If you're here, you've probably read my article Atheism vs. Christianity (AvC) and want to respond by emailing me or signing my guest book. Well, you're too late. I truly appreciate that there are people who, despite disagreeing with me, are still willing to engage in a civil and intellectual debate. Over about the last year, I have carried on conversations with quite a few people who contended some or all of the points made on AvC. So I've compiled some of the most often raised points and my answers to them on this page.

However, I will generally not be responding to any more emails or guest book postings disputing what I've said on AvC. The reason for this is that I have never walked away from any of these debates feeling that anything had been accomplished on either side. Nobody who's ever written to me has convinced me to change or retract anything I've said on AvC, and nobody I've ever responded to has changed their stance, either. In the end, debating people over email is just a colossal waste of my time.

If you disagree with my AvC article, please read this guide to the Frequently Raised Points (presented in a Point & Answer format), where you will probably find an answer to your point of contention. You can still email me or sign my guest book if you feel you must, but unless you say something really impressive (which means you'd have to top pretty much everyone who's ever written to me on the subject), your email or guest book posting will be deleted without response. The only people I plan to respond to from now on are those who actually want my help in their struggles with their faith.

Oh, and by the way, don't even think about flaming me. (It doesn't reflect well on atheism that most of the profane, ranting, knee-jerk-reaction messages I get from this site are from atheists who didn't like what they read on AvC.) If your message is civil in tone and somewhat intelligent, I might at least read it before I delete it. But as soon as I think an email or guest book posting is rude or hostile, I make sure to not even finish reading it before I delete it. I assure you you've wasted more of your time than you have of mine. P: There are atheists who do charity work.
A: Doubtless there are, and good for them. However, I've never heard of any organizations where atheists got together as atheists to do charity. There may be one or two out there, but if there are, their numbers are insignificant compared to Christian charities. This is probably because it's a little hard to say "here, have some food! There's no God! Your existence is purposeless! Have a nice day!"

The main point here is that atheism does not teach anything besides that there is no God. If an atheist chooses to do charity work, that is on his own initiative. And again, good for him. On the other hand, if an atheist chooses to live completely selfishly and not care about other people, again this is his own initiative. Nobody can say that either person is being a good or bad atheist, because the teaching of atheism is only that there's no God. Believe that, and you're a good atheist no matter what else you do. Christianity, on the other hand, teaches to do charitable things and concern one's self with the wellbeing of others. If a Christian doesn't do this, he is not a good Christian, because he fails to do what Christianity teaches.

My main point is this: militant atheism's goal is to wipe out religion (specifically Christianity). If they ever succeed, they don't have anything to replace what they will have destroyed. Atheism doesn't teach love, compassion, sacrifice, forgiveness, healing, or hope (although there are atheists who believe in these things); Christianity does.

P: You say that atheists killed millions of people. So did Christians!
A: True, Christians have killed lots of people in the name of their faith. Here's the catch: in order to do so, they had to violate what their faith teaches. Christianity teaches to not hurt people, especially as a means of spreading the faith. When a Christian does this, he violates the teachings he claims to uphold. Thus, the Christian faith itself is not responsible for any slaughters.

My main purpose in pointing out the atrocities committed by atheists is that I'm tired of them whining about how awful Christians are because of the Crusades and such. When atheists try to use that argument, I've got a big ol' cup of shut-up juice to hand them.

P: Atheists were right to get prayer kicked out of schools because the U.S. Constitution demands it.
A: Read my article Freedom of Religion to see how wrong you are and exactly why. Here it is in a nutshell: the first amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." When a teacher leads willing students in prayer, does "Congress make a law respecting religion"? No? Then it's not unconstitutional. You can say you don't think that should happen, and let the debate begin, but to say it's unconstitutional is a lie... one that America has fallen for for far too long.

P: I think you're being mean and unfair to atheists!
A: I'm just stating easily verifiable facts and logical conclusions. Is that not allowed any more? I am harsh on atheists, but as I stated above, atheism is trying to eradicate Christianity, and must be opposed without pulling any punches. The truth often stings, I can't help that.

P: If you don't respond to my email or leave my guest book posting up, I'll tell all my friends you're lame and can't defend your opinions!
A: Well look who thinks they're entitled to something from me! You want a defense of my opinions? You're reading it right now. This isn't a discussion forum; I have neither the time nor the will to deal with everyone's gripes.