Atheist trying to convert Theist!

[Gloone]

No, just they aim for honesty and accuracy. Nothing negative about that, although I'm sure many don't appreciate being dragged from the comfortable womb of willful and blissful ignorance, even though it's not done out of malice, but rather for people's own good.

For the record, I have nothing against belief in god in and of itself. It's how people portray god and the things that they attribute to god (religion) that I take issue with.

You have a problem. I am not trying to nitpick my way around this, but do think that is fueled by hate or just intellectual honesty.

 

[Father Heathen]

People cannot rely on their brain for everything. That is about the dumbest thing I have ever herd.

I should put this quote in my signature.

 

[Gloone]

I don't like that either. I also don't like it when theists do this. Especially when they say things like "Waste of time trying to reason with any of you" (post 68) or "That is about the dumbest thing I have ever herd" (post 40).

You have to remember though, as an atheist you are stepping into territory that doesn't belong to you.

 

[Gloone]

I should put this quote in my signature.

just make sure you put the other part of the quote in it as well and don't sell me short.

 

[Dan4reason]

You have to remember though, as an atheist you are stepping into territory that doesn't belong to you.

What do you mean by that?

 

[Gloone]

What do you mean by that?

Just forget it. I am blowing smoke at this point and it has absolutely nothing to do with anything or anyone. :cigar:
Just my own obscure reasoning that will never be reasoned with by anyone other than myself. And you wonder why people are theist. :biglaugh:

 

[Penumbra]

Theist are limited to positivism and atheist just try to discredit everything.

Maybe that's because atheists, or at least the ones that frequent this forum and ones like it, are less likely to promote a positive claim that they cannot defend than theists. It's often part of the package, though not necessarily.

When a person has a worldview where they assert a huge and unverified positive claim, they're setting their self up for "attack" (hopefully just polite discrediting, but also the possibility of ridicule). If, instead, a person is careful to stick to making claims that can be verified, and is willing to change based on new evidence, and considers things not verified as a hypothesis for the sake of discussion rather than truths, then they will likely not be discredited because there is little to discredit.

There are times when I put myself out there with a positive claim on a moral issue or on some specific thing. It could be as a strong moral stance or a hypothesis about a more philosophical issue that I want to see tossed around. But I back it up with reason and/or evidence (depending on the context). Even if a person brings up a point I wasn't expecting, I don't get all emotional about it. I let the discussion go where it goes, and hopefully in the direction of truth.

 

[Gloone]

Thread update: I changed my original post I have learned atheist can be decent people.

 

[Penumbra]

Thread update: I changed my original post I have learned atheist can be decent people.

:dan:

 

[Gloone]

Maybe that's because atheists, or at least the ones that frequent this forum and ones like it, are less likely to promote a positive claim that they cannot defend than theists. It's often part of the package, though not necessarily.

When a person has a worldview where they assert a huge and unverified positive claim, they're setting their self up for "attack" (hopefully just polite discrediting, but also the possibility of ridicule). If, instead, a person is careful to stick to making claims that can be verified, and is willing to change based on new evidence, and considers things not verified as a hypothesis for the sake of discussion rather than truths, then they will likely not be discredited because there is little to discredit.

There are times when I put myself out there with a positive claim on a moral issue or on some specific thing. It could be as a strong moral stance or a hypothesis about a more philosophical issue that I want to see tossed around. But I back it up with reason and/or evidence (depending on the context). Even if a person brings up a point I wasn't expecting, I don't get all emotional about it. I let the discussion go where it goes, and hopefully in the direction of truth.

Emotional might mean something different from how I first presented it. Some people have no control over their emotions and others do.
Some people let their emotions speak through their actions and words while others let their emotions resonate with reasoning and understanding.

 

[The_Evelyonian]

Thread update: I changed my original post I have learned atheist can be decent people.

:clap2:

 

[Father Heathen]

Thread update: I changed my original post I have learned atheist can be decent people.

*Hides the baby sandwich behind his back.*

 

[Tathagata]

I have noticed lately that a lot of the atheist on this forum board try to convert theist over to atheism.

I come here to debate, not convert. And no, the purpose of debate is not to "convert," it's to challenge ideas, get people thinking, and make your own views be known and challenged. I actually would be disappointed if I succeeded in converting someone to my views.

Usually it is the other way around and atheist are accusing the theist of converting the atheist into believing something

Atheists are "accusing" Theists of converting "Atheists"?? I don't think Atheists would ever look down upon a Theist constructing a convincing and argument that actually convinces an Atheist to convert. Myself, I would probably be impressed by their ability to make convincing arguments.

What Atheists do have a problem with is the actual doctrines of Theism, NOT act of persuasion by Theists. Why would they oppose persuasion unless what they're being persuaded of is repulsive? So, it's the doctrines that Atheists oppose, not persuasive arguments.

- So my question to atheist is why do you insist on converting good religious people over with your demonic style tactics?

Atheists want to challenge the beliefs of people whom they think believe in absurdities. It's quite frustrating when someone simultaneously believes something absurd and think that they are absolutely right. Atheists want to challenge those beliefs and get that person to seriously reexamine them to reveal why the beliefs are wrong and/or absurd.

Edit: Never mind anything from this OP. I have learned through this thread that atheist are free loving spirits despite the circumstances. They want what is best for all of us.

How is this at all relevant and why does it change your mind concerning the OP? Who cares whether Atheists are "free loving spirits" or heartless b@stards? That has nothing to do with the OP's dilemma over the merits of trying to convert others to Atheism. So basically, you will concede your arguments simply if your opponent is nice?

"I oppose the merits of Atheists trying to convert the religious."
"But we Atheists are nice people!"
"Oh, ok then. You're right, it's ok to do what you're doing."


.

 

[Gloone]

You are right Tathagata and the above is totally reasonable. You are also right, it doesn't matter if atheist are nice or not because this is a debate forum and people are here to debate.

 

[Renji]

The forum does not aim anyone to be converted into someone else's faith or religious conviction. I guess it depends on the person...

 

[Gloone]

The forum does not aim anyone to be converted into someone else's faith or religious conviction. I guess it depends on the person...

Yeah I am probably being way to kind and generous by saying all atheist are free-loving spirits that want what is best for all of us. I'm sure some can be the polar opposite. That just wait for a theists own demise.

 

[Renji]

Yeah I am probably being way to kind and generous by saying all atheist are free-loving spirits that want what is best for all of us. I'm sure some can be the polar opposite. That just wait for a theists own demise.

If atheists really want the theists to convert, then I'll probably see an atheist knocking on my gate, giving a leaflet and have me listen to their word

 

[Penumbra]

If atheists really want the theists to convert, then I'll probably see an atheist knocking on my gate, giving a leaflet and have me listen to their word

 

[Danmac]

I dont think there trying to convert you.

when one starts stateing beliefs or drawing lines in the sand its easy to refute it.

Using what scientific method?

 

[Renji]

Oh! That's good!:angel2: