The 5 Most Explosive Arguments From 'El Circo Del Ateísmo' That Are Shaking Modern Skepticism

The debate between faith and skepticism has never been more intense, and as of December 2025, the epicenter of this intellectual clash in the Spanish-speaking world remains the controversial book *El Circo del Ateísmo* (The Circus of Atheism) by Costa Rican philosopher and apologist Rigoberto Hidalgo. This work is not a mere theological treatise; it is a direct, assertive challenge to the prevailing currents of modern thought, specifically targeting the new wave of atheistic and progressive ideologies that Hidalgo characterizes as a spectacle lacking substance. The book's popularity, fueled by viral debates and critical reviews on major platforms, has solidified its status as a foundational text for Christian apologetics in the current decade. This deep dive explores the man behind the arguments, the fundamental claims of his book, and the high-profile intellectual battles that have cemented *El Circo del Ateísmo*'s place in the ongoing culture war, providing essential context for anyone seeking to understand the current state of theism versus atheism in the digital age.

Rigoberto Hidalgo: Complete Biography and Apologetic Profile

Rigoberto Hidalgo, whose full name is Rigoberto Hidalgo Alpízar, is the principal figure and author associated with the phenomenon of *El Circo del Ateísmo*. He is a prominent voice in contemporary Christian intellectual circles, known for his direct style and sharp, logical approach to defending the Christian faith.

• Full Name: Rigoberto Hidalgo Alpízar
• Nationality: Costa Rican
• Primary Role: Christian Philosopher, Apologist, Author, and Livestream Debater
• Key Expertise: Christian Apologetics, Metaphysics, Logic, Philosophy of Religion, Critique of Progressivism and Relativism.
• Main Platform: His YouTube channel, "Rigoberto Hidalgo - Defensa Urbana," serves as his primary forum for debates, lectures, and philosophical commentary, establishing him as a leading figure in *Defensa Urbana* (Urban Defense) of the faith.
• Key Work: *El Circo del Ateísmo: ¿Cómo defiendo mi fe contra el progresismo, relativismo y todos los "ismo" que no debieron existir* (Volume 1).
• Public Debates: Hidalgo has gained significant notoriety for his highly viewed debates and critiques of prominent Spanish-speaking skeptics and public figures, including the philosopher Diego Ruzzarin, the musician Residente (René Pérez Joglar), the popular YouTuber Dalas Review, and the apologist Guerrero Heredia.
• Stance: Hidalgo is a devout Christian who argues that God exists and Christ is the truth, using philosophical rigor to challenge what he views as the intellectual inconsistencies of modern atheism and cultural progressivism.

The Core Thesis: Why Modern Atheism is a 'Circus'

The provocative title, *El Circo del Ateísmo*, is the central metaphor of Hidalgo's work. It posits that the contemporary movement of atheism, particularly its more vocal and public-facing proponents, often relies on spectacle, emotional appeals, and logical fallacies rather than sound philosophical or scientific reasoning. The book is presented as a courageous defense of faith (*Fe*) with an emphasis on reason, logic (*Lógica*), and truth (*Verdad*). Hidalgo argues that the "circus" is composed of various intellectual acts that distract from the fundamental questions of existence and reality. He specifically targets the "isms" that he believes underpin modern atheistic thought.

Targeted 'Isms' and Intellectual Entities

The book systematically critiques several intellectual currents that Hidalgo views as foundational errors of the modern secular worldview. These critiques form the basis of his topical authority on the subject:

• Progressivism: Hidalgo challenges the moral and historical assumptions of Progressivism, arguing that its rejection of absolute moral truths leads to an unstable and contradictory ethical framework.
• Relativism: The concept of Relativism, particularly moral and epistemic relativism, is dismantled as intellectually self-defeating. Hidalgo insists that without objective truth, all claims, including the claims of atheism, become meaningless.
• New Atheism: While not the sole focus, the book addresses the arguments of the New Atheism movement, contrasting its often-aggressive rhetoric with the classical philosophical tradition of Theism (*Teísmo*).
• Skepticism (*Escepticismo*): He offers arguments designed to confront the doubts of the honest skeptic, providing them with rational reasons to consider the existence of God.

5 Explosive Arguments That Define the Debate

The book's impact stems from its clear and direct articulation of classic philosophical and theological arguments, updated to address modern scientific and cultural objections. These arguments are the ammunition Hidalgo uses in his public debates, such as his high-profile critiques of Diego Ruzzarin and Residente, who he claims misunderstand the core philosophical issues.

1. The Cosmological Argument (Causality): Hidalgo dedicates significant attention to the Argumento Cosmológico (Cosmological Argument), particularly the concept of Causalidad (Causality). He explores the works of physicists like Arvind Borde and philosophers like J.P. Moreland to argue that the universe must have a beginning and, therefore, a First Cause outside of itself, directly challenging the notion that the universe could be eternally self-existent.
2. The Argument from Moral Law: This chapter asserts that the universal human sense of Moralidad (Morality) and justice points to a transcendent, objective Moral Lawgiver. Hidalgo challenges atheistic accounts of ethics, arguing they fail to provide a sufficient foundation for human rights and intrinsic value.
3. The Incoherence of Relativism: Hidalgo argues that the claim "There is no absolute truth" is itself an absolute truth claim, making the entire philosophy of Relativism logically incoherent. This is his primary philosophical weapon against the progressive cultural currents he critiques.
4. Critique of Scientism: The book tackles Scientism, the belief that only what can be proven by the natural sciences is true. Hidalgo, using his background in Filosofía (Philosophy), argues that science itself relies on philosophical assumptions (like the uniformity of nature and the reliability of reason) that cannot be proven by the scientific method alone.
5. The Resurrection of Christ: Moving from pure philosophy to historical evidence, Hidalgo presents the case for the historical reliability of the New Testament and the Resurrection of Christ. This section provides a distinctly Christian, rather than simply deistic, conclusion to his apologetic framework.

The Impact of 'El Circo del Ateísmo' on Digital Culture

The true measure of the book's influence is its viral footprint. *El Circo del Ateísmo* has become a cultural touchstone, generating a massive volume of content across YouTube, podcasts, and social media. The book's arguments are frequently discussed on platforms like Mentalidades Podcast and were a central theme at conservative intellectual events like La Derecha Fest. The public feud between Rigoberto Hidalgo and figures like Diego Ruzzarin—a popular philosopher and cultural commentator—highlighted the divide between the classical, theistic philosophical tradition and the modern, secular, and often postmodern intellectual sphere. Hidalgo's ability to engage in high-stakes, live-streamed debates, often under his YouTube brand Defensa Urbana, has made his work accessible to a new generation of believers and skeptics alike. The book has successfully shifted the conversation from abstract theological concepts to a direct confrontation with the philosophical underpinnings of modern atheism and cultural progressivism. In conclusion, *El Circo del Ateísmo* is more than a book; it is a movement. It has provided a structured and assertive defense of the Christian worldview, challenging the intellectual dominance of secularism and forcing a renewed, public debate on the Existencia de Dios (Existence of God) and the nature of Verdad in the 21st century. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the ongoing intellectual war of ideas.