Logical fallacies are mistakes in reasoning. They’re arguments that seem convincing at first, but break down when examined more closely.

They often sound persuasive because they appeal to emotion, assumptions, or shortcuts in thinking, rather than actual evidence or logic.

Understanding logical fallacies matters because:

When you can identify fallacies, you become better at separating what sounds true from what is actually true.

In conversations about faith, worldview, or morality—where beliefs shape life decisions—this clarity becomes especially valuable…

Especially in today’s world with social media.. they’re EVERYWHERE!

So, in part of me wanting to study them more and get familiar with them, as well as wanting to equip you to be better prepared… I’ve allocated a list of common logical fallacies and examples of them when compared to Christianity!

No one is going to be perfect, and we all have our own bias… And we even as Christians do these same things as well — so it’s important to be aware of it not only so that we don’t commit these, but rather, knowing the arguments and being able to explain Christianity WITHOUT falling into these.

They lead to more fruitful conversations in my experience.

So, don’t be fooled! (Or do the fooling!)

Misrepresenting someone’s belief so it’s easier to attack.

Example:
Christian: Christ died for sins so people can be forgiven.
Reply: So Christianity teaches you can do whatever you want and get away with it?

As you can see, clearly the Christian position doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want and get away with it. You can make an opponent’s argument weaker or misrepresent it so you can make it easier to attack.

Using the conclusion as part of the proof.

Example:
The Bible is true because God wrote it, and we know God wrote it because the Bible says so.

The Bible cannot be true by virtue of it saying it is, the same way the Quran cannot be true because the Quran says so.

Attacking the person instead of the argument.

Example:
You only believe in Christianity because you grew up in church.

This doesn’t address truth claims about Christianity, rather, a personal, anecdotal experience of growing up in church. Someone saying the above has no bearing on whether or not Christianity is true or not.

Using feelings rather than reasoning.

Example:
If Christianity isn’t true, then life has no meaning—so Christianity must be true.

There is a since that if Christianity isn’t true, life has no meaning. I’d also go and say that with there being no God, life has no ultimate meaning. This is getting at the fact that there “could” be a God that doesn’t happen to the be Christian God where someone somehow could derive meaning, however, the evidence doesn’t suggest that!

Presenting only two choices when more exist.

Example:
Either Christianity is true exactly the way I interpret it… or all religion is false.

No explanation needed.

Rejecting something based on its origin rather than its merit.

Example:
Christianity came from ancient cultures—ancient cultures believed crazy things—therefore Christianity is false.

No explanation needed.

Assuming something is true because many believe it.

Example:
Billions of people believe in Christianity… it must be true.

The same way there are many Muslims, or Hindus… Doesn’t mean Islam or Hinduism is true.

When the authority is not actually relevant to the conclusion.

Example:
Christianity must be true because my favorite celebrity became a Christian.

Authority ≠ evidence. Even though it’s convincing because it’s coming from someone who has “expertise” or “authority” doesn’t mean it’s true. The evidence must still be examined!

Redefining a group to exclude counterexamples.

Example:
Christian: Christians don't sin like that.
Reply: What about that Christian leader who did?
Christian: Well they weren’t a true Christian.

Because the original claim was universal and when proven wrong, the person didn’t refine the claim; they simply excluded the evidence.

It’s like moving the goalposts.

Claiming a small step leads inevitably to disaster.

Example:
If you question one verse, soon you’ll reject the entire Bible and become an atheist.

No explanation needed.

Drawing a universal rule from too few cases.

Example:
That Christian politician was corrupt, so Christianity is corrupt.

No explanation needed.

Distracting from the issue.

Example:
Is Christianity historically true?
Reply: Well Christians do a lot of charity work!

Not related to historical truth. Is Islam true? “Well, Muslims give to the poor!” Doesn’t mean Islam is true.

Assuming something is true because it hasn’t been disproven.

Example:
Nobody can prove Jesus didn’t rise from the dead… so He must have.

Or atheists arguing the opposite.

Switching meanings of a word mid-argument.

Example:
Faith means believing without evidence. The Bible says Christians should live by faith. Therefore Christianity encourages blind belief.

In Christianity, faith ≠ blind belief.
It means trust in something (or Someone) believed to be true.

Maybe you recognize some of these, or even maybe you recognize that you do them to! (Either willingly, or unwillingly), but they’re always helpful to be aware of when you talk to Christians and non-Christians alike.

Hope this was helpful!

Which logical fallacies do you notice? Or which ones have you notices you seem to fall into from time to time?

Let me know, reply to this email!

—Nils