologetic Argument
1. W4elkrun wlqkjdif iiwngtovh lqueln waliurtni.ausalasdhnrt (banged on the keyboard randomly)
2. No one can disprove the above
3. Therefore Zeus exists.
Poisoning the Well
Charles Darwin was a racist (not really but that's often the charge). Therefore, evolution is racist. Therefore, we were created by Zeus.
Appeal to Consequences
If Zeus doesn't exist, there's no meaning in life (non sequitur). I don't want to believe there's no meaning in life. Therefore, Zeus exists.
This argument can also be used replacing "meaning in life" with "morality".
Assertions About Other's Motives
You just don't want to believe in Zeus because... (pick one)
1. You don't want to be held accountable for your actions
2. You were hurt by someone who was an Olympian (believer in Zeus) and blame Zeus for it
3. You are angry with Zeus because of something that happened in your life and blame Zeus for it
...and I'm not asking you what you really believe or what your real motives are. Lalalalalala.
The Iliad and Odyssey Say So
Only Zeus had contact with mortals and interacted with them, according to the Iliad (spurious assumption that the Iliad is true). Therefore Zeus is real and the other gods aren't (special pleading as other religions have scriptures too).
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
