Why do Atheists Debate Religion?

[Quintessence]

But wait, I'm not done... I can't fit it into one post because it exceeds the character limit of the forums.

 

[LuisDantas]

I am certainly surprised that you would go so far without bothering to consult one yes.

We use dictionaries to learn new words, Bunyip. Not to check whether we know what we do know.

 

[Bunyip]

We use dictionaries to learn new words, Bunyip. Not to check whether we know what we do know.

Sometimes what we think we know is wrong. It is often worth checking.

 

[LuisDantas]

Not the case here, though. And certainly not to the degree that a plain dictionary would be useful.

Do you truly expect me to pretend to have no idea about what a religion is?

 

[Quintessence]

I'm going to make this slightly easier. Because this is actually quite fascinating. I knew the OED would have a ridiculous gigantic entry for the word "religion" but it astounds even me. XD

Here's what they have, sans all the examples tracking word usage over time. It is actually rather interesting, I think:

Spoiler: Somewhat less intimidating text wall

religion, n.
Pronunciation: Brit. /rᵻˈlɪdʒ(&#601n/ , U.S. /rəˈlɪdʒ(&#601n/ , /riˈlɪdʒ(&#601n/

1. A state of life bound by religious vows; the condition of belonging to a religious order. Also fig. Cf. to enter into religion at enter v. 8b.

a1225—1998​

2. Christian Church.
a. A particular religious order or denomination; †a religious house. Also fig. Now rare.

?c1225—1902​

†b. A member of a religious order, spec. a member of the clergy. Obs.

a1250—a1500​

†c. Collectively: people devoted to a religious life. Obs.

1487—1568​

3.
a. Action or conduct indicating belief in, obedience to, and reverence for a god, gods, or similar superhuman power; the performance of religious rites or observances. Also in pl.: religious rites. Now rare except as merged with sense 5a.

?c1225—1913​

†b. A religious duty or obligation. Obs.

1537—1659​

4.
a. A particular system of faith and worship.

c1325—1991​

b. fig. A pursuit, interest, or movement, followed with great devotion.

1576—2003​

†c. With the and capital initial. Chiefly in French contexts: Protestantism. Obs. (hist. in later use).

1577—1883​

5.
a. Belief in or acknowledgement of some superhuman power or powers (esp. a god or gods) which is typically manifested in obedience, reverence, and worship; such a belief as part of a system defining a code of living, esp. as a means of achieving spiritual or material improvement.

?a1439—2004​

b. Chiefly poet. and literary. Religion personified.

a1522—1931​

†c. Awe, dread. Obs. rare.

a1642—a1642​

†6. The religious sanction or obligation of an oath or similar bond. Obs.

1578—1880​

†7. fig. Strict fidelity or faithfulness; conscientiousness; devotion to some principle. Also: an instance of this. Obs.

1597—1691​

That still is not all of it. >_>;

Honestly, as much as I hate to say it, I find Wikipedia better than standard dictionaries for defining religion in a way that is more proper with respect to the scholarly study of it. I wish I had a subject specialist dictionary for religion, but I don't. Wait a sec... what am I talking about... I'm plugged in to a University, hence how I could even get the OED stuff... *digs around*

 

[Desert Snake]

I'm already seeing multiple examples proving my position. And personally, as well.

 

[Quintessence]

I'm already seeing multiple examples proving my position. And personally, as well.

I wouldn't make too much of it, honestly. OED isn't a specialist dictionary. It's scope is limited. I mostly just found it fascinating, and have a like of sharing fascinating things. I didn't really post it to prove a point one way or another, because I think fixating on dictionary definitions is an erroneous approach for any complex topic anyway.

 

[s2a]

Oh, and just so the OED is NOT the final word upon this, I have found this wording to be the MOST apt when describing any religious perspectives or views:

"Religion" (as any predicate of a faith-based viewpoint) -

"is a persuasion of the mind that a certain claim/belief is true"

-paraphrasing just a tad from "Easton's Bible Dictionary"

This remains the primary distinction between what is "knowable" (with relative certainty), and what is determined to be (or proclaimed as) "believable" (aka an untestable "truth").

Each "discipline" will only satisfy those willing to accept those distinctions, and acknowledge the differences in answer to questions left unanswerable or unanswered today.

200 years ago, most illnesses were the realm of demons and soul possessors. Today, we know better, despite those nasty unavailable cures. Someone invented the microscope, and bacteria and viruses became understood. Who knew that surgeons washing their hands would make such a difference?

Who knows what the next 200 years might unveil?

I know this much...without applied science/medicine, the answer is left only to witchcraft and faith-healers.

Boo!!

 

[TheScholar]

I got to sleep, I wake up and BOOM, 9 pages to read. Should be interesting.

