Why Debate the Existence of God with Non-believers?

[Riverwolf]

Why debate the existence of God (or in my case, Gods) with non-believers?

Because, as believers in something that has no objective evidence, it can help us stay honest with ourselves on that fact, so we can be more confident in our beliefs; not that they're necessarily true, but that they're part of us as individuals.

I've always been a polytheist, and probably always will be, but I used to hold certain beliefs that simply make no sense. If I'd never even talked about such things with atheists (a friend of mine used to be a hard atheist, now he's more agnostic atheist), the problems with those beliefs would never have been addressed. It's helped me redefine what a God is to me, the nature of the universe, and the potential nature of the Otherworld. Furthermore, it's helped me learn how to get over a natural gullibility I have, by learning how to question things in a healthy manner, even my own beliefs.

In other words, debating with people who don't believe in my Gods has helped me grow as a person.

 

[ZooGirl02]

Generally the reason is to try to convince non-believers in God to believe in God.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Generally the reason is to try to convince non-believers in God to believe in God.

Hey, have you heard the good news? There is no god .



When it comes to atheists or theists they both do the same things often which is why so many atheists treat atheism as if it was a religion. It is the "I am right, you are wrong" mentality that often leads to violence. Atheists have a lot to prove on their hand while theists are lacking proof often times. Atheists are being assaulted by the majority because they are disrupting thousands of years of theism and religiosity by merely existing.

Theists must debate the existence of god with atheists in order to combat the rising spread of irreligion and overall non-theism which is becoming a norm more than theism. Youth do not care about god(which I say is good) and they are interested in evidence now. Theists lack evidence and this is just what happens when claims go on unverified.

 

[Magic Man]

When it comes to atheists or theists they both do the same things often which is why so many atheists treat atheism as if it was a religion.

That's not treating it as if it was a religion. That's just being sure of your position and arguing for it. No one says a hardcore pro-choice supporter is "treating it like a religion".

 

[Sha'irullah]

That's not treating it as if it was a religion. That's just being sure of your position and arguing for it. No one says a hardcore pro-choice supporter is "treating it like a religion".

I never even said what specific actions qualify religious atheism.

 

[Magic Man]

I never even said what specific actions qualify religious atheism.

The only thing that would qualify atheism as a religion would be if it was an atheistic religion like some forms of Buddhism.

EDIT: But that wouldn't qualify as "treating atheism as if it was a religion". No one does that.

 

[LuisDantas]

Generally the reason is to try to convince non-believers in God to believe in God.

Really? That is an odd goal to have, and not a very defensable one.

 

[Sha'irullah]

The only thing that would qualify atheism as a religion would be if it was an atheistic religion like some forms of Buddhism.

EDIT: But that wouldn't qualify as "treating atheism as if it was a religion". No one does that.

Many people treat atheism religiously, have you not seen sports fanatics before? Treating anything religiously with the subconscious intent it is divine, perfect and objectively true occurs all the time. Communism was a political religion at one point. Russia believed that due to communism they could never have serial killers.
Have you not encountered atheists now who cannot even understand their own arguments yet assume they have an objectively correct position. This occurs on a regular basis.

 

[Magic Man]

Many people treat atheism religiously, have you not seen sports fanatics before? Treating anything religiously with the subconscious intent it is divine, perfect and objectively true occurs all the time. Communism was a political religion at one point. Russia believed that due to communism they could never have serial killers.
Have you not encountered atheists now who cannot even understand their own arguments yet assume they have an objectively correct position. This occurs on a regular basis.

As I already explained that's not treating atheism as a religion.

 

[edwinic]

Have you not encountered atheists now who cannot even understand their own arguments yet assume they have an objectively correct position. This occurs on a regular basis.

Precisely.

 

[LuisDantas]

Precisely.

That may well be, but it still falls way short of making it a religion!

 

[edwinic]

That may well be, but it still falls way short of making it a religion!

I agree with the observation of Shairullah (which i quoted). I could also almost agree that at some point, subscription to communist ideology could be "religious" basing on some personal experience. However, up to now, i could not see atheism could be deemed as religious(in the context of worship)

 

[Sha'irullah]

I agree with the observation of Shairullah (which i quoted). I could also almost agree that at some point, subscription to communist ideology could be "religious" basing on some personal experience. However, up to now, i could not see atheism could be deemed as religious(in the context of worship)

Buddhism is a religion and it does not have worship. Worship does not determine a religion. When I say Atheism can be a religion I am specifically addressing the New Atheist movement. The New Atheists assume that atheism along with science can answer all of life's questions. It is a form of false absolutism which only religious people have.

