When Protestants Argue Like Atheists: 12 Weird Ways That Anti-Catholics Mimic Secular Skeptics

by Trent Horn

Protestant apologists are usually our partners when it comes to defending the existence of God, the inerrancy of Scripture, traditional moral absolutes, and many other important truths. When arguing against atheism, they shrewdly call out the logical fallacies, double standards, and dirty tricks of skeptical critics.

But then, too often, they turn around and use the same tricks to attack Catholicism.

In When Protestants Argue Like Atheists , Catholic apologist Trent Horn looks at twelve areas where anti-Catholic scholars and polemicists mimic the methods they otherwise decry in anti-theists. Citing the work of both classic and contemporary Protestant figures, he shows how, when defending mere Christianity, they quickly object when skeptics shift the burden of proof, or appeal to fake history, or harp on the morality of the messenger instead of the truth of the message. And yet, when trying to take down Catholicism, they seem to have no problem employing these same shady tactics and others.

Not only does Trent unveil the hypocrisy and logical weaknesses of such tactics and show you how to refute them—he points out ways that Catholics, too, sometimes imitate the worst arguments of atheists. The result is a much-needed elevation of discourse, for all sides, on these all-important subjects related to Christian truth and our salvation.

Genres: Theology, Catholic

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2023

About the author

After his conversion to the Catholic faith, Trent Horn pursued an undergraduate degree in history from Arizona State University. He then earned a graduate degree in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in philosophy from Holy Apostles College.

Trent is a regular guest on the radio program Catholic Answers Live, a lecturer who speaks across the country on issues related to the Catholic faith, and the author of two books, Answering Atheism and Persuasive Pro-life.

Reviews

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many reasons I enjoyed this book. Partly it is because Trent is so evenhanded in how he treats the subject. For example, in the chapters he also includes bad arguments from when Catholics argue like atheists in replying to Protestants. He gives an example of an argument he used to use, which he stopped using when he saw this weakness.

Broad attacks are an example of if you are proving anything, you are proving too much and you undermine your own position. Boomerang apologetics.

Plus, it is a reminder to constantly strongman our opponent's position and not to introduce artificial weaknesses that we would cry foul they did to if the same to us.

[Matthew Lauderdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really solid, useful, and practical book for both Protestants and Catholics alike (atheists as well, but I'm not sure they would want to read this). The fundamental point of this book is that if you're going to make an argument, it has to be done with reason and logic otherwise it's not convincing. For me, my favorite parts of the book were at the end of each chapter when Horn demonstrates how Catholics specifically can also argue like atheists and how to avoid these bad arguments. Horn is a very easy to read author as well and keeps things simple and concise, so I think pretty much anyone could pick this up and understand the points he makes.

[Arwen Baggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty good book.

It addresses double standards that are commonly encountered in religious dialouge, and how to deal with them. It's certainly a good reference for anyone who wants to engage in apologetics, so that you can recognise and disarm double standards and lead the conversation in a more productive direction.

I already knew quite a bit of what was in here (mainly from watching Trent Horn on youtube), but I also learned some things I didn't think of before. This book covers a fair range of subjects in adequate detail.

I would reccomend it.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good short book. I'll definitely need to reread it because I'm sure I've already forgotten half of it.

[Dylan Kochan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8.