How well do you know the positions you debate against? This is for Fundamentalists and Atheists alike.?

Question

Since I'm a Unitarian, I get railed against by both the "All religions are insane" people here, and the "Every word of the Bible is literally true, in English as God wrote it" crowd. So I have a question for the people yelling at me from both sides.

How well do you understand each other's positions?

Atheists, do you know anything about religions other than the one you were raised in, and what you pick up on from pop culture? Ever read any Zen Buddhism texts, pick up a Carlos Castaneda book, talk to a Quaker at a war protest? Or do you just develop an inflexible position and hold it against all comers?

Fundamentalist Christians, same question. Ever read any Zen Buddhism texts, pick up a Carlos Castaneda book, talk to a Quaker at a war protest? Or do you just develop an inflexible position and hold it against all comers?

It seems every moderate Muslim, liberal Christian or non-strident agnostic I've met has a good general knowledge of other beliefs. What about you noisy lot?

Answer 1

Actually, when I debate, I rely on personal experiences.

I do not decide that one faith is "better" than another, because that is both difficult to determine and extremely specious.

I have been known to rise to the defense of atheists by explaining why some hold the ideas they do (my wife is one and I see what she goes through).

I also try to advise Christians why many people do hold them in low esteem (again, personal experience)

What I strive for is an understanding. You do not have to agree with a stance or a belief, but you do have to a least respect why a person believes what they believe

Answer 2

Yes, I do know a lot about fundamentalist Christianity, particularly the more virulent strain of it, because that's what I used to be.

And yes I have read some Buddhist books, some about Zen, and I have also read a few Carlos Castaneda books. I've read about and studied just about very religion under the sun, and yes even Scientology.

I also would like to point out I didn't go from being a Christian to being an Atheist. I was previously an Asatruar. :-)

Answer 3

I can't speak for others but for me, yes I have a very good knowledge. I did a great deal of searching before I came to God. I'm a literalist and so read everything I could get my hands on. I compared the texts to historical documents and then to archeological data. I studied the Torah, Quran, went through many of the teachings of Buddah, Scientology and a host of others. I even did some studies on Wicca. So I consider myself pretty well educated on the subject.
God and the Bible were the only ones that stood up to all the tests and the only ones where I couldn't find any lies or twisting of truth. (Notice I said God and the Bible, not church or religion).

Answer 4

Hello Brian, I was raised as Catholic, went to a catholic school,My Mum left my sister and i when I was 11, My Dad was an atheist, Every week I would go to church (alone) and pray in Ernest for a sign or just to get a feeling that there was anything in the whole god thing, zilch, I believed because of my Catholic upbringing that I was unworthy of gods love and that's why he wouldn't let me feel him to be real. then in desperation I started going to other churches (alone), still zilch, then I believed that Buddhism was for me, and i must admit the teachings at least felt a little right to me. i have tried whenever I have learnt of a religion to understand it. Even, I'll admit Scientology!. After thorough research I feel comfortable, happy and congruent with Atheism. So yes I think I've done my homework, thanks for asking. Peace

Answer 5

I've studied just about all of them except Islam, as it's basically the same as the other two big ones...

I would look into Islam, but at this point in my life, I really don't care to learn any more. There are more interesting subjects than religion, and the actions of Islamic followers are enough evidence that it's just as false and misguided as any other.

Edit- Oh... and Jainism... I have only a brief understanding of its basic concept.

Answer 6

I have looked into a lot of religions. They all just felt like fairy tales to me. Sure some have good points, but I never needed the books to tell me what makes a person good. I cannot believe in a god. I have thought and tried to imagine it, but nothing. No god, Just not there.

Answer 7

Thank you for the question...being a moderate, gay Christian...I have wondered the same thing.

I also wonder of the positions that the fundies hold...are they just towing their religions dogma line...or are these heart-felt convictions achieved through prayer and listening to God's direction?

Answer 8

I admit, I find myself apprehensive about religions in general, and even organized groups, after my experience with Christianity. I guess it's like the saying, "Once bitten, twice shy."

While this may not be the most rational, it works all right for me.

Answer 9

This is a great question and since I don't feel like I fit in either catagory, I am interested to see the responses, though between you and me they will probably more mildly entertaining than insightful.

Answer 10

I think I've heard about 58% of all the general theories and arguements. I like the peanut butter arguement for abiogenesis, and the banana arguement for the evolution of plants. I enjoy hearing them.