millions, would the theists accept the challenge?
2006-08-10 09:01:33 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This would be us Atheists chance to convert millions because I know we would win
2006-08-10 09:02:26 · update #1
Well, such challenges are issued regularly in the college arena, I know that Peter Singer and Michael Peterson go at it frequently. The theists, much to the atheists chagrin, have an unfair advantage I think because they have the philosophy of some of the greatest minds of the last 2000 years to back them up, mostly based off of natural theology, while atheism was not a very developed way of thinking until about 150 years go.
The theists are often very eager to engage the atheists. I've been to a few of them.
2006-08-10 09:08:15 · answer #1 · answered by GodsKnite 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of us would accepts, I know I would. And don't think that it would be so easily done, either, as some of us don't believe every single word in the bible, but it's basic premise. I believe all religions have validity and don't look down on them because they are different. My personal belief is, whether there is a God or not, whether you must be a certain religion to go to "heaven" or not, that if everyone lived as their religion says they should, that the World would be a much better place for everyone.
I should also point out that I don't dismiss science for the bible, or vice versa. I believe that both the concept of God creating the Earth and everything on it is more than capable of being true at the same time as evolution. If God created that which we evolved from, with the intent for us to evolve a specific way, he was still ultimately responsible for our evolution and that also blends science and religion into one cohesive mindset.
2006-08-10 16:13:33 · answer #2 · answered by baldninja2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The winner would be decided by the viewers, how so? Because the theists would be using all kinds of bible quotes and what not, and the religous people at home would believe that as the truth, and accept it, and think the atheists can't possibly think they're right. The atheists would use science, and the non-religous types, would think it was clear as day that atheists won... So yeah it's hard to convince someone that something they believe is wrong.
2006-08-10 16:08:07 · answer #3 · answered by RATM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is actually a book written about a debate from a few years ago. it is something like "The Great Debate: Does God Exist?" The argument from the atheist was much more convincing then the argumen from the theist!
2006-08-10 16:11:24 · answer #4 · answered by locomexican89 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would very much like to see this happen. I've been trying to get Sam Harris to have a televised "conversation" with someone like Billy Graham. I believe those two would be respectful enough to make it happen. But I'll bet you Billy Graham would in fact turn it down. I think every theist, whether they want to admit it or not, knows that their religious beliefs will crumble under the microscope of reason. They deflect and dodge that microscope at every opportunity, for this reason.
2006-08-10 16:16:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh I've actually seen such debates. The theists usually leave in a huff after having thier a sses handed to them.
It's not a pretty sight let me tell you. Mythology can never withstand the scrutiny of critical thought. Ever.
2006-08-10 16:06:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The smartest atheists would be content in the knowledge that they will not live their lives enslaved to a sophomoric notion of a judgmental, narrow-minded creator entity. Debate would serve no purpose.
2006-08-10 16:11:46 · answer #7 · answered by buzzfeedbrenny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There have been many debates between athiests and theists and it usually is the theists who win. I am an athiest myself and I would like to have a debate such as you describe, but I don't believe it would result is such a clear-cut victory for us athiests.
2006-08-10 16:08:20 · answer #8 · answered by boukenger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sigh.
You know, when theists post so-called "questions" on here that are really either attempts to bait others into arguments, or rhetorical questions that are only posted to make a point, I report them. And when atheists do it, I report them, too.
Yahoo Answers is a place for discussion, for people to post questions so that other people can answer them. It's not here for you to make a point. That's what the forums are for. Or your blog, if you have one.
2006-08-10 16:07:26 · answer #9 · answered by Jay H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Smart atheists, and smart theists both realize that they are probably not going to change anyone's views by public debate.
2006-08-10 16:08:44 · answer #10 · answered by sara_busa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