Christians are illogical

TheOrator and I are both atheists, however the difference between us ( In this circumstance) Is that I believe Christians are logical even though I differ with them on principles of reality and social structures. My entire case will try to prove that Christians do in fact have logic (the system or principles of reasoning applicable to any branch of knowledge or study. – dictionary. com) Brief road map 1. I will discuss definitions 2. Move on to a fallacy in the pro's case 3. Attack the Pro's existing case 4. Move on to my own case. 1. I accept my opponents definitions however I would like to show the following Christian-One who follows the teachings of A Christian Sect, as defined by their holy text. There are 5 different sects and within them many denominations that believe in their own structures and have theological differences. 2. Fallacy- A statement or an argument based on a false or invalid inference – www. thefreedictionary. com Fallacy of accident or sweeping generalization: A generalization that disregards exceptions. (1) My opponent is first of all, under the assumption that all Christians are illogical or cannot use reason to their benefit. However there are in fact Christians who have the faculty of reason (which is the ability to use logic) and who are logical [see contention 2]. Many appear on this very website. Also even if the audience does not accept that, approximately 1/3 [2] of the entire population of the planet is Christian, a critical 2.1 billion to 2.2 billion [2][3][4]. It is almost impossible (in the case of probability) to say that not a single person out of 2.2 billion people is logical. Impact: Why this fallacy matters If you are to accept TheOrators case, you are in fact saying that one-third of the earth's population are not capable of using logic, a tool that average human inherently has, which is impossible. Firstly because they have the faculty of reason and secondly they can still make sound judgments. For more proof of this 3. TheOrator's (pro) case. My esteemed opponent's entire case simply states that all Christians believe in a book that does not reach his rules of logic. Thus according to him every Christian lacks the faculty of logic (reason) and appropriate judgments. My entire con case will be to prove that in fact Christians can use logic and be logical within their actions. The Con case Contention 1. Logic is necessary for man's survival. "For man is enabled through his mental faculties "to keep with an unchanged body in harmony with the changing universe. " He has great power of adapting his habits to new conditions of life. He invents weapons, tools, and various stratagems to procure food and to defend himself. " [5] According to Charles Darwin, man has the ability to use complex thought to facilitate a variety of needs to survive and exist. Complex thought in this case is the ability to use logic, to understand different choices and choose the best one given the circumstances. And to use logic implies adhering to the principles of logic thus being logical. Impact: why this matters Even at the primal levels humans use logic. We place our hand near a flame and we feel pain and (if we identify pain with negative consequences) we learn not to place our hands near an open flame again. If it is hot outside and we feel warm we go to the shade because we have learned it is colder there rather than stay in the sun. Since humans use what they have learned and choose between desired consequences they are using logic. Logic even at a small level is required for survival. And since Christians are living they are using logic to survive. Contention 2 Logical Christians have existed. My identification of the fallacy I mentioned earlier (The fallacy of sweeping generalization) is another one of my arguments here since the resolution states "Christians are illogical" This resolution gives no other identification of which Christians are illogical, it merely states Christians in general. So if the Con (me) can find a single logical Christian at any given time then the resolution is disproved on factual grounds. One such person does exist: Sir Francis Bacon [6]. Bacon was the inventor of one logical process that is nearly used by every scientist from his time to ours. This is the scientific method. This method establishes "truth" or the ability to find it within the scientific community. How could an illogical man come up with such a system that is used by some of the most logical people on the planet? Sir Francis Bacon was a logical person who believed in the Christian god. Even if the audience does not accept him as a source here are some other very notable thinkers who believed in Christianity: Johannes Kepler Blaise Pascal Isaac Newton Gregor Mendel William Thomson Kelvin [6] Guglielmo Marconi [7] Impact: Why this matters The resolution says Christians are illogical. I have provided a list of people who are logical and Christian thus the resolution is false. If Pro were to prove my evidence wrong nearly every single scientist's findings would be wrong even though in many cases their findings are perfectly true. Contention 3. Christianity does no corrupt every Christians thought process. The definition agreed upon for Christian is: Christian-One who follows the teachings of A Christian Sect, as defined by their holy text. This means that each sect chooses their own text to follow. And through proper research one comes to the conclusion that there are many different denominations that have completely different ideologies and theories. But let's focus more on the "Protestant" sect and one particular section: non-denominational Non denominational churches adhere to their own views and according to the definition would follow their own text. Some of these churches (Lake wood Church Houston TX, Church of Living Water Prattville AL. ) only believe in a Jesus and a god. They accept only certain teachings that prove not to be catastrophic to their way of life. Impact: Why this matters If one were to vote pro they would find a paradox since there are various branches of Christianity that only accept certain ideals. That since there are churches that only accept "Jesus" and a "God" there logical mind sets are not as corrupted as one may think. They may only perceive these two beings as an answer to the creation of the universe and in no way does one single subject make a human being totally irrational. Conclusion I have defeated my opponents Pro case by proving that the resolution is false (Fallacy section above) That humans, being human, have reason (the faculty to create logic). And Christians have to use logic to be considered living. As well as famous scientists and thinkers who are logical and Christian. And lastly not all Christians make invalid judgments because many have different ideals and can separate beliefs from logic. I now stand open to receive the Pro's rebuttal. Sources: [1] . http://www.fallacyfiles.org... [2] Hinnells, The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion, p. 441 (3) . http://www.adherents.com... [4] "The List: The World's Fastest-Growing Religions". foreignpolicy. com. 2007-03. Retrieved 2010-01-04. [5] Charles Darwin decent of man pg. 157 [6] . http://www.godandscience.org... [7] . http://togodandjesuschrist.tripod.com...