Why do you invent dishonest strawman arguments. I know of no one who claims anything evolved from nothing. Nor does anyone I know claim evolution proves atheism. If you feel you need to lie about what others claim in order to justify your belief, you need to examine why you are lying.
2007-07-19 01:31:05 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A straw man argument is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position. To "set up a straw man" or "set up a straw-man argument" is to create a position that is easy to refute, then attribute that position to the opponent. A straw-man argument can be a successful rhetorical technique (that is, it may succeed in persuading people) but it is in fact a misleading fallacy, because the opponent's actual argument has not been refuted.
Its name is derived from the practice of using straw men in combat training. In such training, a scarecrow is made in the image of the enemy with the single intent of attacking it.[1] It is occasionally called a straw dog fallacy,[2] scarecrow argument, or wooden dummy argument.
2007-07-19 01:35:31 · update #1
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Akoid.swO2oBo4OY1J88FzTsy6IX?qid=20070718120617AAYp674&show=7#profile-info-f31faed2d88ce777c90d972b1e01cf40aa
2007-07-19 01:39:52 · update #2
Booth: Who says anything at all was created? Maybe reality is simply based upon something necessary and eternal. Did you even think of that possibility?
2007-07-19 02:54:36 · update #3
Martin: Evolution is NOT random.
2007-07-19 02:57:36 · update #4
I don't think they are doing it intentionally, sadly they're just that ignorant. One of my biggest pet peeves is the idea that evolution is somehow the antithesis of Christianity. There are quite a few Christians out there who accept and even enjoy science, just not so many on this website.
They use the strawman argument because that's what they were taught evolution is. Of course in that mindset they are not going to "buy into" it, but unfortunately they won't listen to correct science either because they think we're all part of an evil atheist conspiracy. Even me, and I'm not even an atheist!
2007-07-19 01:51:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The eloquent cut and paste above, is a perfect example of science in action. He has listed a hypothesis that there is a level of irreducable complexity that exists in life. This seems like a huge problem for the theory of evolution at first glance. However making that statement makes one big assumption.
That is the 'parts' that make up a complex system were always the same. Taking the example of a mousetrap, if you were to look at all the parts as they exist in a trap, it is easy to say that they have no other purpose. But what if the swing arm on the mousetrap was a little different in the past and served a different purpose, until after may mutations, it took on the appearance of a swing arm? That is afterall how evolution works.
Scientists are finding examples of complex components serving alternate purposes often.
I have included a link below, I'll save you the cut and paste, but it is quite interesting, and once again drives holes in the intelligent design stake in the ground.
Hope this helps Martin.
Assigning creation to something without any evidence of existence is not a tennable stance.
2007-07-19 02:19:01 · answer #2 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not expect that everyone who represents themselves as a "Christian" is an official spokesman for that faith.
Some people who argue religious questions on forums like this are socially and spiritually immature. They may have been indoctrinated in a particular way and may never have been exposed to other points of view. It is my experience that people who are insecure in their own faith are frequently dogmatic and argumentative.
Also, religious people have been known to justify every sort of inconsistent behavior on their own part. (For instance, I know a young person who has represented herself as more devout than others who has moved in with a boyfriend. Not long ago she would have said this was sinful -- if you were doing it.) It is not surprising that someone might disrespect your opinion while affirming Christian love and brotherhood. Disappointing, yes, but not uncommon.
There is no shortage of ignorant people in the world. I suggest that you just ignore comments that are bigoted or intolerant or otherwise not helpful --regardless of the faith "label" that the author claims.
2007-07-19 02:29:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is this strawman argument? As for those who say we Christians need to provide proof regarding our beliefs I guess getting you to understand "Blind Faith" isn't a good enough answer, huh?
I'll say this....
Most unbelievers try to attack our beliefs by saying basically it's all made up. The thing of it is this, we live in a microwave ready kind of world, and no one wants to wait for anything. We all demand answers NOW and if they don't come when we want them, in the manner in which we prefer them, than anything that comes from our (Christians) mouths is useless, made up and makes no sense. How can those of us who are spiritual explain "blind faith" to those who are in the natural (flesh)? We as Christians don't have all the answers yet just as all other beliefs or lack thereof don't have ALL the answers either. Learn to wait!! Us Christians have to "wait" on the Lord and so will the rest of you. God is going to reveal all things in His timing, not yours and not mine, no matter how badly us Christians may want God to show up, perform a great miracle and shove the unbelievers faces in the dirt. So sit tight and pick a new arguement until then. God bless.
2007-07-19 01:36:12 · answer #4 · answered by Gir 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It seems to me that many, certainly not all, repeat the arguments that they have heard from the leaders or even the people that convinced them.
If we could trace these arguments back to the few sources that started them, we would find that they either did not understand the opposing view or had no REAL argument to make.
2007-07-19 02:03:59 · answer #5 · answered by Crabby Patty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably for the same reason that atheists use dishonest straw-man arguments to find "contradictions" in the Bible or religious theology.
Maybe they simply do not take the time to properly learn the subject matter.
2007-07-19 01:43:27 · answer #6 · answered by Randy G 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, it's not just Christians. It's everybody.
The vast majority of us are completely ignorant of the dying arts of rhetoric and logic.
2007-07-19 01:57:45 · answer #7 · answered by Patrick J 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christians (Followers of Christ), as with any religion, are based on a personal relationship with God. Other peoples or other religions are irrelevant to ones beliefs.
2007-07-19 01:43:55 · answer #8 · answered by jimmymae2000 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The first thing you need to know is that lying is a sin; You need to speak to this person and have them know that or remind them. Jesus Christ is our faith and our creator...there is no lying in his word and his faith. Pray to Go him and he will guide you to heaven.
And for someone lying to you or anyone else, pray for that person and tell them how God will guide you the truth.
2007-07-19 01:42:01 · answer #9 · answered by Jacqueline C 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When straw is all you got you learn to make due.
2007-07-19 01:34:26 · answer #10 · answered by UpChuck 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