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Debunking Paley’s watch and a minister who lies

Paley’s watch is named after Rev. William Paley, the minister who first used the analogy of finding a watch on the beach as an analogy to prove Biblical creation. Of course it does no such thing but religious conviction tends to limit the ability of even the most intelligent people to consider all the options.

Paley’s watch has morphed into a variety of forms over the years from Mount Rushmore to the 747 in the junkyard. It even underpins several “Look at the trees” type arguments, none of which withstand scrutiny.

Here’s my response to the minister who isn’t just limited in his thinking .. he’s downright deceitful.

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS: Let’s talk nativity

He has a lot of very superficial and scientifically illiterate things to say about gay and trans citizens as well as the proper (baby-making) role of women. But the most ridiculous and most obviously false claim he makes is that there are no contradictions in the Bible. He even says that anyone who finds a biblical contradiction will be the first person in the history of humanity to do it.

I’m acquainted with a street preacher called Dale. I’m hoping to debate him on line fairly soon. He’s agreed in principle but seems a little reluctant to come up with a date.

Dale makes some pretty outrageous claims. He states evolution is a lie, regularly using what I’m pretty sure he thinks is a clever, even witty line:

“Don’t let evolution make a monkey out of you”

He has a lot of very superficial and scientifically illiterate things to say about gay and trans citizens as well as the proper (baby-making) role of women. But the most ridiculous and most obviously false claim he makes is that there are no contradictions in the Bible. He even says that anyone who finds a biblical contradiction will be the first person in the history of humanity to do it!

We’ll, Dale. Here we go… I found some. Presumably, since you love the truth so much you’ll stop saying there aren’t any from now on.

Judgement day

Christians can’t demonstrate that their religion is true and so they threaten us with Hell and damnation instead.

“What will happen if you’re wrong?”

“What will you say to God on Judgement day?”

Christians can’t demonstrate that their religion is true and so they threaten us with Hell and damnation instead.

This is my answer!

Discussing God and atheism with a Calvinist presup

Ryan Matus is a presuppositional, Calvinist Christian. He’s no fool and he certainly knows scripture. This online conversation was one of the most interesting and enjoyable I can remember and I’m certainly looking forward to talking more with Ryan.

Hanlon’s razor

Hanlon’s razor is a precautionary little principle. It’s useful in keeping discussions productive, in fending off paranoia and in reminding us not to assume too much about another person’s motives.

Hanlon’s razor is a precautionary little principle. It’s useful in keeping discussions productive, in fending off paranoia and in reminding us not to assume too much about another person’s motives. It’s often impossible for us really to know.

Hitchens’ razor

Hitchens’ razor encapsulates that incisive, no-nonsense, almost scholastic dialectic

Christopher Hitchens had an incisive mind and a reputation for the unceremonial dismissal of foolish opponents. If you were planning to take on Hitch you definitely would have needed to bring your best arguments. Hitchens’ razor encapsulates that incisive, no-nonsense, almost scholastic dialectic in a critical thinking principle that could hardly have been named after anyone else.

Carl Sagan’s razor

Carl Sagan, astronomer and science populiser was no fool. He was the one behind the incredibly successful history of science series, Cosmos. Not only was it a hit in the 1970s when Sagan presented it himself but it was equally popular when Neil de Grasse-Tyson remade it decades later. Such was the ability of Sagan. His razor is as straightforward as it is important. Find out more in under four minutes by clicking the video below.

The argument from popularity

Pastor Tom Brown seems to enjoy lying about atheism. He does it such a lot.

Pastor Tom Brown seems to enjoy lying about atheism. He does it such a lot. This time he’s surpassed himself by devoting his whole video to a logical fallacy called the argument from popularity (argumentum ad populum).