 

[atheistsincesix]

We are confident that we have a better chance of being right and we are very good at debating our point. Not to mention that it's fun, and it's amusing to see what arguments the theists can come up with. Plus, if we weren't here, this website would get boring because everyone would be arguing from their book of faith, all of which say that their own religion is right.

 

[Quintessence]

We are confident that we have a better chance of being right and we are very good at debating our point. Not to mention that it's fun, and it's amusing to see what arguments the theists can come up with. Plus, if we weren't here, this website would get boring because everyone would be arguing from their book of faith, all of which say that their own religion is right.

I agree with you that diversity of worldviews is desirable, not just here, but globally.

I would like to point out that not all religions have a "book of faith," or such a book that they would argue from and hold up as dogma, nor do they claim theirs is right (and that others are necessarily wrong).

 

[Revoltingest]

Am I wrong to not understand?

To not understand is the beginning of wisdom.
(I just made up that chestnut. It helps justify my own ignorance.)

Why do Atheists debate religion?

1) It's interesting, & rip roar'n fun.
2) Discussions with believers is good for both of us to understand the other.
3) Our government has theocratic tendencies, which affect us all.
4) Most of our society is faithful, so we will discuss what is important to them.
5) Some (not all atheists) just love to bludgeon others with their superior 'truth'.
6) Debating is fun, but offers no potential by itself. We disbelieve in gods....what is there to discuss?

 

[Hawkins]

We are confident that we have a better chance of being right and we are very good at debating our point. Not to mention that it's fun, and it's amusing to see what arguments the theists can come up with. Plus, if we weren't here, this website would get boring because everyone would be arguing from their book of faith, all of which say that their own religion is right.

So that in case you are wrong then people will go with you to a hell?

Moreover, your faith is a blind faith, as no one knows what would happen after death. Your religion is rather based on the fallacy that the absence of evidence is the evidence of absence. You don't have evidence to say for sure that nothing would happen after death.

Christianity on the other hand is a claim made by a group of people who are willing to die for what is said. It's like a claim which says that there's a bomb near your house and you are urged to leave the area. People died to get that message out. Moreover, if the claimed next reality (afterlife) is a truth, this is the only way for such a truth to be conveyed around humans. That is, you have no other way to reach such a truth, in the case that it is a truth.

 

[LuisDantas]

Several of my books on World religions define Buddism as a philosophy as opposed to a religion - on the basis that it does not posit a higher power.

Confuscianism is also often referred to as a philosophy for the same reasons.

Yes. It is possible to mishandle and abuse the concept of religion, often out of desire to overrate the significance of belief in God.

 

[Susanpalli,JW]

In my ministry I have spoken to a number of atheists, and what I find interesting in our discussions is, they ask me to pray to my God for them. Some of those whom I have talked to are curious about how we can be believers, and they are very respectful and listen to our message. I have to say most of them are very respectful.

 

[columbus]

It's frustrating for believers too. I love the subjects of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but sometimes enough is enough. You just can't talk about it anymore. I was once at a religious convention that lasted for four days. On the fourth day, I was so tired of hearing about God that at breakfast I started talking Hockey with another person, and I don't even like Hockey.

I think your real question is why so few Christian participants?
The English speaking world is pretty well dominated by them. As a result they are rarely challenged to support their religious beliefs. So they are not very good at it. On a level playing field like RF they are made uncomfortable in a way that they can easily avoid by not posting.

The rest of us have a quite different experience in day to day life.

So the demographics are heavily skewed in a place like this.

Tom

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Here's a question to debate. I'm on a road to search for knowledge, and I find something intriguing. When I joined, I expected a fair number of Spiritualists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Agnostics, Pagans, etc. The one thing I didn't count on was the number of Atheists, I expected a few, but the number was much larger then I expected. I found that intriguing.

I understand people with a religion talking about their religion. I don't understand why some people talk so much about their lack of a religion. Am I wrong to not understand?

Why do Atheists debate religion?

Satan uses me as his mouthpiece to sow doubt and discord among believers.

 

[Desert Snake]

Satan uses me as his mouthpiece to sow doubt and discord among believers.

Har har. Not quite.

Though, Satanism and atheism might be related hmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[LuisDantas]

Har har. Not quite.

Though, Satanism and atheism might be related hmmmmmmmmmmm

You know, I have still not made my mind about that.

I have a hard time understanding Satanism.

 

[Estro Felino]

Well, very good question. In some forums about religion, there are even more atheists than believers. This is very interesting.
I like confrontation and talking to Atheists is very constructive.
Sometimes it is necessary to talk to someone who is a hundred percent rational; given that my vision on God is very rational, lots of Atheists understand me perfectly.