Is metaphysical naturalism (atheism) self-defeating?
“Metaphysical naturalism” is a contradiction in terms. Naturalism is the belief that all causes are non-metaphysical in origin. Contrast with supernaturalism, which is the belief that at least some causes are metaphysical in origin. Naturalism is, based on all evidence, consistent with physical reality. Supernaturalism is not. God is a supernatural, metaphysical concept. Disbelief in god is not. Disbelief in god is not a metaphysical belief any more than NOT collecting stamps is a hobby. In short, you’re a shill trying to push creationism. That means you’re American, white, middle class, and a Christian fundamentalist. It also means that you are misrepresenting your identity (“Dr. William Lane Craig”) on the assumption that people will believe whatever someone says if they identify as a doctor.
Atheism is not “precisely a theory of this sort.” Atheism can be based on many different theories. One is that yes, there once was a God, but he very clearly said on the mountain “I am only speaking to those of you who are on the mountain” and therefore, his offer of an afterlife does not apply to anyone who exists today. Another Atheistic theory is that there was a God but he is gone now. It could be considered an Atheistic theory to say that there is a God but he and I are not friends. These theories allow for a difference between Atheism and evolutionism and naturalism.
YES! Very much so, Naturalism is Western Humanistic thinking in the first stage and has to use circular logic in order to offer support. This of course cannot come to a solid conclusion when thought out with logic and reason: http://thinkingchristianly.
