I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist

Rating:
Summary: The Truth Is Marching On!
Review: "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist" convincingly shows why atheism and other non-Christian views require a lot more faith than Christianity. Geisler and Turek build their case from the question of truth all the way to truth of the Bible. Along the way, in a readable and often entertaining way, they debunk relativism, agnosticism, atheism, Darwinism and New Testament liberalism. Their explanations of how the big bang, the design found in both the Universe and living organisms (like humans!), and morality point to God are worth the price of the book.

I especially like the clarity they bring to the creation-evolution debate. Their point about how science is built on philosophy helps clear away much of the dust kicked into that often raucous debate. "It's not about the Bible vs. science or religion vs. science" they write, "but about good science vs. bad science." Geisler and Turek show that it's actually the Darwinists who are practicing the bad science. Darwinists rule out intelligent causes before they even look at the evidence. In doing so, they ignore observation-- the very foundation of science-- much as the opponents of Galileo once did. That's bad science built on bad philosophy.

I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist has four great chapters that systematically show why the New Testament documents are telling the truth. The authors show why we can be assured that the documents were written within a few decades of the evens which they report and contain historically-confirmed eyewitness details. They also cite non-Christian writers, archaeology, and list over 30 characters found in the New Testament that have been confirmed by secular sources. But they are at their best when they point out how the New Testament story is an unlikely invention. After listing a series of embarrassing gaffes of the apostles, Geisler and Turek ask the reader, "If you were a New Testament writer, would you include these embarrassing details if you were making up a story? Would you write that one of your primary leaders was called 'Satan' by Jesus, denied the Lord three times, hid during the crucifixion, and was later corrected on a theological issue? Would you depict yourselves as uncaring, bumbling cowards, and the women-whose testimony was not even admissible in court-as the brave ones who stood by Jesus and later discovered the empty tomb? Would you admit that some of you (the eleven remaining disciples) doubted the very Son of God after he had proven himself raised to all of you?" Geisler and Turek don't have enough faith to believe it's a made-up story. Neither do I.

This is an engaging and affirming book with a vast scope. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: The Truth Is Marching On!
Review: "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist" convincingly shows why atheism and other non-Christian views require a lot more faith than Christianity. Geisler and Turek build their case from the question of truth all the way to truth of the Bible. Along the way, in a readable and often entertaining way, they debunk relativism, agnosticism, atheism, Darwinism and New Testament liberalism. Their explanations of how the big bang, the design found in both the Universe and living organisms (like humans!), and morality point to God are worth the price of the book.

I especially like the clarity they bring to the creation-evolution debate. Their point about how science is built on philosophy helps clear away much of the dust kicked into that often raucous debate. "It's not about the Bible vs. science or religion vs. science" they write, "but about good science vs. bad science." Geisler and Turek show that it's actually the Darwinists who are practicing the bad science. Darwinists rule out intelligent causes before they even look at the evidence. In doing so, they ignore observation-- the very foundation of science-- much as the opponents of Galileo once did. That's bad science built on bad philosophy.

I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist has four great chapters that systematically show why the New Testament documents are telling the truth. The authors show why we can be assured that the documents were written within a few decades of the evens which they report and contain historically-confirmed eyewitness details. They also cite non-Christian writers, archaeology, and list over 30 characters found in the New Testament that have been confirmed by secular sources. But they are at their best when they point out how the New Testament story is an unlikely invention. After listing a series of embarrassing gaffes of the apostles, Geisler and Turek ask the reader, "If you were a New Testament writer, would you include these embarrassing details if you were making up a story? Would you write that one of your primary leaders was called 'Satan' by Jesus, denied the Lord three times, hid during the crucifixion, and was later corrected on a theological issue? Would you depict yourselves as uncaring, bumbling cowards, and the women-whose testimony was not even admissible in court-as the brave ones who stood by Jesus and later discovered the empty tomb? Would you admit that some of you (the eleven remaining disciples) doubted the very Son of God after he had proven himself raised to all of you?" Geisler and Turek don't have enough faith to believe it's a made-up story. Neither do I.

