Atheist Deconversion: Dialogue #2: Jonathan MS Pearce

Last updated on: July 20, 2017 at 3:24 pm By Dave Armstrong

Image by “mary1826” (January 2017) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Jonathan MS Pearce runs the blog called A Tippling Philosopher. He is co-editor of a book that collects deconversion stories, entitled, Beyond an Absence of Faith. He also hosts deconversion stories on his own site. Thus far, I have critiqued two of them, and plan on doing so for many more. He replied to my critique of Anthony Toohey’s account. His civil, substantive post is melodramatically called, “Patheos Catholic-Atheist War:... Read more

Atheist Deconversion: Dialogue #1 with Dr. Daniel Fincke

Last updated on: July 19, 2017 at 6:49 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph by “marcelabr” (11-8-16) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Dr. Daniel Fincke, a philosophy professor, who runs the Camels with Hammers blog, responded to my paper, “Reply to Daniel Fincke’s Analyses of His Deconversion” (7-15-17). His reply is called, “Have I Considered Catholicism Sufficiently?” (7-19-17), His words will be in blue. ***** Dave Armstrong at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism has written a very genial open letter to me, which he seems to hope might serve as the first volley in an exchange of... Read more

Deconversion: Mini-Debates with Several Zealous Atheists

Last updated on: July 19, 2017 at 1:57 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph by “stevepb” (7-12-16) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] ***** Atheist Jonathan MS Pearce made a response to my critique of an atheist deconversion story that he hosted on his site. The combox then went wild in questioning me (with not a few of the usual obligatory rank insults). I spent many hours replying to lots of the comments (mostly late last night), but at length wrote: “Obviously, I can’t argue with 40 atheists about 120 topics at once (though it appears... Read more

Albert Einstein’s “Cosmic Religion”: In His Own Words

Last updated on: July 19, 2017 at 12:27 pm By Dave Armstrong

What do atheists think Einstein meant here when he used the word "believe"? Do they think he had an elaborate argument that ended in his conclusion: "I believe in Spinoza's God"? Read more

Were Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain Atheists?

Last updated on: July 18, 2017 at 1:00 pm By Dave Armstrong

Madame Tussaud’s Abraham Lincoln (photograph by Kevin Burkett: 12-21-12) [Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 license] *** (11-16-06) ***** [along with fellow so-called atheists Jefferson, Paine, Voltaire, Hume, and Franklin?] *** Atheist “DagoodS” wrote in one of my comboxes (note: in context, he was speaking rhetorically, but this doesn’t imply that he doesn’t think Twain and Lincoln were atheists): Imagine I told you that I hold the atheists Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain in high regard. Now THERE was a fine pair... Read more

Atheist Deconversion Story Series #2: Lorna

Last updated on: July 17, 2017 at 8:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

If I were in an abusive situation, I’d certainly want to break free, too. The question, however, is where to go (fractal image by “PublicDomainPictures”) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Introduction: “Deconversion” stories are accounts of an atheist or agnostic’s odyssey from some form of Christianity to atheism or agnosticism. Since these are public (else I wouldn’t know about them in the first place), it’s reasonable to assume that they are more than merely subjective / personal matters, that have... Read more

Atheist Deconversion Story Series #1: Anthony Toohey

Last updated on: July 17, 2017 at 5:43 pm By Dave Armstrong

Image by “Pexels” [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Introduction: “Deconversion” stories are accounts of an atheist or agnostic’s odyssey from some form of Christianity to atheism or agnosticism. Since these are public (else I wouldn’t know about them in the first place), it’s reasonable to assume that they are more than merely subjective / personal matters, that have no bearing on anyone else. No; it is assumed (it seems to me) that these stories are thought to offer rationales of... Read more

Atheists Preach to the Choir, Just Like Apologists Do

Last updated on: July 17, 2017 at 1:11 pm By Dave Armstrong

I've been actively studying and sharing Christian apologetics for 36 years and have been a full-time Catholic apologist since 2001, so I think I have a few insights to add to this discussion. Read more

Reply to Daniel Fincke’s Analyses of His Deconversion

Last updated on: July 15, 2017 at 9:58 pm By Dave Armstrong

Cute meme from Dr. Daniel Fincke’s “About Dan” page. *** Dr. Daniel Fincke (professor of philosophy) is a former Protestant, currently an atheist, who writes prolifically and articulately on his Patheos blog, Camels with Hammers. This is my reply to his article, “After My Deconversion: I Refuse To Let Christians Judge Me” (11-4-12). I won’t respond to absolutely everything, but rather, to the parts where I feel I have something constructive to add to the discussion. His words from his article will... Read more

1 Corinthians 7:36-38: Is it About a Fiancee or a Daughter?

Last updated on: November 22, 2021 at 4:29 pm By Dave Armstrong

Ruth and Boaz (1825), by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1794-1872) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (1-31-14) *** 1 Corinthians 7:36-38 (KJV) But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. [37] Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed... Read more