Pointless Debate

[Desert Snake]

Its the context not the title. Read post and reply 110,113,114.

A theist would not seriously talk as if it Is true that God does not exist. Likewise, I would assume an atheist who Knows God does not exist will not talk as if He seriously does exist.

If they do, what is the logic behind conversating about nothing? A thiest may give good logical reason why he finds it silly to talk as if God seriously does not exist.

I ask the same of athiest who knows God doesnt exist. Just opposite.

Right. That would be an excercise in confirmation bias. We all do that to an extent, I believe. I know that I do.

 

[Desert Snake]

Gosh dont take it so personal. We all hsve differe t reasons to talk about God. IN ITSELF what does the conversation serve foe an atheist who KNOWS God does not exist?

I am going to agree with this. I would not waste to much thinking about something that I had ruled out completely; there are religious ideas that no amount of discussion is going to convince me of, I'm not going to be discussing those, generally.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

This doesn't make sense, which leads me to believe that it just hasn't been phrased well. If anyone does anything, there is a reason.

Its not phrased right. Read reply 114 and posts. Best i can explain it.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

We are dealing with personal perspectives. Now, if someone, who is not a liar, and reliable, told me something that I had previously not 'believed', I would consider it as something in the realm of a possible occurrence. To not do so, is not logical.

True. Assuming he is reliable. I understand where you coming from. In this case, you (in analogy) would already know what he says is false. So wouldnt it be illogical to seriously assume validity over something completely false? (Does that make sense?)

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I am going to agree with this. I would not waste to much thinking about something that I had ruled out completely; there are religious ideas that no amount of discussion is going to convince me of, I'm not going to be discussing those, generally.

You'd think Ive learned that by now.

 

[Bunyip]

I dont understand how that relates

Well in that a story can teach valuable moral lessons whether it is about real characters or not. The power of a parable is not dependant upon it's historical accuracy.

 

[Bunyip]

You know, I really haven't contributed much to this thread, Carlita, but I just wanted to let you know that every word you've said makes perfect sense to me. I don't personally believe the tooth fairy exists. As a matter of fact, I would go so far as to say that I know she doesn't. I cannot conceive of why I would have any interest at all in debating her appearance, her origins or her magical powers with anyone.

What if your church believed that this tooth fairy had instructed followers to circumcise your children, would you want to discuss it then?

 

[Katzpur]

What if your church believed that this tooth fairy had instructed followers to circumcise your children, would you want to discuss it then?

It would seem pointless to me to discuss what a non-existent entity wanted. On the other hand, I would most certainly defend my own children if the tooth fairy's followers attempted to do anything to them. In that case, I'd be dealing with a bunch of nutjobs, and I'd treat them as such. I'd be more concerned about what they were going to do to my children than what they believed about the tooth fairy.

 

[Bunyip]

It would seem pointless to me to discuss the tooth fairy with anybody since I don't believe there is such a thing. On the other hand, I would most certainly defend my own children if the tooth fairy's followers attempted to do anything to them. In that case, I'd be dealing with a bunch of nutjobs, and I'd treat them as such. I'd be more concerned about what they were going to do to my children than what they believed about the tooth fairy.

Just say your government believed it was established under a belief in the tooth fairy, and that according to tooth fairyism your daughters must be circumcised. And your wages tithed. You are also obliged to pray to said tooth fairy four times a day. Would you think it worth discussing the tooth fairy then?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Well in that a story can teach valuable moral lessons whether it is about real characters or not. The power of a parable is not dependant upon it's historical accuracy.

True. I directed posters to 114 and to read posts and replies. I cant explain it better.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Just say your government believed it was established under a belief in the tooth fairy, and that according to tooth fairyism your daughters must be circumcised. And your wages tithed. You are also obliged to pray to said tooth fairy four times a day. Would you think it worth discussing the tooth fairy then?

Pardon. Question, though. Do you talking about the tooth fairy will change the "problems" that truth fairy followers are causing? In RF conversations, are strong atheist goal is to convinence believers they are wrong...and will that solve anything or make it worse?

 

[Katzpur]

Just say your government believed it was established under a belief in the tooth fairy, and that according to tooth fairyism your daughters must be circumcised. And your wages tithed. You are also obliged to pray to said tooth fairy four times a day. Would you think it worth discussing the tooth fairy then?

