David Gamma and Goliath

I really don't understand what's going on with these "vocal" activist atheists.  They act all big and bad online and then become timid sheep when challenged.

As you may know, I challenged David Viviano of the webcam show "Atheist Hangouts" to a debate
(see:http://www.sacerdotus.com/2014/10/atheist-hangouts-david-viviano-scared.html).  He responded by attacking me calling me a "troll."  I and others took this as a cowardice move and blogged about it.  Well the post became extremely popular globally and I guess it got his attention.

I learned today after a few people emailed me that he changed his mind and wanted to debate me. These are the tweets he sent:

.@SCDTVS okay I will debate you, civilly under these terms

You come on my show and on webcam

— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 7, 2014

.@SCDTVS I am accepting your invitation, and it should be no problem for you to accept and come on my show then right?

— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 7, 2014

Well I'm waiting...... @CatholicGadfly @SCDTVS

— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

I immediately wrote on my Rationally Faithful blog my response:

"Well it seems David Viviano aka "Gamma Atheist" has mustered up some courage to debate me and I would love to do it.  It would be an honor to engage him.  However, he needs to contact me via email to discuss the details and the logistics as I do represent an institution and am not at liberty to make my own schedule etc.

Moreover, the debate was my idea and I had told him where the debate would be (here).  This is the purpose of this blog.  I want to keep a static log of the debate for all to view anytime.  However, this does not mean a future debate cannot happen elsewhere after this first one takes place on this blog.  So in the mean time, it would be logical to hold the debate here until the other details are worked out via email for a future debate on another forum.  

The rules and layout are found on this post below.  I will wait for David to email me. This should be fun.  I hope other atheists don't ruin it with their nonsense.  "

See: http://rationallyfaithful.blogspot.com/2014/10/david-viviano-vs-sacerdotus.html 



The link went out and I tweeted that I wanted to debate.  See my tweets:

David Viviano vs Sacerdotus http://t.co/nVXO48cnR6
— Sacerdotus (@SCDTVS) October 8, 2014

So Gamma #Atheist finally mustered up courage? Well let's do it: http://t.co/3y7J92Hao4 #atheists #catholic pic.twitter.com/MGTMXiVN4g
— Sacerdotus (@SCDTVS) October 8, 2014

As you can see, I made it clear with the "let's do this."  Well David Viviano instead began to stall by posting:

I'm not attacking!!! I want confirmation publicly, not too much to ask @CatholicGadfly @SkepticismFirst @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

@xqsmeurong @CatholicGadfly @SkepticismFirst @SCDTVS Everything is going to be done via public
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

Then he can tweet me and accept my terms, until then you are wasting my time @CatholicGadfly @SkepticismFirst @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

I read it, it is a horrible excuse and its not working on me. You have changed your story twice now @CatholicGadfly @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

I am not emailing him, I am awaiting his tweet until then he hasn't accepted my terms @CatholicGadfly @SkepticismFirst @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

There is no reason he can't tweet me, until then he has not accepted my terms of the debate @CatholicGadfly @JimJimsonJr @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

So Sac, is not accepting coming on my show? Why not? I am giving an open invitation @CatholicGadfly @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

Yes, I read the post. Obviously he is getting my tweets and he can respond @CatholicGadfly @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

Like I said I agree to the format, but he is coming on my show @CatholicGadfly @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

Well I'm waiting...... @CatholicGadfly @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

@petersen_angela @FreeAtheism @CatholicGadfly @SCDTVS I'm waiting for him to accept my invitation
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

@CatholicGadfly @petersen_angela @SCDTVS he can tweet me and accept then.
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 7, 2014

.@SCDTVS I am accepting your invitation, and it should be no problem for you to accept and come on my show then right?
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 7, 2014

Did you notice his stalling?  I clearly posted that I accepted and asked him to email me so we can plan it further.  Instead, he clearly stated that he is not emailing me and then claimed I did not accept. He even favorited my replies clearly showing that he read them and knows that I did not decline.

