When you meet new people in your life.

[Spirit of Light]

No, it's not just my personal view.

We're talking about empirical knowledge of the world around us, so "proof" is the wrong standard. Inductive reasoning - the same thing we use to tell us that dinosaurs are extinct, for instance - can yield a very high degree of certainty, but not perfect certainty.

... and I would say that based on the evidence available, inductive reasoning allows us to say with a high degree of certainty that no gods exist. I would argue that the conclusion that gods do not exist is supported to a higher degree than the conclusion that dinosaurs are extinct... or many other conclusions that we all take as unquestionably true for all practical purposes.

... but even if we say that the jury's still out and we don't know either way whether some god exists; religion would still be completely irrational: anyone who can't conclusively say that God definitely exists is in no position to say that God sent some message/prophet/messiah/miracle/whatnot to humanity, or that God wants everyone to go to church (and tithe) once a week, or that a particular person speaks for God, or that Heaven/afterlife/reincarnation/whatever is real, etc.

After reading your reply, my belief in God's exsistence is still as strong as before

 

[syo]

Especially if it is within a religious setting.

Do you find it normal to try to debunk their faith?
Do you find it normal to convince them, they must be wrong due to your own faith/non faith in religion?

Or do you see it as a chance to listen and learn about other peoples faith and belief, because you are genuin interested in them as fellow human beings?

I don't speak religion with other people. Only in this forum I do that.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

After reading your reply, my belief in God's exsistence is still as strong as before

Even though you've told us - or at least alluded that - theists come to their beliefs irrationally?

 

[blü 2]

Especially if it is within a religious setting.

Do you find it normal to try to debunk their faith?

No. I have friends and dear relatives who are believers, and the topic almost never arises and when it does, I answer questions only if pressed and otherwise I nod, smile and listen.

Or do you see it as a chance to listen and learn about other peoples faith and belief, because you are genuin interested in them as fellow human beings?

Only if they want to pursue the question. But I can't remember even the whiff of such a conversation in recent years.

 

[Alien826]

Why fair game?

Should one attack back automatically?

Automatically, no. That would imply a terrible lack of planning.

First I lock all the doors. Then I pretend to listen politely to what they have to say, to lull them into a false sense of security. Then I attack them verbally, using misrepresentation of their views, sarcasm, logical fallacies, and a very loud voice. If that fails to produce agreement with my views, I brandish a baseball bat. Generally that is enough to convince them of how wrong their beliefs are, at which time I allow them to leave. If they escape before that, say through a window, I pursue them down the street waving my baseball bat and shouting obscenities.

I follow up with a polite note saying how much I enjoyed their visit and hoping to see them again soon.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Even though you've told us - or at least alluded that - theists come to their beliefs irrationally?

? My belief comes from study scriptures and beginning practicing it in my daily life.

 

[Ella S.]

I try to avoid talking about religion and politics in real life, because they're controversial topics.

I also can't say that I often find myself in religious settings.

That said, if other people bring the subjects up, I'm going to be honest and I'm not going to hide who I am, although I will usually try to politely change the subject first.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

? My belief comes from study scriptures and beginning practicing it in my daily life.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I've seen you say things to the effect of "theism and atheism are both personal choices" and that they're both valid perspectives.

If atheism is valid, then living as if God definitely exists is invalid. Between these two statements, at most only one can be true:

- God may not exist
- God must exist

 

[Spirit of Light]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I've seen you say things to the effect of "theism and atheism are both personal choices" and that they're both valid perspectives.

If atheism is valid, then living as if God definitely exists is invalid. Between these two statements, at most only one can be true:

- God may not exist
- God must exist

Even if just one is true, people are free to believe in each one of them. I don't tell what others can or can not believe or disbelieve

 

[loverofhumanity]

When I meet new people, their religion is the least thing I care about.
My interest is in their unique perspective in life. That might include religion but it's not a necessity.

I have some beautiful Christian friends for about 4 years now and they always mention their faith to me and I sometimes go to mass with them but they have never asked me about my religion so I have never mentioned it. I mix as an equal with Christians in my locality and had dinner with the bishops and priests. Someone told them my religion and they went to visit my Temple and later told me how much they enjoyed it but we don’t go into it just remain very good friends.

To me everyone is a human being first so it doesn’t matter what a person believes or doesn’t believe. If someone wants to discuss it I’m ok with that. If they don’t that’s fine too.