Can you play Devil's Advocate?

Question

So most people on here seem pretty certain in their own beliefs. How many people here can think and argue like someone outside of their beliefs? I mean intelligently, not mockingly.

For example, as an atheist, can you make a rational argument for theism? Can a Muslim understand Christians? Do Christians understand why and how pagans think?

I'm curious. Anyone want to give it a try?

Devil's Advocate is a phrase. It means to take a position for the sake of argument (usually the opposing side but not always, thereby teaching the speaker debate technique). It has nothing to do with the 'devil.'

What you are expressing, Christn, is an inability or unwillingness to think like anyone different from yourself. While you may be content in your little bubble ignorant of others, how do you expect to convert them if you won't put forth the effort to understand how they think?

Pedestal: Show me your argument. I'm curious. And would this be an argument you'd respect more, coming from theists, than what you usually see?

Answer 1

I did so once, long ago to help my Xian girlfriend reaffirm her faith.

The exact details of why she was on shaky ground are lost in the mists of time, but I do remember her saying that she wanted to hear my thoughts on the matter. Now, being the immoral atheist that I was, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to break her faith completely but I also knew that in doing so I'd kill a part of her and any conversion to non-belief would have to come from her or else it would be worthless.

So instead I told her a story. I don't remember the exact words as most of it was off the top of my head but the basic idea was this: God creates a tapestry of human existence, but instead of using threads made of cotton or silk, he weaves threads made from our lives. The colour red from our passion, the blue from our sorrow, and the gold from our joy. God has a pattern for all this, he knows how and what to weave even if we don't. But the problem is we can't see this tapestry as we're standing on it, it's too big and too grand for our eyes to see but if you were to step back and see it from his perspective then you'd understand just what it is he's trying to do.

There was a pause before she said those three words that I had never heard her say before and never heard her say again, "oh my God!" She then said to me that her parents, her friends and even her minister couldn't explain it like I had. They used scripture, they used stories that she had heard a thousand times before but they didn't come close to explaining it. I however managed to do what it is that those Xians couldn't. An atheist, with no belief in god could convince a very devout Xian to keep her faith.

It's probably not what you're looking for, but it's all I could think of at the moment.

Answer 2

Ah, I *might* argue that mere material rationality was not the best route to approach theism!

(Is this the five minute argument or the full half-hour?)

I can find the case for most propositions...
On the whole I'd say the more recent, the more difficult, and the more Eastern, the more difficult (for me).

"Tradition is the ultimate democracy: it means giving your ancestors the vote."

Answer 3

In at least one situation, I do so, and on a regular basis.
Let me explain.
Homosexuality, according to my faith and belief, is fundamentally wrong. It is against nature. Telling me that animals do it only tells me that the speaker thinks that we ought to model our sex lives on what we see animals doing...don't say that to a farm gal, please. I've seen how dogs, cats, cows and chickens "do it" and, believe me, I'm not interested in emulating them. Besides, animals also have sex with their own offspring...one could, therefore, make the argument that, since animals do it, pedophilia is perfectly natural.
Although I have had homosexual friends that I have been comfortable with, on the whole, the idea of making homosexual marriage legal does seem to me to be a very bad idea. Who knows what doors may be opened?

HOWEVER, I do realize that my rules are based on my faith, and should not apply to people who do not believe as I do. With that in mind, I have argued that any two people who live together as a couple, paying bills together, sharing their lives, and (ugh) their bathrooms with each other, deserve the same legal rights as any married couple.
I would rather that these rights were realized in a civil contract, however. Call it "marriage" if you like, but please, keep it "secular".

Can I go brush my teeth now?

Answer 4

I was a non-believer. I know that side. I never would go back.
As far as arguing a point from something other than Christianity, I think it would be fruitless as no other religion has a source book as truthful and adequate as the Bible. Every other "holy book" has holes in the reasoning

Answer 5

Christians have already lived that side of the fence, we need not to return to see if we still can. We are to try to dedicate our life to honor God and not play for or advocate the devil. Devil does just fine on his own.

Yes my mind can be used for good or evil.
I prefer to focus on what the Lord says and lean not on my own understanding. So I exercise my choice.

Answer 6

"Be prepared to give an answer for anyone who asks."

It is best to be objective and consider both sides before prefacing your views.


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