Atheism's Hollow Critical Perspective

In debate, Atheists often frame their identities in such a way that they cannot be criticized. They attack Christianity from the perspective of philosophical materialism, but when Christians criticize this atheist perspective they quickly respond that atheism is nothing more than a disbelief in God and has no other worldview commitments. By doing this, they work to create scenarios in which they're always on the offensive while their Christian opponents are always on the defensive. Of course, no defense, no matter how talented, can withstand an indefinite attack without the possibility of going on offense. It's impossible for a football team to win without ever going on the offensive, no matter how amazing its defensive abilities might be.

For this reason, it makes little sense to honor atheist's claims about themselves. Atheists should be forced to define themselves and remain open to criticism. They should not be sincerely engaged with unless they accept criticism. It's easy to criticize others, but it's more difficult to advocate for a constructive worldview.

Atheism's great weakness is that it cannot provide people with a compelling metaphysics. Among the reasons that communist China is so unattractive to people around the world is that its dialectical materialist worldview, which has been foisted upon the entire Chinese population, is devoid of answers to many of life's deeper questions. There is no metaphysical grounding to China's worldview, ethics, or assertions. People sense this hollowness, this lack of any satisfactory provision for a whole range of human needs. Communist China is a great example of why atheism can't win in a fair debate, and why atheism and atheists have such low reputations around the world. Their criticisms might work to destroy people's faith, but people resent them for it. Atheism has taken something precious from them without giving back anything in return.