What About Religious Martyrs? (Atheist Book Response, Part 16)

Think Well

Does the fact that so many people have died for God or their religion mean it is true? Atheist Armin Navabi writes, "Holy wars have been fought between different factions of believers, martyrs have willingly given up their lives for their religious beliefs, people have been sacrificed to appease angry gods and victims have been tortured and killed in the name of religion." However, he concludes, "This history says more about the violent and harmful aspects of human nature than it does about the existence of God." If this is true, then why do people look at martyrs as evidence for their religious beliefs? We will continue to evaluate Armin's objections and look at how Christians and atheists can have better conversations about the evidence for Christianity. I will be taking your questions and calls, so bring your questions!