Why bother debating about religion?

[CDWolfe]

Seriously...look around this particular forum and it's the same group of people going at it in every thread. Each have their own views, prejudices and "I'm right, you're wrong" positions. I am guilty of it too. I have yet to see anything actually get accomplished in any thread. Though it may be fun to debate, what is the point? Boredom? Like stirring the pot? Some hope that you'll actually convert someone to your way of thinking? I am not going to be moved from my opinions, and I doubt you will either. Maybe we should all just sit down and sing a song!

:camp:

Carry on.

 

[tumbleweed41]

Personally, I have learned much through the debates and discussions over the years I have been here.
It is not about being "right", it is also learning about and from others beliefs/philosophies.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Debating is to find out WHY another person believes something, not to prove that the person's belief is correct.

 

[Badran]

Seriously...look around this particular forum and it's the same group of people going at it in every thread. Each have their own views, prejudices and "I'm right, you're wrong" positions. I am guilty of it too. I have yet to see anything actually get accomplished in any thread. Though it may be fun to debate, what is the point? Boredom? Like stirring the pot? Some hope that you'll actually convert someone to your way of thinking? I am not going to be moved from my opinions, and I doubt you will either. Maybe we should all just sit down and sing a song!

:camp:

Carry on.

Perhaps more often than not what you said would be exactly right.

But then there's also the cases where you can see the effects all this can have. Some people changed their beliefs over the years here, and some have done so quite radically.

Many learn quite a lot of things in regards to all sorts of topics. I know this from personal experience, i've learned a lot here. And i can see it happening with others too. This also includes learning about others in general.

Not all people come here to learn, and not all actually learn anything. But i think it's worth it for those who do end up learning and educating others about all sorts of subjects that get raised here.

 

[Skwim]

Seriously...look around this particular forum and it's the same group of people going at it in every thread. Each have their own views, prejudices and "I'm right, you're wrong" positions. I am guilty of it too. I have yet to see anything actually get accomplished in any thread. Though it may be fun to debate, what is the point? Boredom? Like stirring the pot? Some hope that you'll actually convert someone to your way of thinking? I am not going to be moved from my opinions, and I doubt you will either. Maybe we should all just sit down and sing a song!

:camp:

Carry on.

Isn't fun reason enough? Must there be some point other than "fun" to go on a merry-go-round, or to play darts, or to sing in the shower?

 

[bobhikes]

It was more about self discovery, at first I knew very little about other religions. I was pointed in new directions by some. I was able to test my own theories and see reactions and have them challenged. What good are my own thoughts if they can't stand up to a little challenge.

Yes I did try to convert others but you are correct in that it is a futile attempt only an open person can change their self. Most people are closed.

Yes it was fun to do.

Yes I learned a whole lot more about people in general and how to interact with them.

But after several years, I am now satisfied with my own knowledge and bored with the same old debates.

I do check in from time to time if I see something interesting.

Hope I helped.

 

[Riverwolf]

Seriously...look around this particular forum and it's the same group of people going at it in every thread. Each have their own views, prejudices and "I'm right, you're wrong" positions. I am guilty of it too. I have yet to see anything actually get accomplished in any thread. Though it may be fun to debate, what is the point? Boredom? Like stirring the pot? Some hope that you'll actually convert someone to your way of thinking? I am not going to be moved from my opinions, and I doubt you will either. Maybe we should all just sit down and sing a song!

:camp:

Carry on.

I'm not opposed to singing. ^_^

I debate to learn. I actually want my views challenged, so I can continue to learn. If I've been given enough reason to change my views, I will and have done so, with the added benefit of having more knowledge to pool from.

 

[Awoon]

Seriously...look around this particular forum and it's the same group of people going at it in every thread. Each have their own views, prejudices and "I'm right, you're wrong" positions. I am guilty of it too. I have yet to see anything actually get accomplished in any thread. Though it may be fun to debate, what is the point? Boredom? Like stirring the pot? Some hope that you'll actually convert someone to your way of thinking? I am not going to be moved from my opinions, and I doubt you will either. Maybe we should all just sit down and sing a song!

:camp:

Carry on.

Unless you've studied all links provided, why wouldnt you move from your opinions?

 

[George-ananda]

Seriously...look around this particular forum and it's the same group of people going at it in every thread. Each have their own views, prejudices and "I'm right, you're wrong" positions. I am guilty of it too. I have yet to see anything actually get accomplished in any thread. Though it may be fun to debate, what is the point? Boredom? Like stirring the pot? Some hope that you'll actually convert someone to your way of thinking? I am not going to be moved from my opinions, and I doubt you will either. Maybe we should all just sit down and sing a song!

