What way would you have a christian approach you with a question for honest debate? It seems like many people here seem to get riled up really easily. Do you immediately get leery of answering a question if you sense it is being asked by a christian and assume you will be rebuffed or ridiculed?
And the same question applies for Christians in reverse of course.
2007-10-23 15:32:56 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I was on a plane once and a Christian evagelical minister sat next to me. I just happened to be reading Darwin's Dangerous Idea by Daniel Dennet. During a moment when I put the book down (it requires a lot of thinking through), the minister politely asked about it. He was very polite. I think he thought it might be a book supporting creationism, which it is NOT. I politely explained that it's a philosophy book in support of evolution. And then the conversation got interesting.
To our mutual credit, we didn't yell, and he didn't try to convert me, although he said in no uncertain terms that he strongly disagreed with evolution. I also didn't try to persuade him either. I asked a few questions about his ministry. He was not very interested in my background, though. But still, it was a polite exchange between a classic evangelical preacher and a serious philosophically inclined atheist. Neither of us persuaded the other. And he was a little uncomfortable, I think. But I wished him well when I got off, and he was equally polite.
It is possible to disagree politely, but everyone has to be willing to do that. You might say, it's the Christian thing to do!
2007-10-23 15:48:14 · answer #1 · answered by kwxilvr 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I guess I get riled up so easily because everytime I attempt to answer an innocent question that I think might lead to honest debate, it's usually meant as an opening for proving how stupid I am to not believe and then leads directly into preaching to me by quoting the bible, assuming I don't know what Christianity and the bible are, and belittling me for being a "heathen." So I unconsciously go on the defensive.
I think the same thing applies when an atheist asks an innocent question of a Christian.
2007-10-23 23:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could have just said to "all non Christians". That would by default include atheists as well.
I'm agnostic. I don't have a problem with warm approaches by Christian people who have a genuine concern for others. I'm turned off by self-righteousness, dogmatic answers (ie. when confronting someone with the question if God could create a stone too heavy for Him to lift, a Christian I knew just dismissed it. Descartes had a good answer to that question though). Christians ought to approach to share, not to debate or win an argument (and the ones who do, do so horribly). That is quite off putting. I know many Christians who are painful to be around, but I know a few whom don't follow this rigid construct.
2007-10-23 22:39:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had several discussion about religions with a catholic friend or even with my sister whose a christians.
Although i tend to start these conversations, they also started some, by telling me a certain verse in the bible and how they inteprete it.
I don't mind getting into serious discussion like whether the Bible is a literary or a figurative device and such. But, to have a discussion, both sides need to have an open mind and heart.
However, I do not see many of these in the questions asked and I answered rather sarcatically at those who condemns everyone to Hell on the behalf of their All Loving God
2007-10-23 22:45:18 · answer #4 · answered by Dumbguy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I long for honest debate with some of the people from this site. There are times when I'll say outrageous or insulting things just to try to get a debate started, but the responses are very few and far between.
2007-10-23 22:40:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I am approached in a respectful manner I.E. Would you like to hear about ____... I will either say "Sure let's debate" or "No not interested" depending on the amount of time I have available...
When I say "No, not interested." that's your que to say "Ok, maybe another time." Unfortunately more often than not my simple "No, not interested" is met with "You are going to burn in hell" or "Jesus is love, accept him or burn in hell."
It's not a question of being rebuffed or ridiculed, it's a question of respecting others.. The vast majority of christians who approach me show no respect... When confronted with a polite "No, not interested." they immediately attack..
2007-10-23 22:46:09 · answer #6 · answered by Diane 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am willing to have a reasonable discussion with anyone, provided they approach me with respect. However, it has been my experience with true believers that once they hear the word "atheist," they go into Savior Mode, and begin addressing me as though they were addressing a slightly retarded child who just needs some schoolin'. At that point, all reasonable discussion is no longer possible. Although I normally treat people with courtesy, at the point when the preaching starts (and it ALWAYS starts), I go into Smart-A** Mode. Or I walk away. Life is too short.
2007-10-23 23:05:26 · answer #7 · answered by link955 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I try not to assume anything about the questioner. I've made the mistake of giving a snappy answer to an honest question, and I regret it.
oh- I'm pagan by the way
2007-10-23 23:14:05 · answer #8 · answered by xx. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would rather not be approached with the intent of a debate...Christians are entitled to their beliefs, I am entitled to mine. I accept the differences. There is no need for me to argue or try to prove I am right.
2007-10-23 22:39:18 · answer #9 · answered by MOL 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't approach anyone on the subject of religion unless they bring it up first. I am Muslim and proud of who I am. I also have respect for other religions so for me its not a tug of war fight (mine is better, no mine is, no mine is...) but a means of learning what the other person view point is. As long as people are not rude, abusive or insolent its ok. Everyone in life has a choice and if you are happy with the path you choose that's fine.
2007-10-23 22:44:24 · answer #10 · answered by bella 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