Atheists - I urge you?

Question

If we are to try and gain more acceptance and understanding, please do not simply assault theists with name-calling. It is not an effective way to gain acceptance and fight the prejudice against us. I urge you to engage in serious debate and use logic and reasoning to explain why we do not believe in God. And also, don't just say "the bible is fiction". Provide your reasons. When we use our logic, the theists have a much harder time arguing against us and we then start to gain others understanding of our beliefs. And that, I believe is what we want most. We don't have to respect belief in the supernatural but namecalling and weak declarations are our biggest obstacles for getting theists to actually listen to and consider our reasoning with an open mind.

I've just seen a lot of it here and I think it is counterproductive to our cause. Thanks.

Answer 1

What exactly is the logic and explanation that we have to do? Isn't it obvious? If these theists can't figure our point of view out, then they must not be very smart. But I shall explain- You are right, the bible is "fiction" or as I like to call it "faith based" science does not back the bible up to my knowledge which is pretty much why I don't believe in it. No proof, no belief. It's that simple to me.

Answer 2

First, I'm not an atheist; neither am I a Christian.

I would argue though, that a serious or rational debate with a Christian is nigh impossible. Such do not accept reasonable evidence.

As far as the Bible being fiction, that is something that even while being non-Christian, I would argue. I might agree that Genesis is a myth, but there is a great deal of real history between the covers of that book, so to claim it "fiction" is wrong on that count. Too, "fiction" is a type of literature, which no spiritual book fits into. For this reason, the Bible, as well as other spiritual tomes are categorized separate from fiction in any library.

I applaud your attemtp at promoting civility, but I do think that both sides of this argument are unikely to find such a thing in any sense of completeness.

Answer 3

I agree with you and would like to recommend you read a book I just found called "God: The failed hypothesis. How science proves that God doesn't exist".
I think the only thing holding us back as a society from reaching any consensus is just the anger we feel at each other. In this case, atheists call theists "idiots" or thereabouts because the atheists feel that the theists are wrong. But then it goes both ways because atheists are often called blasphemous (partially because they are... but it's still a harsh word).
I believe you have to address your question to everyone though, for if half of the people debating are being respectful and the other half isn't, nothing will be accomplished.

Answer 4

I begin by giving all, regardless of faith, the same amount of respect. I don't want to be imposed upon with anyone else's beliefs, nor will I impose mine. For me having a scientifically logical conversation with a person who has decided that there is a creationism God is also counterproductive for ME. I don't give one rats @ss what anyone else believes. I don't need to argue or call names and show disrespect, I just need to be comfortable with my own beliefs, or lack off same.. Live and let live, but show me the same respect.

Answer 5

I've used

Logic
Reasoning
Books
Quotes
Insults
Name calling
Sarcasm
Severe sarcasm
Biting sarcasm
Song lyrics
Movie quotes
Original poetry
Quotes from the bible
Quotes from famous persons
Historical facts
Statistics
Damn statistics
Lies
Anecdotes
Mathematical proofs
Paleontology
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Astronomy
Genetics
Flirting
Begging
Pleading
Stomping my feet
Quotes from Nobel Prize winners
The internet
Stuff written on the label of a can of dog food.

Nothing works, so I guess I'll try a limerick

There once was a theist from Gstaad
Who placed his protection in god
Whilst kneeling in prayer
He was ate by a bear
Whose taste ran a bit towards the odd

Answer 6

As a theist I agree. I really think that both sides can build bridges and at least understand or have more tolerance towards each if there is less use of inflammatory rhetoric. I really wonder at times what we hope to accomplish when we call each other names and insult. Not that I don't find the odd comment amusing but someone once told me and I think they had a point when they said people only resort to name calling and insults when they run out of intelligent debate. I don't know who we really hope is going to listen if we are insulting them. peronally I think it is better to build bridges tha burn the since we both need to share the same planet. Regards.

Answer 7

A reasonable request, and one that I will oblige here in part. Anyone with a shovel and the ability to count can easily learn that the bible is fiction; all one need do is to count the annual layers in the Antarctic ice cap: the layers go back hundreds of thousands of years. (No flood.) There is, of course, lots of other evidence showing that this account and numerous others are false; see:

Answer 8

Well stated! And archaeology proves that SOME of the Bible IS true. However, some of archaeology also proves that some of it is NOT true. If you understand the history behind the Bible, it makes a lot more sense, and is a lot more interesting. For example, the story of Lot sleeping with his daughters was written by the ENEMIES of his tribe, which explains a great deal!

Answer 9

I'm not sure that that's technically a question.
I've known atheists on line for many years now. Each has their own approach, their own motivations. For people like us the goal might be to engage in meaningful discussions to try to convince others that our cause has some merit. While I'm not out particularly to convert anyone to my way of thinking, I am out to correct a lot of mistaken impressions about non-believers. So for me, reasoned argument, preferably in a friendly way, is most effective.
But not everyone shares those goals. Some are out to mock people who think differently. Others are out to insult people they think are idiots or liars. Others just enjoy the dubious thrills of flame wars. These people don't care about trying to give believers a good impression of non-belief. They profess not to care what believers think. I sympathize with your desire to see things stay civil, I agree that that's the best way to support non-belief, but the people you are criticizing don't even agree with your goals so they aren't going to adopt your method.

Answer 10

Your suggestion is faulty at it's very core. What benefit would there be in using logic and reason when arguing with people whose very basis is against logic and reason? Belief in God clearly calls for an abandonment of logic and reason. When attempts to use logic and reason to show them the weakness of their position are used, do you honestly think they say "You raise a good point. I'll rethink my beliefs"? Of course not. They say "God exists and you'll burn in hell" or some such similar nonsense. So, naturally, some of us have grown tired of even trying. Can you find it in yourself to forgive us?