don't most religious debates turn into "nut uh" "uh huh" arguments?

Question

i have seen few debates that actually use imperical evidence, most are just analogies, and scripture quoting, which basically amounts to "nut uh, uh huh", have you seen any really good debates, using evidence?

Answer 1

Yes, in fact I've written some answers here that I'm pretty proud of, and have gotten some excellent answers from others. Lots of junk, too, of course; goes with the territory.

If a person cannot provide real evidence -- evidence the way a lawyer presents evidence to a jury -- for what they are asserting, then it's not a debate, it's just . . . well, as you say, "Is so!" "Is not!" over and over, the way children do.

I like to provide reasoned arguments, but there's seldom reference to actual facts (empirical evidence, as you suggest), because it's not usually that facts which are debated, but the implications drawn from the facts.

Since I was a philosophy major in college, specialized in ethics and took several interdisciplinary courses on religion as an academic study, I feel I have something to contribute . . . at least until the Old Timer's Disease catches up with me! LOL I'm already past being able to remember which philosopher said what, except that Descartes was responsible for "Cogito, ergo sum."

Answer 2

They turn into arguments because we have lost the art of debating. In some schools they teach debating which is an art form and historically has been useful in solving problems. We need to restore the form. Today people think it is like the Jerry Springer show.
1. State your premise:
2. Make your case.
3. Give your opponent an opportunity to respond.
4. Answer his questions
5. Give him a chance to respond.
Giving order to discussion would be a proper way to listen and understand others points of view. Even this form will change peoples mind in areas if they listen.

Answer 3

its not possible for them to not go that direction because christians have no true evidence. They have a book, that is hundereds of years old that cant itself even be proven as accurate. If all they have is an inaccurate book, and personal experience then how can they give proof? I have never once seen proof, actual proof. No piece of physical evidence beyond the bible
has ever been presented...they are grasping for something that doesnt exist, whereas atheists have science, credible evidence the disprove things such as the age of this earth, something in the bible disproved by science, credible source... i think they are gasping for air in a dying religion.

Answer 4

God is the final "uh huh" or "nut uh"...and He has provided all the evidence that is necessary to make an intelligent decision.

All our debating isnt going to amount to a hill of beans. It is what saith The LORD that will be the final determiner of TRUTH.

Answer 5

nut uh

;)

Couldn't resist.

I actually had a good debate with a highly religious person (who reads the bible constantly) vs me (who has never read the bible). While nothing ever gets achieved (from our belief standpoint) -- she did say that she went back and read from her bible and I was right on some topics and dead-wrong on others.

But then again -- it's still a man-made book ;)

Should throw in --
That's why it's called FAITH. Believers have faith that what they believe is true. Non-believers have proof (the existence of nothing) that state they are true (Non-believers don't have "faith" that what they believe is true -- they show that because a magical fairy doesn't appear in a burning bush before them to force them to their will... kinda says it all ;) ).

Good morning! =)

Answer 6

No - because religion has no evidence, thus it cannot produce any. Most debates are religionists trying to wiggle out from under the burden of proof, and atheists trying not to let them. Most observers have no grasp of logic, which is why they often buy the religionists' claims in the first place.

Answer 7

Honestly I think that there shouldn't be a debate. I am a christian but I think more explaining ur religion and ur beliefs is really what you count. Not sum stupid debate trying to win that ur religion is fully rite. Yeah I believe that my religion is rite because of the way the bible explains it. then if you just gently tell people like this is whats IN the bible then they should wonder that sumone in the history must of made up what they are believing. Debates just make enemies and the point is we want people to come to heaven so try and make friends! this is confusing I just hope that yo understand what i'm saying!

Answer 8

Technically, there is no evidence. All we have are a few books filled with stories. Before the stories were written down, they were passed down from generation to generation. So basically, people believe what they are told to believe. The arguments can never be anything more than circular.

Answer 9

There are many R&S debates about things that simply don’t matter.

We have the answers to the aspects of God that matter in our lives. Everything has been revealed that is necessary to begin a journey of faith. The rest is probably beyond our human understanding anyway. So what is the point of debate?

Answer 10

No. There is no absolute proof of a god in any religion to use as evidence, its all people argueing over nothing. Think what a nicer world this would be if we took out the evils of organised religion....