Seeing as religion is ultimately a question of opinion, is there a point in religious debate?

Question

A hypothetical: I believe in one "truth", yet you espouse another. I, only wishing that all would know the "truth", debate my perspective with you with the ultimate goal of convincing/converting you. Am I wrong? What if your "truth" harms people (such as female genital mutilation in some religions, or stoning of rape victims in others), and mine does not cause such direct harms? Am I then justified to "force" my "truth" upon you?

Answer 1

No one should force their religion on anyone else. I think it is noble of your religion to ask me if you may be pushy and allow me to say no thank you and have you respect that! Please speak your truth to me.
That is how it should work. I know exactly what you mean about pushy forced religion. I converted once in a moment of weakness at a bible revival. I was forced to or the people I rode with would not take me home... and I was kinda scared of this hell place...
Your truth religion is intriguing. Your askance of permission a role model for all religions.
Peace dude.

Answer 2

Part of the reason the debates seem useless is because they tend to become repetitive and intellectually barren. Both sides enter the debate knowing they won't convince the other, and you get these standard forward and backward flows of arguments and counter-arguments.

However, the reason debating religion is important is because religions are not stated as opinions, but as facts. The debate about religion is at the heart a debate about epistemology. And THAT debate does have a point. There is right and wrong when it comes to standards of knowledge and the like. (There are standards of knowledge that lead to contradictions, and others that do not).

The debate rages on, however, because no one ever makes it that far into the woods. People debate surface characteristics, "What did Jesus actually say? Did jesus actually exist? Does the Bible have contradictions?"... etc... instead of the underlying disagreements: "When presented with a concept, how do you determine if it's true or false? What are the standards of evidence? Are there ways in which your method of aquiring knowledge can lead to contradictions?"...etc

Instead of addressing the big underlying issues, people get all emotional because religion is such a huge part of their lives. The question of whether god exists takes on a significance much greater than it actually deserves, because people equate their religious beliefs with morality, hope, comfort, and numerous other things.

Maybe one day everyone will agree on a standard for knowledge, and all religious debates will cease. I'm not holding my breath, though...

Answer 3

I can only speak from a Christian background.
I am tired of Christians trying to force their religion down other peoples throat. They feel that they have done one of their duties to God called witnessing. What they have accomplished is alienating that person completely.
The best witness is by example. A persons actions are far more powerfull than their words.
I have heard this statement and agree with it completely. " If you are in an argument about religion....you've already lost."

Most arguments between Christians are over petty details that in the scope of Christianity means absolutely nothing. For example some worry about how much make-up a woman should wear, if Saturday or Sunday is the sabeth, should you dance, wearing jewelry or even a wedding ring. Some churches have even divided because the people in the church could not agree on what color the hymnal should be.

Look at how many denominations Christianity has, Catholics, Baptists, Seventh Day Baptist, Methodist....the list is long.

This means that Christians don't believe the same truth. They pick one verse out of the Bible and make it the whole basis for their religion.

For me I stand as a Christian, witnessing by example and believing what the Bible says, not some fanatic that twists the words so that it says what they believe and forcing their "truth" on you. In most cases if you don't "see" it their way they denounce you as an unsaved sinner and judge you to the point that they tell you are condemed to hell.

That is not the way Jesus did it.

Answer 4

If those engaged in religious debate seek only to change other people's minds, to prove that they are right and others are wrong then the point for even having a religious debate is lost. Religious debate should be about trying to understand other perspectives. In many of the religious debates I have had with people I have come to understand things that I hadn't before and sometimes I even been given a new perspective on a spiritual subject that I hadn't yet considered. I kept my mind open and entered the debate to learn and share. Those whose goal in religious debate is to change one's mind or to prove they are right are closing their minds to wisdom and knowledge that may be given during the debate.

"I, only wishing that all would know the "truth", debate my perspective with you with the ultimate goal of convincing/converting you. Am I wrong?"
Where is the debate? What are you learning? You are sharing, but your motivations are not to learn more about the other person or to expand your perspective. You can believe in "truth" and debate your perspective, but if your goal is just to convince and convert the other, then you have missed the point of the debate altogether. Perhaps God was trying to use the debate to help you understand a spiritual subject you have difficulty grasping. The other person may walk away having gained something from the debate during this sharing of information. What have you gained if you do not reach the goal you set to convert this person? You leave the debate as you entered and you never opened your mind to trying to see another perspective on an issue.

"What if your "truth" harms people (such as female genital mutilation in some religions, or stoning of rape victims in others), and mine does not cause such direct harms? Am I then justified to "force" my "truth" upon you?"
What you define as harm others may define as being spiritually necessary. There are religions, like mine, who believe that the greatest harm that can be done to a person is to try to spiritual convert someone. It harms both the one doing the converting and the person who is being converting. Ahimsa or noninjury is a top priority. Thus if tried to "force" your "truth" on someone like myself you would be seen as being more harmful than those who may, in the secret and sanctity of their religion, practice such things as circumcision, ear piercing, tattooing, etc. People have agreed to these terms when they enter the religion. My religion respects that of that religion even if it, itself, would never do such practices because it would violate ahimsa. As far as someone from my religion is concerned, you are not justified to interfere with other people's religious beliefs if all in that religion have agreed to the rules and practices of that religion. You could, however, interfere if someone from one religion were trying to force such practices onto someone from your religion. In this case, the person from your religion has agreed to the rules and practices of your religion and to be subjected to the rules and practices of an alien religion would be wrong and cause great injury. People enter religion with 'consent'. If one does not agree with the religion they are free to leave and stop practicing it. Thus breaking their consent. We as individuals of all the many religions are charged with the responsibility to respect this.

Answer 5

there is not any longer something greater pathetic than somebody who " desires " a god to tell him precise from incorrect . This you have from deep interior you no longer from a imaginary sky fairy . Morals are survival values organic and straightforward . in case you initiate a murderous rampage eating your victims you will no longer final long . in case you reside a solid life assisting human beings alongside the way once you elect help human beings would be there for you .

Answer 6

There is pretty much zero point in debating religion except for:

-Discussing religions allows us to better understand the cultures we inhabit the world with.

Answer 7

I believe we should all have our own opinion on religion and like they say never discuss religion nor politics. That is wise. There is no point in trying to change my mind and I will not try and change yours.

Answer 8

As long as you "see" it that way-there is absolutely no point what so ever. If all bread taste the same, if all ice cream is the same, if all people are the same, if being dead is the same as being alive-there is no point in anything.

Answer 9

Great questions. But GOD will NEVER push Himself on anyone. Therefore, we as Christians, should not impose our beliefs on others. It is our duty to share the word of God, but it is not our duty to convert others.

Answer 10

I agree with you. Any faithful person is going to say theirs is the only true one. or that there aren't any true ones that you just have to believe in Christ....
I guess you just have to have a testimony and have hope and faith that yours is right!