It has become increasingly common—especially on the Internet—to hear atheists say, “Christians are atheists too. They’re just atheists of one less god than me.” The “one less god” he’s referring to is, of course, Yahweh. In other words, the Christian is an atheist who believes in one God.

If that sounds weird, it should. First, it just makes no sense to call a Christian an atheist of any kind. That’s a misuse of the word. It's akin to calling a married man, like me, a bachelor with one wife.

Second, pointing out that Christians and atheists both reject a pantheon of gods is a clever move, but tells us nothing about the existence of the Christian God. Christians reject the pantheon for the same reason atheists do: no evidence. And they accept the God of Christianity because there is good evidence. It’s that simple!

Third, the next time you hear some say “You’re an atheist of one less god than me” move towards the objection, not away from it. That is, just agree with them, then point out its irrelevance. Say something like, “You’re right, I am an atheist regarding every other god. Now what?” This neutralizes their rhetorical move, and directs the discussion where it belongs: on the evidence for the Christian God.

Class dismissed.

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