I will discuss religion with anyone who asks respectfully. Yes, I would listen.
How can I know what I would say until I heard what he had to say? Really, I can't imagine him saying anything new, but I would let him say it and discuss it. But I have my beliefs, too, so a discussion means it goes both ways.
atheist
2007-08-15 12:12:03
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answer #1
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answered by AuroraDawn 7
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I would do as I've done before in exactly that circumstance. He has always come to me wanting to discuss why I should convert to Christianity. Never have I gone to him or anybody else and suggested that they become atheists. His points usually center around the teachings of the bible which I have explained to him time and time again that I've already read and know what it says. We may get into a specific subject such as god creating everything in the universe. I simply explain to him that I realize that's what the bible says but I have seen no evidence to suggest that to be true. He will then say something like, "You don't need evidence if you have faith."
So the more we talk and the more drinks we have out on the patio watching the sunset, the farther apart we seem to drift as regards the way we see things. Do I have an open mind? I like to think so. But I have ever heard an argument before or I haven't. If I have, I likely have come to some form of conclusion of whether or not it makes sense to me. Just because my granddaughter keeps assuring me that Santa is real and each time I silently smile and let her enjoy her belief even though I really don't think that Santa exists, doesn't mean I do not have an open mind. It's just that I've looked at the question of Santa and have concluded that there is no reason for me to fantasize about him anymore.
2007-08-15 12:21:46
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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As a Buddhist, I am always open to learning about other people's beliefs. I do not discredit or try to void the beliefs of others. I can not prove that they are absolutely wrong, so why would I?
One of the smartest people I know on here is Father K. I always listen to what he has to say.
But if this professor starts discrediting my beliefs or the beliefs of others or condemning me or others for believing differently than he does, then I will walk away.
2007-08-15 12:11:29
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answer #3
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answered by Pangloss (Ancora Imparo) AFA 7
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I'm goint to assume you are referring to a Creationist. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. After breaking his circular reasoning with evidence for 45 minutes, he left in disgust. It was rather unfair -- the group of four students I was in contained a seminary student who could quote the Bible back, so he couldn't cherry pick Biblical quotes.
If it's just any theist professor, I've had a lot of fun discussing theology with various professors. I especially enjoyed being on a committee, literally, with a priest and a rabbi.
2007-08-15 12:15:15
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answer #4
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answered by novangelis 7
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The first. Although to be honest a wise theist professor might well be a professor of something unrelated to theology, like something in nuclear physics or French literature for example.
2007-08-15 12:17:43
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answer #5
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answered by Citizen Justin 7
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I would objectively listen and discuss...so long as he doesn't try to make my sayings void. If we could both have a rational discussion about God without resorting to name-calling or heated arguments, I would be very content.
2007-08-15 12:40:07
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answer #6
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answered by Stardust 6
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I actually had this situation in a law school class. The class was supposed to be about the Jewish Legal Philosophy, but the professor turned it into a religion class. He based most of his logical argument for the existence of God on the clockmaker argument. Near the end of class, when it became apparent that nobody else was going to call him on it, I set out his argument clearly, then asked him who or what created God. To be honest, I was annoyed at having to do it, since it was my last semester and I just needed the grade. But I felt it needed to be asked, so I went ahead and asked it.
2007-08-15 12:14:47
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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I'd pass.
Not so much "because I am so sure" of my own beliefs, but because I've played the "God debate" game long enough to know that:
1) it's the same old, long-debunked arguments in new wrappers, and more importantly
2) this sounds like the typical attention-starved guy trying to use me for his own entertainment, and I don't like the idea of being used.
2007-08-15 12:12:27
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Well, if anyone (and I mean anyone) can provide evidence that god exists, then it would not be a debate.
Of course evidence would have to be irrevocable evidence (not based on scripture or other ideas backed by faith).
That is the reason why theist are not scientist, because what they say can not be proved by facts, only by having faith (and if you do have faith, why do you need facts?).
2007-08-15 12:21:56
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answer #9
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answered by Makotto 4
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I will discuss it with anyone if they actually want to. Usually I can figure out if they 'actually' want to in the first few minutes of speaking with them and not just using it as an attempt to convert someone.
2007-08-15 12:17:45
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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