Why do believers and non-believers continue to argue when neither can prove the other wrong?

Question

Non-believers use reason, science, and physical evidence (or lack thereof) to argue their point. Believers use faith to argue their point. I feel that non-believers have the stronger argument, but as long as we are using two separate bases of reasoning, I know that in this life, I will never be able to prove the believers wrong and they will never be able to prove me wrong. We can argue until we are blue in the face. Why don’t we all just get along, and then see what happens when we die?

Answer 1

People generally argue because they feel that their position has not been correctly understood or stated.

For example, you say 'Believers use faith to argue their point' implying that they don't use reason. That is wrong; you are either misinformed or mendacious. My immediate concern is not to know which state you are in, but to correct a mis-statement. Do a search for Maimonides, Aquinas, and Averroes to find some significant examples of believers who had a great devotion to reason.

re Raoul Duke's comment: I don't know how someone who can use the word epistemology can say 'for believers there is no such thing as human knowledge'. Why did believers found universities?

Answer 2

they need to investigate for themselves as Atheist /lawyer, Lee Strobel did.
Believers use science too.

I believe it is important to remind people that in times past science has proclaimed things as fact which later were revealed to be false. Theories such as the sun rotating around the earth or that the world was flat or that if ships would venture too far out to sea they would fall off the edge of the world. Compare these scientific beliefs with the fact that the Bible has clearly described our globe as early as 700 years before Christ as "the circle of the earth" (Is. 40:22). Jesus also spoke of a day when He would return and one person would be in bed asleep and another would be at work in the field. This statement clearly revealed that Jesus understood the fact that the earth was round which would explain why one part of the earth would be in darkness (people asleep in bed) the other would have day (people working in the field) (Luke 17:34-36).

Therefore, remind people that science has been wrong in the past. Encourage people to study all the evidence and then make a decision. Remind them that if Jesus knew that the earth was round in 32 AD, shouldn’t they listen to His insight and knowledge concerning man’s spiritual need? He spoke of the reality of heaven and hell, of the forgiveness He wanted to give, and the way of salvation. Encourage people to seriously consider His wisdom. Their eternal destiny will depend on it.

Answer 3

1) Because waiting until after death might make it too late to do anything about it.
2) Because one's actions reflect what one believes.
3) Even if we can't prove each other wrong, we still can give good evidence for what one believes.

As for your first sentence, I find it highly condescending, since it implies that reason, science, and physical evidence are the sole province of the skeptic.

Answer 4

They are not different ‘reasonings’, they are different epistemologies. For believers ‘reason’, logic, rational thought, and science are discounted. Essentially, for believers there is no such thing as human knowledge.

Non-believers follow an epistemology based on the concept that the physical universe operates by natural processes that can be observed, identified, and explained based on empirical evidence and reality, and that supernatural explanations of natural phenomenon as unnecessary and incorrect.

Answer 5

I get along with non believers but I am not with them very much, only casually. I witness and we talk about religion but never an argument..
On occasion, God does send me to 'plant the seed' in a particular person who needs some guidance and understanding of salvation but other than that, I am usually with my Christians friends...

Answer 6

Believers use proof and reason, it's just that non-believers refuse to accept their arguments. Non-believers even go so far as to say they HAVE no arguments, no proof, nothing except faith, even when it's all been laid out before them. Even when they accept other ideas with levels of proof even more tenous.

The problem is blindness, not 'different reasoning'. Sad, really.

Answer 7

THat is so true, its just I feel that my purpose is to try to educate. And yes I am a believer, but I do not beat people over the head with my TRUTH. I just put it out there and hopefully plant a little seed. Good day.

Peace

Answer 8

Non-believers use some reason, some physical evidence, and some faith.

Believers who know (not blind belief) use some reason, some experiential evidence, and some faith.

Believers who blindly believe use some experiential evidence (perhaps) and faith.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 9

Well, some continue the good fight because they hope they can talk some sense into the believers... to open their minds and make them see that they're living their lives according to a fantasy and that they're not going to get a second chance at life when this one is gone.

Personally..... i'll state my case & if a believer doesn't care or doesn't want to listen..... fine. Their loss, not mine. If a believer wants to have a conversation with me on the subject i'm fine with that, but if it turns into him/her trying to convert me.... that's when i bring out the big guns and really start to argue.

We can't get along because believers feel they need to "save" us..... and non-believers are tired of having their beliefs shoved onto us. Non-believers are tired of the believers wanting their beliefs plastered all over EVERYTHING while the believers disrespect ALL other cultures, beliefs & ways of life. Respect is a two way street..... I've been plenty respectful to many believers....... but only if they've proven to me that they're worthy of it. If they won't respect me I sure as hell won't respect them, and i can't get along with someone who doesn't respect me or my beliefs.

Answer 10

Non believers don't need to prove anyone wrong they just need to make believers aware that their bullsh!t isn't going to go unchallenged. Any atheist that feels the need to prove the non existence of God is an ******** with sh!t for brains.