This thread is to spark discussion on identifying the logical fallacies commonly used by apologists (for the benefit of those new to refuting apologetics)
Abuse of the Ad Hoc Hypothesis
Improvising an endless stream of groundless explanations to spuriously dismiss all contrary evidence in order to insulate a cherished idea from ever being disproved. Those who employ this line of reasoning "win" the argument when the opponent runs out of contrary evidence or gets sick of the tactic.
Also see "shifting the burden of proof", "moving the goal posts" and "argument from ignorance".
Example:
1. "Matthew says Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great, who died in 4 BCE. Luke says Jesus was born during the administration of Quirinius, which started in 6 CE. We have a contradiction.
2. "Well, maybe Quirinus had an earlier governorship of Syria"
3. "There's no evidence for that. Besides, it was against Roman custom to allow a repeat governorship."
4. "Well, maybe Quirinius was an exception to this rule."
5. "There's no evidence for that. Besides, we know where Quirinius was at the time. He was governor of a province in the middle of modern day Turkey."
6. "Well, maybe he was called in to manage the census in Syria."
7. "There's no evidence for that. Besides, that wouldn't have made him governor.
8. "Well, maybe Luke meant 'administrator' rather than 'governor'."
etc.
Special Pleading
Demanding a different standard of proof for one's cherished beliefs than would normally be accepted by any other belief.
Example #1
1. "Jesus must be lord because the apostles wouldn't have died for a lie."
2. "Even if that folklore about the apostles is true, don't crazy cultists die for lies all the time? Jim Jones? David Koresh? The Hale-Bopp cult?"
3. "Oh, those people are crazy but the early followers of Jesus knew the truth."
Example #2
1. "The Bible proves that Jesus is lord."
2. "Does the Koran prove that Muhammad was God's prophet?"
3. "Oh no, that's just a silly book written by humans. But the Bible is the Word of God."
Strawman
Deliberate misrepresentation of an opponent's views in setting up an argument.
Examples:
1. "Evolution says that apes one day gave birth to humans."
2. "Evolution says we came from goo"
3. "Evolution says some races are superior to others."
Please add to this list.
Abuse of the Ad Hoc Hypothesis
Improvising an endless stream of groundless explanations to spuriously dismiss all contrary evidence in order to insulate a cherished idea from ever being disproved. Those who employ this line of reasoning "win" the argument when the opponent runs out of contrary evidence or gets sick of the tactic.
Also see "shifting the burden of proof", "moving the goal posts" and "argument from ignorance".
Example:
1. "Matthew says Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great, who died in 4 BCE. Luke says Jesus was born during the administration of Quirinius, which started in 6 CE. We have a contradiction.
2. "Well, maybe Quirinus had an earlier governorship of Syria"
3. "There's no evidence for that. Besides, it was against Roman custom to allow a repeat governorship."
4. "Well, maybe Quirinius was an exception to this rule."
5. "There's no evidence for that. Besides, we know where Quirinius was at the time. He was governor of a province in the middle of modern day Turkey."
6. "Well, maybe he was called in to manage the census in Syria."
7. "There's no evidence for that. Besides, that wouldn't have made him governor.
8. "Well, maybe Luke meant 'administrator' rather than 'governor'."
etc.
Special Pleading
Demanding a different standard of proof for one's cherished beliefs than would normally be accepted by any other belief.
Example #1
1. "Jesus must be lord because the apostles wouldn't have died for a lie."
2. "Even if that folklore about the apostles is true, don't crazy cultists die for lies all the time? Jim Jones? David Koresh? The Hale-Bopp cult?"
3. "Oh, those people are crazy but the early followers of Jesus knew the truth."
Example #2
1. "The Bible proves that Jesus is lord."
2. "Does the Koran prove that Muhammad was God's prophet?"
3. "Oh no, that's just a silly book written by humans. But the Bible is the Word of God."
Strawman
Deliberate misrepresentation of an opponent's views in setting up an argument.
Examples:
1. "Evolution says that apes one day gave birth to humans."
2. "Evolution says we came from goo"
3. "Evolution says some races are superior to others."
Please add to this list.
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