This is an engaging and affirming book with a vast scope. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: We are all Atheists...
Review: ...to a certain degree. I have never met one single person who believes in any or all gods. A Christian who does not believe in a Pagan god could be said to be an atheist, and vice versa. The only difference between real atheists and these phony atheists, who call themselves theists simply because they typically reject all gods except the one they personally find fitting, is the number of gods they believe in - zero vs. one. Big deal. When theists realize that they use similar logic to reject other gods, then they will know why atheists reject their god. Christians in particular like to assume that they know the truth, blindly dismissing all other religions, beliefs, and gods, so certain that they are correct. This book does nothing to dispel this truth, and it does nothing to show how Christians can comfortably and logically reject other religions, yet follow so blindingly faithful to their own. Christian can't prove they are right any more than a Buddhist can. Once you state there is an absolute truth you have prove it.

Rating:
Summary: Proof
Review: A reviewer below said:

"They would have you think that scientists believe this incredible level of complexity was generated suddenly by a random chemical process, and point to the astronomical improbability that any such event could ever occur as proof that atheism requires more faith than Christians have in the so-called "intelligent designer". Well as I said, maybe it would require more faith if atheists actually believed these straw man distortions of scientific theories. They don't."

As a previous atheist turned Christian, I have been *in the room* when atheists speak openly and honestly. The disdain they have for Christians is far reaching.

The writer proclaims a strawman arguement while producing his own....I have one question, if atheists don't believe in magic, then how were these single celled organisms "created" then. You offered nothing, only rhetoric.

Atheists and scientists of like minds do in fact believe that these single celled oraganisms were spontaneously created in the soup through chemical reaction. What chemicals could cause that reaction? Have faith.

Terrific book....a must read for people of either faith.

Rating:
Summary: Proof
Review: A reviewer below said:

"They would have you think that scientists believe this incredible level of complexity was generated suddenly by a random chemical process, and point to the astronomical improbability that any such event could ever occur as proof that atheism requires more faith than Christians have in the so-called "intelligent designer". Well as I said, maybe it would require more faith if atheists actually believed these straw man distortions of scientific theories. They don't."

As a previous atheist turned Christian, I have been *in the room* when atheists speak openly and honestly. The disdain they have for Christians is far reaching.

The writer proclaims a strawman arguement while producing his own....I have one question, if atheists don't believe in magic, then how were these single celled organisms "created" then. You offered nothing, only rhetoric.

Atheists and scientists of like minds do in fact believe that these single celled oraganisms were spontaneously created in the soup through chemical reaction. What chemicals could cause that reaction? Have faith.

Terrific book....a must read for people of either faith.

Rating:
Summary: I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Review: As a Christian firmly rooted in my standards, beliefs and principles, I always knew deep in my heart that Christianity was the only right way, and that I would always be true to it, but I could never properly convey or explain to other people WHY I believe what I do. This book was so incredibly helpful! Usually when I read a book about apologetics, it takes me a long time, and I have to struggle to grasp and comprehend what the authors are trying to say. However, this book hooked me right from the start. It was fascinating for me to read on, and discover how to defeat what I know is false. It was very easy for me to understand and grasp the concepts put forth in this book, and the logical explanations that prove Jesus is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Light.

This book has changed my life. Before I read Mr. Turek's book, I could not have begun to share these things with others. However, after reading this wonderfully detailed book, God gave me an opportunity to put to work what I had just learned.

A friend had asked me to help her prove to others that God really does exist, and I was able to use chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 to show her how to explain the proof. The people she shared it with were very persuaded, and wanted to go look for the book.

I could never have done this without the help of Mr. Turek's book, "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist." And I don't....and thank God I never will!

I recommend this book to all of you who are searching for the answers to the questions in life such as, "How did I get here?" "Does God really exist?" "Are Miracles possible?" and "Is the Bible reliable?" For those of you who are searching for the one true way to heaven, but aren't sure about The Way, this book is a great place to begin.

I also highly recommend this book to other Christians like myself, who know in their spirits and hearts what they believe, but need some help conveying this truth to their friends, co workers, neighbors, and others. This book will help equip you to..."Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is within you, with meekness and humility." 1 Peter 3:15.

I will always treasure my copy of this book, and do my best to share and practice what is presented in it. My deepest prayer is that God will be glorified and worshipped in the world, and through this book. I know that He already is, in my life, and I hope He will be in yours.

Rating:
Summary: "You Can't Handle the Truth" - from A Few Good Men
Review: Either Christianity has been the greatest deception in the history of mankind, or it really is the one true religion that describes the God who created the universe out of nothing. While the former is a possibility (after all, one has to admit that all of the major religions make exclusive claims), the historical evidence suggests the latter. The authors clearly demonstrate this "beyond a reasonable doubt".

