Neo Deist
Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.
Atheists tend to attack a religious person's reasons for their belief in God. Most of those attacks are directed at a holy text (Bible, scroll, etc.), tenets, dogma or traditions. They will use modern science against ancient philosophies that are easily debunked. They will point out fallacies, contradictions and ideas that are just ridiculous and irrational. Deists, for the most part, agree with atheists on those issues.
Deists typically do not believe in the supernatural, miracles or divine revelation/inspiration. We do not believe in Satan as the devil, torment in Hell, demons or divine wrath. We tend to reject holy texts that are obviously man made, and understand that this is the 21st century, not 1 CE (much less 2500 BCE). We accept modern science, medicine, and laugh at silly religious claims such as the Young Earth Theory.
But...we choose to believe in God despite our similarities with atheists. So if we reject all of those typical religious talking points, how is it that we still believe in God? Because we choose to, based on our personal observations in nature and the cosmos, our feelings about life, and our experiences. So what does that mean for the atheist that is trying to debate a deist? They have no ammo to debate with!
Many atheists that have had an intelligent conversation with a deist, will tell you that deism is the only religious view that they truly respect. They know that attacking a person's personal feelings and observations is a losing battle. There is no ground for them to stand on if they try. They have nothing to refute or to use against the deist. Even prominent, outspoken atheists such as Hitchens and Dawkins have stated that deism is the only rational religious view, and that they don't debate with deists!
So if you find yourself in a debate with an atheist, stick to your personal observations, feelings, and experiences and you will quickly disarm them. Many won't even attempt to debate with you against your belief in God because they know they will lose that battle. There is a reason why we have been called "smug."
Deists typically do not believe in the supernatural, miracles or divine revelation/inspiration. We do not believe in Satan as the devil, torment in Hell, demons or divine wrath. We tend to reject holy texts that are obviously man made, and understand that this is the 21st century, not 1 CE (much less 2500 BCE). We accept modern science, medicine, and laugh at silly religious claims such as the Young Earth Theory.
But...we choose to believe in God despite our similarities with atheists. So if we reject all of those typical religious talking points, how is it that we still believe in God? Because we choose to, based on our personal observations in nature and the cosmos, our feelings about life, and our experiences. So what does that mean for the atheist that is trying to debate a deist? They have no ammo to debate with!
Many atheists that have had an intelligent conversation with a deist, will tell you that deism is the only religious view that they truly respect. They know that attacking a person's personal feelings and observations is a losing battle. There is no ground for them to stand on if they try. They have nothing to refute or to use against the deist. Even prominent, outspoken atheists such as Hitchens and Dawkins have stated that deism is the only rational religious view, and that they don't debate with deists!
So if you find yourself in a debate with an atheist, stick to your personal observations, feelings, and experiences and you will quickly disarm them. Many won't even attempt to debate with you against your belief in God because they know they will lose that battle. There is a reason why we have been called "smug."