The best way to tell a religious atheist from just an atheist is to see if they have answers for everything. So let me clarify and state that "New Atheism" is just Religious Atheism. Organized Lack of Belief in God

 

[edwinic]

Buddhism is a religion and it does not have worship. Worship does not determine a religion. When I say Atheism can be a religion I am specifically addressing the New Atheist movement. The New Atheists assume that atheism along with science can answer all of life's questions. It is a form of false absolutism which only religious people have.

The best way to tell a religious atheist from just an atheist is to see if they have answers for everything. So let me clarify and state that "New Atheism" is just Religious Atheism. Organized Lack of Belief in God

Well if by New Atheist you mean Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris and Dennett along with the likes of Barker, Dillahunty, Hirsan Ali, Stephen Fry to name a few, Im sorry to say that the scene wouldnt be as colourful, if not fot these bunches. They surely rocked the boat that many noticed.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Well if by New Atheist you mean Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris and Dennett along with the likes of Barker, Dillahunty, Hirsan Ali, Stephen Fry to name a few, Im sorry to say that the scene wouldnt be as colourful, if not fot these bunches. They surely rocked the boat that many noticed.

None of these guys created New Atheism although the atheists who listen to them are responsible. These individuals are treated as "non-prophets" and their ideas are given the utmost authority.
I love Krauss for example and have been listening to him speak for years but by no means do I idealize him. I also heavily disagree with him on his hatred for philosophy and think he acts childish when it comes to this issue.

 

[edwinic]

None of these guys created New Atheism although the atheists who listen to them are responsible. These individuals are treated as "non-prophets" and their ideas are given the utmost authority.
I love Krauss for example and have been listening to him speak for years but by no means do I idealize him. I also heavily disagree with him on his hatred for philosophy and think he acts childish when it comes to this issue.

Oh yes, i forgot Lawrence Krauss. He is a dynamo. Its unfortunate that he could not address your disagreement in these website.

 

[Magic Man]

Buddhism is a religion and it does not have worship. Worship does not determine a religion. When I say Atheism can be a religion I am specifically addressing the New Atheist movement. The New Atheists assume that atheism along with science can answer all of life's questions. It is a form of false absolutism which only religious people have.

The best way to tell a religious atheist from just an atheist is to see if they have answers for everything. So let me clarify and state that "New Atheism" is just Religious Atheism. Organized Lack of Belief in God

Religion - a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Atheism does not fit. All atheism is is either the absence of belief in God or the belief that God doesn't exist. It is not a set of beliefs, and it certainly doesn't involve devotional or ritual observances.

There are religions that are atheistic, but atheism itself is not a religion. This attempt to make atheism a religion is silly.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Religion - a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Atheism does not fit. All atheism is is either the absence of belief in God or the belief that God doesn't exist. It is not a set of beliefs, and it certainly doesn't involve devotional or ritual observances.

There are religions that are atheistic, but atheism itself is not a religion. This attempt to make atheism a religion is silly.

"Semantics are the true sign that you have nothing to argue about"

How many times must I repeat that phrase?

I can spot the fact that your entire post is a straw man by the way.

 

[LuisDantas]

Buddhism is a religion and it does not have worship. Worship does not determine a religion.

Of a god as such? I guess it doesn't. It is a bit misleading to say that is has no worship, though.

When I say Atheism can be a religion I am specifically addressing the New Atheist movement. The New Atheists assume that atheism along with science can answer all of life's questions. It is a form of false absolutism which only religious people have.

It is a good thing that it does not happen, then. I'm pretty certain that you are misrepresenting "New Atheism", if such a movement even exists.

The best way to tell a religious atheist from just an atheist is to see if they have answers for everything. So let me clarify and state that "New Atheism" is just Religious Atheism. Organized Lack of Belief in God

Oh please... you really ought to spare "religious atheist" to describe, well, religious atheists.

 

[LuisDantas]

None of these guys created New Atheism although the atheists who listen to them are responsible. These individuals are treated as "non-prophets" and their ideas are given the utmost authority.

Uh, by whom?