Wikipedia defines a straw man argument as “a form of argument and an informal fallacy based on giving the impression of refuting an opponent’s argument, while actually refuting an argument that was not presented by that opponent. One who engages in this fallacy is said to be “attacking a straw man.”
There have been an unending series of arguments from congress with strong perspectives of opposition against each other. I cannot help but feel challenged and frustrated by the arguments. Frequently these are from a perspective of derision and hate. Regardless of position, we can only move forward by finding truth. We have to look at the facts, and make conclusions from there. To find a solution, the first step is to find a way to get along. In politic, if bigotry intervenes. there will be no short term solution.
I feel a sense of derision and hate from Atheists toward Christians. I do not expect that I can resolve this age old question between atheists and Christians, even though I feel there is truth in a living savior. I used to be agnostic — a philosophical position which I have always considered a stronger perspective than the arguments of an atheist. I was changed through circumstances, people, and facts. I was changed into a believer in Jesus Christ.
Over the next few weeks I am going to look at a series of arguments against Christianity, based on an article at Atheists Alliance International by Bill Flavell, entitled “Eight Reasons Christianity is False”. Bill concludes his article with the words “…faith and feelings cannot help us determine if Christianity is true.” At face value, this seems correct, until you look deeper. Consider my argument:
Right now, it is likely you are sitting on a chair to read this article. Do you trust that your chair is not going to collapse and put you on the ground? Why?
Our understanding of ‘chair’ tells us:
- A chair has distinctive characteristics that help us understand exactly what is intended.
- We have witnessed other people using a chair. Based on years of observable experience, we can know it will support us.
- Resting on a chair is one of the ways we can chill/relax. If we chose not to use the chair, it is simply a choice which may or may not help us to relax. The chair still exists.
- Understandably– if we grow up in a world where a chair is unknown or unreliable, as a concept, we cannot trust in it.
- Trust comes from a reliable witness that supports the perspective.
- If a reliable person shows us a good chair, we can trust the person until we can begin to trust/relax in the chair.
If you fully agree with these arguments for chair, substitute the word “GOD” for each instance in italics.
Our understanding of ‘GOD’ tells us:
- GOD has distinctive characteristics that help us understand exactly what is intended.
- We have witnessed other people using GOD. Based on years of observable experience, we can know he will support us.
- Resting on GOD is one of the ways we can chill/relax. If we chose not to use GOD, it is simply a choice which may or may not help us to relax. GOD still exists.
- Understandably– if we grow up in a world where GOD is unknown or unreliable, as a concept, we cannot trust in it.
- Trust comes from a reliable witness that supports the perspective.
- If a reliable person shows us a good GOD, we can trust the person until we can begin to trust/relax in GOD.
An atheist may still object, but it is clear that a ‘refusal’ to acknowledge does not mean God does not exist.
So, lets begin. Bill neglected to provide sources to support his argument. I will provide evidence for my arguments.
Atheist Bill’s first reason against Christianity:
“1. There is clear evidence that prayer does not work despite the Bible promising prayers will be answered.”
The core argument: There is no evidence that prayers are answered.
Let’s define the concepts.
What is Prayer? It is communication with God. If you are not willing to communicate, clearly you will not put credit into doing it.
How do we define ‘answered prayer’? There is more than one possible answer to any question. If we opt to say there was no answer, even that can be considered an answer. The highlighted article from Robert Harris’ explains it.
The Bible DOES cite answers to prayer. Within the scope of the Bible, consisting of 39 old testament books and 27 new testament books, the Bible is consistent in describing when prayers are asked and answered. Go here to see some noteworthy quotes.
My personal experience.
– Prayer is a communication with God. It is not about me presenting a wish list. Much of the time I am merely enhancing and building my relationship with my Personal Friend and Counselor. I have had needs many times. The answers are sometimes clear and immediate, sometimes not. A few years ago, I encountered issues with e-coli from eating bad steak. The result put me in Intensive Care in a hospital. For nearly 11 days I battled for life, and many people prayed. I remained in hospital for a month as I fought with an e-coli infection, renal failure, blood poisoning (sepsis), an infected gall bladder, and a raging infection with an elevated temperature which exceeded 100 degrees for the first few days. I had never been that sick, and I had never had that many people praying for me. How many? 1) A church denomination conference with over 9,00 people. 2) My church, my brothers church, my mother’s church, and the catholic diocese my mom worked for (~6k total). I could feel the prayer. It was not continuous, but it did come in periodic waves of intensity. I describe it as a warm blanket of well being that started at my head and washed down my body to my feet. In the midst of my ravaged body of pain, the wave of well being was sometimes present and sometimes not. It was so intense that it brought me to tears of joy – another thing I had never experienced to that extent. Days later when I emerged from the hospital and returned to my church, they wanted an update on my health struggle. I stood before the congregation and explained that I was still having to do dialysis 3 times a week. Please pray for this process to resolve, and for my kidneys to recover. The congregation surrounded me with prayer that Sunday. The next day, Monday, dialysis went smoothly and the team announced that my kidneys had stated working normally again, and I no longer needed dialysis. That is a big deal. It was a very dramatic answer — I was healed!
This is my personal evidence – prayers are answered.