I then tweeted even more to make sure my acceptance was clear and that I was waiting for his message to set things up even going as far as posting my number so he can text; and even posted 2 messages on a video he posted on youtube:

So David Viviano finally wants to debate me, but is stalling. Why hasn't he contacted me? #atheists #atheism pic.twitter.com/mywIYYjmej
— Sacerdotus (@SCDTVS) October 8, 2014

David Gamma Atheist. If you're scared to email me, then text me: 1 (617) 420-3593 #atheists #atheism
— Sacerdotus (@SCDTVS) October 8, 2014

David Gamma Atheist wants me to visit his show, but doesn't contact me to plan it. #atheist #stalling #atheism #catholic
— Sacerdotus (@SCDTVS) October 8, 2014

So I'm told David Gamma #Atheist wants to debate, I say yes and he runs... #notagain http://t.co/3y7J92Hao4 #atheists #atheism #catholic
— Sacerdotus (@SCDTVS) October 8, 2014

So Atheist Gamma invites me to his show, no plans no details. Who invites another to dinner without giving directions? #atheists #atheism
— Sacerdotus (@SCDTVS) October 8, 2014

Well GammaAtheist still hasn't replied. I even messaged his youtube. #atheists #atheisthangouts #atheism #catholic pic.twitter.com/gUqwx4rhCl
— Sacerdotus (@SCDTVS) October 8, 2014

What else can I do?  He doesn't want to contact me so we can plan it and see when is a good time.  I'm a busy guy and I'm sure he is as well.  He can't just throw out blanket invitations and not contact me regarding the details so we can plan it out.  That is extremely unprofessional.  

Can you imagine if Oprah or Dr. Phil invited a guest and then never tells him or her where to go, when to go, what time to be there, what's the topic going to be etc etc? 

It seems David is scared of Goliath in this case.  Or perhaps this was a publicity stunt to get attention by using my popularity.  In any case, I wait here for his email and to break whatever stones he throws at me.  The academic giant Goliath will crush the intellectually inferior atheist.     

Rationally Faithful

If you follow my blog or my twitter you will see that many engage me in discussions and debates.  In order to facilitate this I decided to create a new blog entitled "Rationally Faithful" which will allow for debates and discussions to continue more at length and in a more organized manner.

Follow the twitter for the blog @RationallyFaith

I hope you will visit and engage me in a debate or discussion.  We all seek the same thing and that is TRUTH.    

Comment Response @atlanticcanuck

A tweeter by the handle @atlanticcanuck recently commented on my blog post as "anonymous"  (http://sacerdotvs.blogspot.com/2012/07/ban-ignorant-atheists.html)  and also on twitter demanding that I reply to her comment.  

The tweeter even posted her demand on another blog:  (http://concernedfortheplanet.blogspot.com/2012/07/theists-will-stop-at-nothing.html?showComment=1343800888797#c1008712566611161707). 

Well here is my response.  My comments are in black and @atlanticcanuck's are in blue:  

<<The following is my response to a ridiculous blog I read. It was written by a theist, who, like they all seem to like to do, insults atheists with ludicrous lies. This is the crazy talk -> http://sacerdotvs.blogspot.ca/2012/07/ban-ignorant-atheists.html>>

Sacerdotus replies:

The comment brushes aside the blog post, but does not address its points.  This comment is obviously made out of spite.  The intention of my blog post is to alert everyone of the behavior of Atheists and why they are being suspended in large numbers on Twitter.    

<<The following is my response that the coward refuses to post:>>

Sacerdotus replies:

I never understood the need for so called Atheists to resort to dishonesty.  A glance at my blog and one will see the comment.  I only post comments that are free of profanity and to the point.  Ironically I am labeled a coward by someone who posted on my blog as "anonymous."  

<<I have never seen a blog post more fallacious in my entire life. >>

Sacerdotus replies:

I have, and many have been from Atheist bloggers. J  Just saying… 

<<First and foremost, it is the theists who are the bullies, the name callers and haters. They consistently take great pleasure in stating that we, and many others, will spend an eternity in a nonexistent "hell" - burning while they look on laughing at the suffering of others. What kind of person takes pleasure in the suffering of others? Even though hell is hogwash, they believe it's real and relish in such despicable fantasies. >>

Sacerdotus replies:

I can only speak for my Catholic Faith and can assure you that no one hates anyone.  Perhaps you speak of your experiences with fundamentalist Protestants who often are so overzealous in their beliefs that they condemn everyone else.  Catholics are also targets of these sects, so I can understand your frustration.  

The Catholic Church does not condemn anyone to hell.  As a matter of fact, the Church has never said anyone is in hell!   Hell is not something we have to focus on.  Our focus is on God and spreading His love to the world.  The Catholic Church teaches that anyone who is not of the fold can achieve salvation. 

{  ("Outside the Church there is no salvation"

846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?³³⁵ Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.³³⁶

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.³³⁷

848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."³³⁸)}

No Catholic, no priest, no bishop can say who will go to hell and who will not.  That is God’s job.  He is the judge!  Moreover, hell is not a place.  It is the state of the soul when separated from God’s grace. 

