Do Theists want to debate or preach?

Not been on this forum long, but I have noticed that many theists do not appear to want to debate but simply preach.

When faced with difficult questions many either ignore, deflect, move the goal posts or insult.

Edit, I forgot the most annoying one, telling an atheist what he thinks and then arguing against that rather than what the atheist tells them

This makes me wonder what are their motives for joining in the debate is it just to preach and when faced with a different opinion just kill it anyway they can?

Is this really the best way to defend your god?

Thoughts?

 

That isn't a theist thing, it's a human thing. There are idiots, trolls and jokers on all sides of all debates.

 

Maybe you are correct, I have to admit that most of the time I have to reply with the answer "I do not know" maybe I was expecting too much?

 

Atheist bashing and science denial seems to be common only among extremist theists.

Unfortunately they are the most vociferous but they do have a right to spout their fallacies.

 

Certainly I would always support free speech, I just question why they do not defend their ideas better.

 

Hard to defend superstitions in a world that has adopted the Scientific Method as a means to determine fact from fiction.

The Dover, PA case where both sides had to present the evidence for their positions to a Federal judge appointed by Bush sr has become a landmark decision. All of the creationism drivel was effectively debunked and perhaps the supreme irony was the evidence that "intelligent design" evolved from creationism.

Theists took their best shot and came up short because the law of the land is based upon reality.

 

Well the creationist stuff is not worth bothering with in my opinion, but there are all sorts of religious ideas out there which I think are interesting. A non personal god that just created the universe and left is an example.

 

The Cyclical Model of the Universe embraced by Roger Penrose supports the concept of an eternal universe that has always existed and will always exist in one form or another. It makes far more sense that the magical "creation" superstition about the universe.

 

Not easy to debate when your main source of 'ammunition' comes from childish fairy tales...

 

Penrose is excellent in his debate with Craig who is clearly out of his depth!

 

You have described most every liberal poster on this forum... This is a prime example of transference...

 

I have a theory. Lets test it out.

Please pose one of these 'difficult questions.'

 

What has politics got to do with it and why do you think I am a liberal?
You would need to explain what you mean by liberal, it is very different to the uk I suspect.

 

He is biased against liberals. He isn't one of those people who can accept that people from ALL walks of life ignore, deflect, move the goal posts or insult. He only believes that is done by liberals.

 

Ok here are a couple,

So your saying the bible is in error and the correct value is in the margin?

Response "pearls before swine" .. bye Ron, I pray you have an awakening

So here we have a simple deflection or nothing response.

Atheist simply lack a position on gods, there are those who think the evidence suggests the universe came from nothing and others who do not, many just say, "I do not know"

Science does not confirm the Bible, sorry that is just a fact, stick with faith.

Response No sir. That would be YOUR OPINION.

And here a response to the easy part of the post nothing to say about the difficult bit that not all atheists believe the universe come from nothing.

 

For the purpose of full disclosure - I am a believer. I no longer practice any organized religion, but I find I am happier and feel better with a belief in God. I am well aware that it is pretty much indefensible against science - but I choose to believe anyway. I don't thump it - I don't preach - and I certainly don't expect anyone to believe as I do. And I loathe it being used to support a political policy or agenda. It is a personal thing.

What I don't understand is why you want to debate it. Challenging the beliefs of others (unless they are making it part of political policy) is challenging the very core of who they are. Do you honestly believe that you will sway anyone? That you will win anything?

I mean no offense - just not understanding the purpose of a theist and atheist debating.

 

Ah. It appears you're debating with 'Bible Literalists'. FTR that wasn't my theory... but that would result in what you're experiencing

You may find some comfort in knowing they are a minority among Christians. Most of us take at least some of The Bible as metaphor.

 

Great post. I am an atheist and have no issue if people want to believe in god, except when someone tries to preach about their belief to me. Then and only then will I challenge their beliefs. For someone like you, who doesn't thump it or preach it, I say kudos and if believing in a god makes you happier then rock on.

 

Yes a great post. I like talking about religion it covers so many subjects and frankly I do not think there is much I can add to debates on american politics. However I am not firm on my beliefs and open to interesting ideas, if you like its a hobby!

 

I, too, engage in discussions about religion. But only if the other person has a curious mind. I can't tell you the number of times I have been told by an atheist, "I thought you were more intelligent than that!" I should also say that I have gotten into some mighty heavy debates with devout believers who use the bible to judge others.

 

Thanks, I did write that I was not accusing everyone, but the literalists are very prevalent.

 

I wonder if you wouldn't mind expanding on your religion a bit is it like a deist god you believe in?

 

yes and experience has proven that they are the ones that least understand their religions respectively.

 

Speaking for myself alone I only get involved in order to debunk theist falsehoods about atheism and science. I have no interest or concern about what theists believe and I uphold their right to their beliefs. However there are some theists who go out of their way to abuse both atheism and science for nefarious purposes. If it wasn't for those attacks I would probably not bother to involve myself at all.

 

I was raised Catholic. Although no longer 'practicing', I still believe in the notion of a loving God. A Fatherly God. It comforts me. Is it sensible? Likely not. But again, if it is comforting for me, I see no harm.