Most, but not all, atheists fall into two camps:
A lot of atheists assume that theirs is the intellectually superior and correct position, ergo since that is their opinion and not yours, they are more intelligent than you are. So, you're not arguing against reason and logic, you're dealing with someone who has announced, and actually believes in, his/her intellectual superiority. You will not win this argument because to do so you have to convince the person that they aren't smart - always a losing battle. Note it really has nothing to do with the actual topic at hand.
The other argument is that you can't "prove" the existence of God (and thus Christianity) using formal logic and empirical evidence, which is true. But they almost always take it too far by implying, or even directly stating, that these are the only tools that can be used in answering the big question, "Does God exist?" The question is as large and complex as "Do you love me?" the answer to which also evades the simple tools of formal logic and empirical evidence. The answer to those questions requires a larger toolset, and faith. Yup, as they fairly accuse us, it comes down to faith, belief and trust. The paradox these people live with is they are probably convinced some people love them (and they may be correct), but it doesn't seem to occur to them they are assuming that on faith, and faith alone. If they choose to belittle faith, belief and trust, then, again, it is not worth arguing the topic with such a person. "Denial ain't just a river in Egypt."
The remaining minority will admit they are in the same ontological boat everyone else is; however, their conclusion is that there is no God, or at least no evidence for one (or many). Yet, they do not claim superior intellectual prowess due to their conclusion, nor do they discredit the use of additional means to arrive at a conclusion. It's refreshing and fun to bump into these kinds of atheists, because they aren't intellectual bullies, and they have a higher regard for the truth than those described above.
Oh, and if the words "Santa Claus," "Easter Bunny," "fairy" or "monster" appear anywhere in an atheist's retort, the argument is over as well. In one fell swoop they've not only presented themselves as a sniggering bully who likes to make fun of the kid with the funny walk, they've jettisoned any legitimate claim to the "superior intellect" prize as well. Pity, and not time wasted in argument, is all they deserve. (And forgiveness, of course.)
© Copyright 2004 by Timothy Troy Hanson