<<Theists hate atheists, anyone in the LGBT community, women, people of colour and, basically, anyone who is not a white, misogynistic, bigoted male.>>

Sacerdotus replies:

Again, I think you are venting about fundamentalist sects.  The Catholic Church hates no one.  We hate the sin, not the sinners.  The Catholic Church ministers to all: LGBT, Women, minorities, etc.  The Catholic Church is the most diverse institution ever to exist. 

 <<They think they have a right to shove their nonsensical archaic superstitious beliefs down the throats of rational "thinking" human beings. Theist DEMAND we respect their beliefs that are no more plausible than the belief in leprechauns. Their beliefs are based on 2000+ year old myths. These tales came from people who thought epilepsy was the manifestation of demons. Respect? Really?>>

Sacerdotus replies:

These are all claims based on ignorance of history and religion.   Ideas regarding Leprechauns, fairies and the like have a human origin.  God does not.  No one sat near a tree and said, “Let’s invent God.”  God is a concept that man has always had within his being.  Moreover, Geneticists have found the VMAT gene which predisposes all of us to belief in God and the supernatural. 

 <<The catholic church has spent centuries covering-up crimes and protecting pedophiles while hundreds of innocent children were tortured, raped and repeatedly victimized by the TRULY deviant in our society.>>

Sacerdotus replies:

The Catholic Church did not cover up a thing.  Some within the Church made decisions based on the knowledge available at the time which were obviously foolish.  Victims of sex abuse were not abandoned by the Church.  Those who asked received money for their pain and suffering after allegations were found to be credible.  

Moreover, child sex abuse occurs more among families than among clergy.  To date, the Catholic Church is the ONLY institution that has done a lot to remedy this and prevent it from happening again. 

 <<YOU, sir, ought to be ashamed! I'll start respecting magical foolishness when pigs can fly!>>

Sacerdotus replies: 

....ashamed of telling the truth that Atheists should learn how to behave when debating?  Really?!? 

Well the Evolution of pigs might force you to believe in “magical foolishness.” J 


<<And, FYI, Matthew Chatterton has more kindness, compassion, empathy and intelligence in his pinky than you appear to have in your entire being.>>

Sacerdotus replies:

My blog was not a reflection on Matthew’s character but on his irresponsible blog post which ignores the reality behind the suspension of unruly Atheist tweeters. 

Ban the Ignorant Atheists

For the past few months, Atheists on Twitter have been dropping like flies.  In an act of desperation, the #AtheistRollcall trend was created to voice support for the #atheism trend and its tweeters.

A Tweeter on the blog (http://957chatterton.blogspot.com/p/suspended-twitter-atheists.html)  writes his frustration regarding Twitter's action of suspending Atheists.  He whines about this course of action but refuses to accept that suspension results from the actions of these Atheist tweeters, not censorship.

I posted on his blog and he deleted my comment for obvious reasons.  I wrote that Atheists get suspended not for their beliefs, but for their ignorance, hate and overall immature behavior.

I understand debates and discussions can bring about great passion and emotion; however, there is no need to bully, put down, harass, stalk, or mock those who believe in God just because you don't.


There is no reason to be condescending and disrespectful by calling someone a moron, idiot, retard, backward; or by attacking beliefs in an immature manner.

One can present reasons for not believing in a calm intelligible and polite manner.  This is where Atheists fail greatly.  They claim to be intelligent and rational, but intelligence and rationality cannot co exist with immaturity.

Atheists on twitter roam around harassing believers and bullying them to the extent that it can be criminal.  In this time, where so many anti-bullying campaigns are surfacing in order to prevent the aforementioned, it is absurd to think that these so-call rationalists contribute to the bullying epidemic.

Twitter has every right to suspend any account that is breaking its rules, harassing others, bullying others and spreading around ignorance, hate, anger, and profanity.

If you are an Atheist reading this and you harass believers, mock them, curse at them, bully them, invite others to bully them, spread around ignorance and hate, what do you expect Twitter will do?

• I invite everyone to report Atheists who cannot keep their composure and online etiquette in check.  
• Report Atheists who only seek to bait and insult.  
• Report Atheists who only seek to offend, bully and mock believers.  
• Report Atheists who spread falsehoods and ignorance that promote bigotry.  
• Get them suspended. They are providing nothing but hate and ignorance to the discussion. 

Here are some encounters I've had: