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The Swedish Atheist, the Scuba Diver and Other Apologetic by Randal Rauser

By Randal Rauser

Within the actual global, we do not frequently sit down in lecture halls debating worldview matters in systematic arguments. likelihood is that we are prone to have haphazard, casual conversations over a latte in a espresso store. Meet Randal Rauser, a Christian, and Sheridan, an atheist. Over the process one caffeinated afternoon, they discover a number sincere questions and genuine objections to Christian religion. Do humans carry to a specific faith simply because of an coincidence of geography? Is believing in Jesus as arbitrary as believing in Zeus? Why could God order the slaughter of babies or ship humans to hell? How are you aware you are quite genuine, and never only a personality in a persons ebook? Their prolonged dialog unfolds with all of the rabbit trails, own luggage and distractions that unavoidably are available in real-world encounters. Rauser offers noticeable argument-based apologetics but additionally highlights the significance of apologetics as a story trip. As we get to grasp Sheridan, we greater comprehend the non-public heritage that drives his atheism and the problems that inspire his skepticism. This inventive narrative is a version of the rigorous pursuit of fact in dialog. Apologetics isn't just approximately successful arguments; it's a transformative apprenticeship the place eternity touches down in way of life. it is concerning the discovery of fact via winding, weaving, sincere, aimless, unnecessary and entirely functional conversations among those that desperately need to know the best way issues particularly are. You, pricey Reader, are already during this booklet. Randal has written you into the tale, and you are sitting with him and Sheridan within the espresso store, listening in on their discussion. become aware of what they must say to every other--and to you.

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Additional resources for The Swedish Atheist, the Scuba Diver and Other Apologetic Rabbit Trails

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Okay," I say, "I may believe that I am the world's best singer. Even if I'm mediocre, the belief that I'm the next Frank Sinatra may give me the confidence to put on a better performance than I would have been capable of had I known the truth. " "That's one example," Sheridan says. " "Quite a few, I think. I mean, we humans tend to think we're smarter, better looking and more athletic than others of equivalent intelligence, looks and fitness. But there's a real benefit to having these kinds of false beliefs.

If you think about it, you have two defeaters for the belief that a person really was sawed in half. First off, you have an undercutting defeater for the belief based on the very fact that you're at a magic show and thus you know not to trust your senses. In addition, you have a rebutting defeater based on your background knowledge that people who are cut in half die and the lady on stage looks perfectly comfortable as she waves at the audience. "As these defeaters illustrate, although sense perception is generally reliable, it can mislead.

Back in 1978 he brought his whole flock from the States to the Guyanan jungle. S. ) Sheridan nods in acknowledgment. "Hey, thanks for the example. I'll be sure to use it well. " "I agree that there are cases where people hold irrational religious beliefs that can lead them to unconscionable actions. " "I'd like to see that," Sheridan says with a smirk. "Dig your faith hole deeper, Randal. " "Okay, so you think that we should always believe in accord with evidence and reason and not believe otherwise.

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