But not to someone who excludes the possibility of miracles "a priori". For these, no amount of historical evidence would be convincing enough to prove the claims of Christianity because they must believe (by presupposition) that miracles and the supernatural are not possible. Denying the possibility of miracles, however, is only logical is one knows for certain that God doesn't exist. And if a miracle, by definition, is a rare event that transcends the natural, one cannot insist on first-hand experience in order to believe in their possibility. Indeed, even the Bible - which is mostly historical in nature - shows that miracles were limited to certain groups of people during several chosen time periods. One need not witness a miracle first-hand in order to believe in the historicity of the Bible.

At any rate, investigation into the historicity of the resurrection - the central claim of Christianity - reveals that all evidence demonstrates the reliability of the claim. Again, if we believe miracles are possible, then all the evidence points towards this possibility becoming an actuality in the person of Jesus. A previous reviewer is correct, however, in supposing that very few atheists would be converted from reading this (or any other apologetics book). An atheist does not believe that God exists, nor that miracles are a possibility, so no amount of historical evidence would be enough to convince them otherwise. However, a book like this may be surprisingly potent to an agnostic who is open to the possibility. And as the reviewer from TX also noted, the book is vitally important to other Christians who want to not only defend their view, but also discover the evidence for why they believe the way they do.

It's unfortunate that the authors have to spend two chapters simply defending the concepts of "truth" and "logic" - something that would seem self-evident. However, the popularity of "relativism" in our culture necessitates the identification of self-defeating arguments regarding the nature of truth. A denial of absolute truth leads to belief in nothing, and a denial of absolute morality will eventually lead to anarchy. Denial of absolute morality puts humanity right where Darwinism leads: equivocation with the rest of the animal kingdom. Either an increase in brain size is the sole reason for our uniqueness among the animal kindgom, or the God-breathed "spirit" allows us to make Truth and Morality claims. The rise of humanity above cannibalism and mere "survival of the fittest" is grand evidence of something in us that is not the rest of God's creation.

The authors of this book take the reader through a journey of thought that is wonderfully logical and undeniably cogent.

Rating:
Summary: Same old flawed argument...
Review: For years we've heard people saying that Atheism is a religion, that atheists need to have faith not to believe in gods and other silly phrases derived from the believers' own belief structure.

This book goes exactly that way. You would think that religious authors should have moved on by now, leaving us atheists live happy, productive lives free of mythology, but no... here we go again. I don't know of any atheist ever converted after reading an apologetics book, but that doesn't stop authors from writing yet another one, right? This is because apologetics authors are not writing for atheist but for people who are already believers!

I know I'm probably wasting my time, but I'll try to show you how an atheist thinks. If you can follow my reasoning, you'll see why this book is flawed.

It doesn't take any belief, much less faith, to be an atheist, it just takes curiosity about the world around us.

What defines us, atheists, is that we lack the faith to believe in gods. Any gods. The difference may seem semantic, but it's not, it's real: there's no evidence supporting the claim that somewhere a god exists, upon further review one is not even necessary for the world to be as we know it, I don't have faith to fill the gap between the evidence I see and the claim that somewhere there's a creator, a god watching our every move, thus, I have no reason to accept there's a god.

In the same way I don't believe there are four giant turtles holding the four corners of the world neither do I believe in the Easter Bunny, Allah, Jesus, Zeus, Santa Claus, Poseidon...

When people try to "convert" me, most of the time all they do is read a passage of the Bible... a book which holiness you really have to believe to ignore its serious and contradictions. Am I supposed to be converted because somebody wrote a line in a book said to be holly? First prove me there's a god, then that this particular god wrote (or commanded to write) this particular book. Don't just show me the book!

Believers say we're blind to the evidence which, after all, is in the Bible... It is not like being blind... On the contrary, sometimes I feel that we have our eyes wide open while most believers, rather than face the evidence contradicting their holy books and doctrines, chose to close theirs.

Lack of belief is not a physical shortcoming like blindness. Belief is! Skepticism is the critical light under which we need to examine every claim!

I believe in nothing. My view of the world is formed by things, events and facts that can be verified one way or another.

"But you have to believe in something!"