I'm sorry, but I'm apparently just not getting the analogy. Is it this kind of behavior you believe we theists are guilty of?

My original answer stands. I would fight against anyone who would attempt to take away my freedoms or force me to go against my own values and conscience. But I could definitely do that without bringing the tooth fairy into the picture.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

You know, I really haven't contributed much to this thread, Carlita, but I just wanted to let you know that every word you've said makes perfect sense to me. I don't personally believe the tooth fairy exists. As a matter of fact, I would go so far as to say that I know she doesn't. I cannot conceive of why I would have any interest at all in debating her appearance, her origins or her magical powers with anyone.

Thank you. At least you understand where Im coming from. This thread has grown in a day and I think five out all people get what Im saying even if they disagreed.

 

[Bunyip]

I'm sorry, but I'm apparently just not getting the analogy.

Oh you get the analogy - you just refuse to engage with it.

Is it this kind of behavior you believe we theists are guilty of?

It is exactly identical to established practices of major religions and you know it.

My original answer stands. I would fight against anyone who would attempt to take away my freedoms or force me to go against my own values and conscience. But I could definitely do that without bringing the tooth fairy into the picture.

Not if you wanted anybody to understand what the hell you were fighting against.[/QUOTE]

 

[Bunyip]

Pardon. Question, though. Do you talking about the tooth fairy will change the "problems" that truth fairy followers are causing? In RF conversations, are strong atheist goal is to convinence believers they are wrong...and will that solve anything or make it worse?

What makes you think that is the goal of anyone?

 

[Katzpur]

Oh you get the analogy - you just refuse to engage with it.

I'm not sure why you think that. I'm a pretty reasonable person.

It is exactly identical to established practices of major religions and you know it.

Well, if you're talking about certain Islamic states, I'd say your analogy is a decent one, but if you're suggesting that American Christians are trying to physically harm your children, take 10% of your income to support their churches or pray to anybody at all, I completely disagree.

Not if you wanted anybody to understand what the hell you were fighting against.

Well, I'm truly sorry you see theists as the enemy. I don't know what to say other than that I don't think most of us are quite as villainous as you believe us to be.

 

[Bunyip]

I'm not sure why you think that. I'm a pretty reasonable person.

Because it is a simple and clear analogy, of course you get it. You are just being obtuse.

Well, if you're talking about certain Islamic states, I'd say your analogy is a decent one, but if you're suggesting that American Christians are trying to physically harm your children, take 10% of your income to support their churches or pray to anybody at all, I completely disagree.

It's an ANALOGY, not a comment about America.

Well, I'm truly sorry you see theists as the enemy.

I don't. It was an ANALOGY.

I don't know what to say other than that I don't think most of us are quite as villainous as you believe us to be.

I don't beleive that. It was an ANALOGY. You do know what that means right?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

What makes you think that is the goal of anyone?

If atheist convince theist they are wrong and theist changed, maybe all the murder based on thiest religions would stop. Without it being negative, why would it not be a goal for an atheist who wants to prevent theists from restraining others freedom, murder, etc?

Sounds like it "could" be a good cause if the goal is to help others out. Depends on the atheist.
-edit-
"I don't believe that. It was an ANALOGY. You do know what that means right?"

Why use an analogy that isnt based on some truth?

 

[Katzpur]

Because it is a simple and clear analogy, of course you get it. You are just being obtuse. It's an ANALOGY, not a comment about America. I don't. It was an ANALOGY. I don't beleive that. It was an ANALOGY. You do know what that means right?

Calm down. If you think I'm just being obtuse and if you don't believe I'm being honest with you, I suggest you just ignore me in the future. Life's too short to let someone get under your skin over something like this. I've really said everything I have to say anyway. So throw in one final insult and declare yourself to be the winner.

 

[Bunyip]

Calm down.

I'm perfectly calm. Did you imagine you had some sort of psychic ability to read my emotional state via text?

If you think I'm just being obtuse and if you don't believe I'm being honest with you, I suggest you just ignore me in the future.

Yes, I have come to that conclusion.

Life's too short to let someone get under your skin over something like this. I've really said everything I have to say anyway. So throw in one final insult and declare yourself to be the winner.

Have lovely day.