August 31, 2007

Top 10 Logical Fallacies Used By Religion

For those who don't know, A logical fallacy is a flawed pattern of reasoning. Something which the religious are professionals at.

In this post I'm going to list my favorite ten logical fallacies used by the religious in arguments. I'll also post their meaning and an example of what the fallacy may look like when used in an argument. I'm sure most of you free-thinkers will recognise many of these from past discussions with religious people.

#1. Argumentum ad ignorantium - Fallacy that something must be true because it has not been, Or can't be, proven false.
If you can't prove that god doesn't exist, That means he must exist.

#2. Argumentum ad misericordia - Appealing to pity.
Why are you so intent on destroying something that makes so many sick children happy!

#3. Argumentum ad nauseum - Fallacy that something is likely to be true the more often it is said.
God exists, How many times do i have to tell you?

#4. Argumentum ad novitatem - Fallacy that something is right because it's new.
Of course Islam is the true religion, Mohammad is the most recent prophet.

#5. Argumentum ad populum - Fallacy that something is correct based on the amount of people who believe it.
Look how many people believe in Jesus, They can't all be wrong.

#6. Bifurcation - Fallacy of presenting a situation as having only two answers.
Evolution is wrong, So that means creationism is right.

#7. Circular Logic - The premise that what you are trying to prove is evidence of it's self.
The bible is the word of god because it says it is, And it can't be wrong, because after all, It is the word of god.

#8. Cum hoc ergo propter hoc - Fallacy of asserting that events occurring simultaneously must be causally related.
With all these natural disasters happening how can you deny that god isn't punishing us?

#9. Plurium interrogationum - Fallacy of demanding a simplistic answer to a complex question.
If god didn't create the universe then explain what did.

#10. Slippery slope fallacy - Fallacy that one event will inevitably lead to harmful consequences.
If we let gays get married it will be the end of family values.

There are many more but these are my favorites and most commonly used logical fallacies in discussions with religious people.

if you have any more with examples please post them in a reply and I'll add them to the list.

10 comments:

  1. hahah they are great. I have heard every single one of them being used in discusions.

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  2. Thanks. I am religious. I'll make sure I don't use these

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  3. I found this post here because I'm searching for common logical fallacies that atheists use against God and the Bible.

    The fallacies you listed are probably common logical fallacies and I'm glad they are being pointed out. What about atheist fallacies? Are there none?... lol. Just kidding. I know there are, just wondering how to recognize them by name.

    Even though I am a Christian by profession and artist by trade, I am still looking for good resources to learn logic from.

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  4. choose another profession

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  5. Disregard that, i suck cocks...

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  6. I've definitely heard those. I am Muslim - this is what I believe is the truth. But I cannot prove it, I can only explain why I believe what I believe. So I'm glad to not be one who uses these logical fallacies. Most bug me a lot, but the first one is really annoying because these people really believe that it is PROOF of God's existance. IT IS NOT PROOF! Gah!

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  7. I don't know what it is called, but I'm pretty sure that drawing a conclusion by jumping key logical steps is a fallacy: "We all have a preconception of God in our minds, therefore God must exist". I find these fallacies often when debating with people over the existence of math in the "real" world. :)

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  8. I'm religious and I don't use these ever... the only religious you'll hear prattling with this crap are idiots. But seriously, this is the first I've heard of this website. You actually have a central database of anti-religious sentiment? Why don't you spend your time doing something worthwile?

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  9. #4. b. Argumentum ad novitatem - Fallacy that something is right because it's old.
    Of course ____ is the true religion, ____ is the first prophet

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  10. Actually, it's Argumentum ad antiquum - Fallacy that something is right because it's old.
    Of course ____ is the true religion, ____ is the first prophet

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