Presuppositional Apologetics

Presuppositionalism (commonly known as "presupp") is an apologetic argument and debate tactic used mostly by evangelical, protestant Christians. The general theme of the presuppositional argument is that Biblical Christianity is the only basis for worldview capable of accounting for things like the laws of logic, human reasoning, innate morality, etc (what presuppers call "preconditions for intelligibility"). This "presupposition" is then used to counter any argument brought against any claim made by the presupper by a non-believer, with the demand that the non-believer must "justify their reasoning," which they claim cannot be done without "borrowing" from the presupper's worldview. If that sounds like completely circular question-begging, then congratulations, you would be right HAVE ABANDONED ALL KNOWLEDGE!!!

Presuppositionalism originated with Dutch theologian Cornelius Van Til in the 1930s, and was later refined by his student Greg Bahnsen. However, the form of presupp most often encountered on G+ and within the Great Debate Community was developed by a certain Canadian ultra-troll known as Sye Ten Bruggencate. In the early 2010s, Bruggencate was saved from his dull life as a boiler room mechanic when he was struck by a bolt of noetic lightning and inspired to develop a new method of defending his Christian faith by way of being a complete asshole. Bruggencate refined Bahnsen's presuppositional apologetic from a legitimate (if philosophically unsound) argument, into little more than a rhetorical hammer designed to shut down any and all opposing views, however factual or well-reasoned they might be. Sye Ten teamed up with creationist apologist Kent Hovind's crotch fruit Eric, and began to market his new "apologetic" all over the intertubes and to various Christian churches.

Bruggencate's presupp made quite a splash in the online atheist community around 2013-2014, because it was a rare example of an argument for God which most atheists had never heard before, and (especially for those without philosophical training) didn't know how to respond to. However, it has since been demolished and debunked by numerous people (atheist and Christian alike) both within and outside the GDC, including Matt Dillahunty, Ozymandias Ramses, Karen S, Matthew Steele, Gary Edwards, 13Heathens, Sye Ten Atheist, Cliffjumper24, and virtually every member of the New Covenant Group (where Sye was kicked off the stage during a live show for being a smug asshat). Even though presupp is little more than a colossal joke at this point and not taken seriously by anyone with a functioning brain, a few Christians will still try to dig up its mangled corpse and attempt to use it on unsuspecting atheists. One of the few people who continues to use presupp in discussions (and throws a temper tantrum when it doesn't work) is Darwins Deity.

G Man attempted to use presupp once in an argument, and it ended with approximately the same result as the Hindenburg disaster...proving that G Man doesn't even have the mental capacity and self confidence to deliver an argument that the average 9 year old could probably handle in their sleep.

Common claims and phrases used by presuppers

• "Could you be wrong about everything you claim to know?"
• "It has been revealed to me in a way that I can be certain"
• Everyone knows that God exists (therefore all atheists are either liars or are "suppressing the truth")
• "Borrowing from my worldview"
• "You have abandoned all knowledge"
• "How do you know that?"
• "I know it's true by the impossibility of the contrary"
• "It's either God, or absurdity"
• "Virtuously circular"

How to respond to and shut down anyone attempting to use presupp

[TODO]

Known Presuppositionalists ("presuppers")

• Sye Ten Bruggencate
• Eric Hovind
• Bible Thumping Wingnut
• Matthew419
• Colin Pearson
• Dustin Seegers
• Andrew Rappaport
• Darwins Deity
• Arcane Logos
• Jimmy Stephens
• BroJoSavedByGrace
• Wyatt Mickas 

Sye Ten Atheist on the origins of Presupp (totally, it probably happened like this)

File:The True Origins of Presuppositional Apologetics

480x480px