What is a polite way to disagree with someone's faith or lack of it in a discussion? What phrasing works best?

Answer 1

Answer in a positive manner, such as "My belief is that ...."
That way, you can show how your beliefs are different, without making negative comments about theirs.
You can also ask questions and request clarification without being confrontational, and point out how your beliefs differ from theirs for purposes of discussion.

Answer 2

I find that disagreement usually evokes debate or more technically an argument as it is hard to debate an ideal. The best wording that I have found is simply to say, "Faith is believing in something that can not be proven, it all boils down to how you interpret your faith's scriptures." Either that or prefacing your disagreement with the fact that every person embraces religion at a different level and that you could not disagree with anyone else's beliefs, but you have a difficult time understanding their point because of X (fill in the blank) Hope this helps

Answer 3

There is no polite way to attack a religious delusion. The delusion is the comfort zone, and if you threaten it, you can expect hostility. It's best to just brow beat a deluded person until they break down sobbing. It's for their own good, and you both know it (even if it's on an unconscious level.)

You can politely disagree with a person's lack of faith, but most likely they'll just chuckle and give you a cookie.

Answer 4

Don't worry to much about offensiveness... Taking offense to language is little more than defense on the part of the offended party... it blocks further discussion. You might as well tear down that useless door right from the start so you can keep on keepin' on.

I'm an atheist and I'm not personally offended easily.

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LOL at Doss... good answer.

Answer 5

I find the most respectful way to disagree with someone is to not say anything at all. They are entitled to their opinion and so are you. You don't need to make it known that you disagree and you don't need to try to change their mind. It is disrespectful to do that. You would basically be saying "you don't have a right to believe that and here's what you should believe". There is nothing wrong with listening to someone else's opinion and just realizing that everyone is different.

Answer 6

Just to say I dont talk about religion or politics is a way to do that or there are many other ways too do it politely and easily.

Answer 7

I guess they key is not to make them feel attacked. So you can use empathy, paraphrazing, and ask for clarification. For example: I have difficulty understanding your faith when it comes to this concept, can you explain that for me. or : i am curious to understand your way of thinking since you dont seem to base it on a particular faith, and as yo know, I am religious and see things according to blah, blah blah.

Answer 8

It truely depends on the disscussion. However, if they are telling me how my belief is 'wrong' I simply say "I'm sorry you feel that way."

If it's their lack of faith, and I was trying to offer consolation with faith only to be met with rejection and anger, then I simply ask them..."That's pretty much how I deal with things. Sorry I can't help more."

Answer 9

I sinply say that I am glad for them if their way of looking at things works for them in their life.
I honestly mean it when I say it and it usually is well received though some mistakenly have taken it as condensending.

Answer 10

Instead of giving advice on what phrasing works best, I can give advice on what phrasing to avoid.

Namely, avoid calling people names, and avoid calling their opinions "foolish," "closed-minded," "naive," "silly," and the like.

There is a particular group of people who could sure use this advice. That group is known as "atheists."

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