:camp:

Carry on.

Well, I hope I'm about to learn something:

What is 'Christian Naturalism'?

 

[Sleeppy]

I like observing how people think and learn. It also gives me opportunity to sharpen myself, by putting my thoughts together and being able to see their consistency and effect.

 

[Primi Agminis]

Seriously...look around this particular forum and it's the same group of people going at it in every thread. Each have their own views, prejudices and "I'm right, you're wrong" positions. I am guilty of it too. I have yet to see anything actually get accomplished in any thread. Though it may be fun to debate, what is the point? Boredom? Like stirring the pot? Some hope that you'll actually convert someone to your way of thinking? I am not going to be moved from my opinions, and I doubt you will either. Maybe we should all just sit down and sing a song!

:camp:

Carry on.

People choose to debate for a large variety of reasons. Some enjoy the confrontation and flame fest. Others think they are genuinely converting their adversaries into their system of beliefs. There are those that are bored and do it for fun. Some try and learn or expand their knowledge, and others are just trouble makers and like to hit people on a nerve.

I do it to prove my superiority. :jester5:

 

[LuisDantas]

Religion exists in region between individual and collective perception.

Debating it and its concepts is not only useful, but in fact crucial in order to develop much-needed language and mutual understanding in order to better express personal convictions and beliefs and understand those of others.

Agreement can often enough be found in many points, which brings familiarity and the possibility of cooperation. And even when the disagreement is unavoidable, it is still grounds for respectful "border marking" and diplomacy.

Often enough "being right" isn't half as important as being correctly understood.

 

[Quintessence]

It is not about being "right", it is also learning about and from others beliefs/philosophies.

QFT.

*points at signature*

 

[ChristineES]

I came here to learn and I have learned a great. There are some things you can only learn from the people who actually follow a faith.

 

[Daviso452]

Looks like we are all in agreement. We are here to learn. This forum is like a place for learning about beliefs and how other people think. Some times we fall into the trap of wanting to be right.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Maybe we should all just sit down and sing a song!

So, after being here for roughly one month, you wish to mildly chastise the rest of us for wasting our time. Thanks for the new insight ...

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

I'm here mostly to learn, as pretty much everyone else here has said, but also so that my faith, Buddhism, is properly understood. So, I guess, I'm here to teach as well. I could honestly care less of trying to get others to convert to Buddhism. But I'm also here so my beliefs are challenged, because that's the only real way to make sure I'm on the right path for me.

 

[oldbadger]

Seriously...look around this particular forum and it's the same group of people going at it in every thread. Each have their own views, prejudices and "I'm right, you're wrong" positions. I am guilty of it too. I have yet to see anything actually get accomplished in any thread. Though it may be fun to debate, what is the point? Boredom? Like stirring the pot? Some hope that you'll actually convert someone to your way of thinking? I am not going to be moved from my opinions, and I doubt you will either. Maybe we should all just sit down and sing a song!

:camp:

Carry on.

Interesting thread! I can't agree with you, though. In the 6 months that I have been a member I have learned more than I ever thought possible, and (being a theist) it amazes me that most of my new knowledge (about religion) came from atheist members.

My opinions have slowly changed, and I really should alter my religion title now. I can't think of many members who seek to convert others, apart from one group. The rest just share, discuss, debate.

The 'regular' contributors' list seems to have altered over 6 months, some have taken time-out, some left, and one of my best tutors (sadly) was banned for something.

So it's a constantly moving situation. If you will never change your opinions in any way, that's ok, but you'll probably not get as much out of the forum with a totally closed mindset.

 

[ChristineES]

I'm here mostly to learn, as pretty much everyone else here has said, but also so that my faith, Buddhism, is properly understood. So, I guess, I'm here to teach as well. I could honestly care less of trying to get others to convert to Buddhism. But I'm also here so my beliefs are challenged, because that's the only real way to make sure I'm on the right path for me.

One thing I've learned about your faith is that there are some aspects of Buddhism that we can follow without it really effecting our own faith- even mine (Christianity). Some of the teachings are very similar (although not identical).

 

[Sir Doom]

The best thing about knowledge is that it always adds to and never removes. When we debate, it doesn't matter whether you ultimately agree with your opponent or not, you gain something every time, even if it is nothing more than a more solidified position that you already held.