So I went home this Easter to my conservative christian parents. Since I had told them previously that I had "doubts" (it was a litmus test to see how they would react when I tell them I am an atheist later in life), they went out of their way to buy this gem for me, recommended by their pastor. Already there is some great stuff for me to tear apart.

I was reading a chapter called "Myths About the Search For Knowlege" and one thing in particular struck me as just plain stupid. On page 70, the author says, "To say faith gets in the way of reasoning stands facts on their heads. Reasoning itself depends on faith." First of all this is complete bullshit, but he goes on to explain why.

"Imagine that someone says to you, "All reasoning is baloney." He's wrong, of course, but can you prove it? Guess what? You can't." Well, guess what? I don't have to!

If someone makes the claim that all reasoning is baloney then the burden of proof falls on them. It is not the job of me to disprove that claim because I, by default, take the null hypothesis of saying, "I don't accept that all reasoning is baloney". The only way the claimant could prove that reasoning is baloney is by reason, thus creating a logical contradiction and, in turn, refuting his own claim.

That is just a little glimpse at what an atrociously stupid book this is. He also says that evolution is an opinion by claiming that it is a debated topic in science. Of course he backs it up by appealing to Dr. Michael J. Behe, an anti-evolutionist, and a creationist at that. I can't wait to read through it and tear down every single one of his points.