Why? Christians and other religious people were taught that every time we lack an explanation for a natural fact we must assume a supranatural cause. This goes for the creation of the world, the existence of man, the universe, etc. etc.

Rather than jump to conclusions, atheists prefer to investigate the claim and find a rational, verifiable solution. If there's none, we're better off working with a likely theory than assuming that a supranatural power did it.

If new evidence appears... we are ready change our view of the world and move on. Most people don't like this, they prefer a firm, constant, permanent view of the world... this may seem as shaky ground, but it not, and we like to think we learn as we go.

Variable as it may seem, the world doesn't change that much. Punctuated equilibria instead of steady evolution? Sure, makes sense. Evolution still holds, perhaps the timing or the process was slightly different. But no reason to discard the basic idea. Unless a better explanation comes along.

You'll find honest scientists discussing whether evolution followed a more or less steady pace or whether major environment changes forced abrupt changes followed by periods of evolutionary calm. Humans as we are, some may be more attached to their original theories than others' theories. But nobody would argue a scientific position from a belief standpoint.

Which takes me to the point of "good science v. bad science", other of the pillars trying to hold this book together... who decides what is good or bad science? Well, the authors think that anything that fits the Bible is good, whatever doesn't is bad... when in fact there's not a single scientific evidence supporting any of the supranatural claims of the Bible! Genesis? Young earth? Flat earth? Giants roaming the Earth? Flood? Virgin birth? Resurrection? Talking bushes? Miracles?

You pick up the topic, science always points the other way...

The scientific process is based on peer review, which means that scientists check each other's work continuously. If something can't be replicated, then it's back to the drawing board. Peer-reviewed science is good science. Interpreting the natural world in accordance to the Bible is bad science...

So we believe in science? No... we don't believe in science. It is the process that brings a critical review of every claim and for that reason we apply it to everything. But it's not a belief, it's an always evolving process. It's a method. You don't believe in methods, do you?

But this is another flaw in the book... the belief that Atheists believe in science (bad science, by the way, according to the authors).

Based on their belief structure, religious people assume that if we don't believe in any god, we must believe in Science, Atheism, Evolution, The Big Ameba, the Big Bang or whatever. The fact is, atheists don't believe, they take whatever evidence there is and construct their view of the world. Do I believe in evolution? No... but I have seen proof of it, so I don't need to believe, it's there for everyone to see.

The problem with apologetics books, as I said before, is that they are mostly written for the Christian public. I know this after having read most of the main apologetics books out there, given to me over the years by friends and family. No author ever tried to think like an atheist. If apologetics authors were to write from an atheist perspective, they would confuse their readers and their books would be complete commercial failures.

This book is flawed in the sense that the authors, while trying to show how atheists think, can't leave behind years of thinking like Christians. Which is probably good for them, but bad for the book.

It is good for them because if Christians were to start from a blank slate thinking about the world they see, most smart ones will probably arrive to the same conclusion millions of atheists arrived before: no evidence, no need to believe, no need for a god, much less proof of the Christian religion. Apologetics books would have exactly the opposite effect...

Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful and valuable
Review: Geisler & Turek marshall powerful arguments and evidence that Christianity is hardly built on blind faith. Blindness, they claim, is instead required for those who insist on rejecting (or refuse to even consider) the extraordinary historical documentation that supports the claims of the New Testament. I found the book to be surprisingly readable, thoughtful, and illuminating. Extremely glad I bought it. This afternoon I mailed a copy to send to my sister.

Rating:
Summary: Atheist almost swayed by this book
Review: Having read quite a few Christian apologetics books, I feel I can say that this one is by far the best in scope, logic, and wit. The authors convincingly build up their case in layers, starting with well-reasoned arguments why God exists, and building in stages as to why Jesus is the way to go, once everything else is accepted.

The authors include run-ins they've had with professors and debate opponents, making for an interesting read. The appendixes, which feature a mock dialogue between a Christian and an atheist, are entertaining. The book covers all the important issues that this topic entails, from cosmology, life origins, evolution, morality, and a defense of the Bible.

No honest atheist can read this book without being impressed by the quality of the theistic arguments as presented by the authors. The objections of skeptics are confronted with confidence. Did it change my mind? It may have planted a seed.

I highly recommend this book to both atheists and Christians, and to anyone else interested in this topic. It is VERY convincing. These guys know their stuff.