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Staredit Network -> Serious Discussion -> How to argue with the most hardcore of Christians?
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Shapechanger on 2006-08-16 at 18:08:07
So I spend a good chunk of my time in Christian chatroom, Christian forums, etc. in an attempt to figure out what keeps them so tightly bound to their religion, that they throw aside any and all logic and evidence used against them. They never give up an arguement, they always think they've won when the opposition leaves, usually pissed as hell, and they look down on Athiests like myself with contempt.

So drawn into this intricate web of lies they are that nothing gets through to them. Yet how did they get so deep into this web? Was it their parents? A desperate want and need of an afterlife? Maybe they have to believe they're part of some grander scheme of the universe? I don't know...

Today, I found myself in an arguement with the most hardcore zealot I have ever met. He dismissed all science as either "lies" or "hoaxes" employed by the devil to lead us off the path of God.

The first arguement was such - He stated that fossils of sea creatures found in high altitude locations was undeniable proof that the story of Noah's Ark had occured on this Earth. To this, I responded that the world was almost, if not completely, sumberged during the Ice Age, because water expands when frozen. To this he responds that evolutionaries make up all sorts of crap to hide themselves from God, completely dodging a logical counter to my explanation.

Later, he asked me if I believed in Evolution, to which I replied "Yes". He then asked me if I believed all life on Earth started as a single cell, to which I also said yes. He then asked me how that single cell changed into the life that is on Earth today, so I started from the basics, explaining how each generation of said cell might have mutations, for better or for worse. He said he didn't believe in mutations and such, so I asked him if he had ever taken a basic biology class. He said yes, but also that he didn't believe a word of it. He asked me why those sorts of mutations didn't occur anymore, to which I pointed out that flies, do in fact, mutate very often. He simply acted like I didn't exist, and talked with somebody else.

Now, obviously I whooped his ass in this arguement, but I simply cannot understand why people would stand unwavering in the face of any evidence I throw at them. How does their mind work? I'm starting to think that religion is a defect of the mind, honestly, when I see people like this so tightly wrapped around their lies that they see no truth whatsoever. All science is a lie? A hoax? How could somebody be this stupid?

Now if you are a Christian, fine. Most Christians accept most science, though. If a Christian is reasonable, I have nothing against them. But the person I argued with earlier today was nothing short of a complete moron.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Doodan on 2006-08-16 at 18:30:09
They are attempting to defend a way of belief that they themselves don't understand. The REAL Christians I know of (and there aren't many) are open minded and their faith brings them peace. Even if they don't agree with what you believe, they are humble enough to know that they can never understand everything and choose not to hold grudges because of differing viewpoints.

The way I see it (and this comes from a little personal experience): A person lives in the cold cruel world and is often disheartened by the many terrible things that happen and that we humans do to each other. This person then finds comfort in religion and develops an unwavering loyalty for it because it makes this life bearable. Then, they try to teach their kids about religion as well, but it won't mean the same to them because they didn't "find it" on their own, they were sort of forced into it.

Kids that are raised by religious parents either rebel against their upbringing, or remain loyal to it, but don't fully understand themselves what the message of religion really is. They see the contradictions and don't know how to see past them, but at the same time they refuse to say anything that would possibly go against this great power that they fear and don't understand. No fun to argue with.

Well, that's what I think.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Oo.Jamal.oO on 2006-08-16 at 18:58:21
Personally, as I myself am Christian, I don't believe in abonymphomaniacely everything.


I believe in Science 100%, altough I do believe there is a god and an afterlife, and I do believe the one cell mutations. I believe that god must have made the 'BING BANG" or something because it had to come from somewhere, although its hard to think about how god was here in the first place... I'll not think about that cuz it hurts my head. Anyway I believe that Adam and Eve is merely a lesson, because as it says "God Created Adam in the likeness of Himself, and created Eve with one of his ribs." But then they had 2 sons, and one of htem killed eachother. But how would he have children? Well he went to the land of "Cod" or somewhere, and took a woman from there. Where the heck did the woman come from? I thought God just made Adam and Eve...? That's why I believe that. smile.gif That's all I have to say, don't hold anything against me. smile.gif
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Shapechanger on 2006-08-16 at 19:28:15
QUOTE(Doodan @ Aug 16 2006, 04:29 PM)
They are attempting to defend a way of belief that they themselves don't understand. The REAL Christians I know of (and there aren't many) are open minded and their faith brings them peace. Even if they don't agree with what you believe, they are humble enough to know that they can never understand everything and choose not to hold grudges because of differing viewpoints.

The way I see it (and this comes from a little personal experience): A person lives in the cold cruel world and is often disheartened by the many terrible things that happen and that we humans do to each other. This person then finds comfort in religion and develops an unwavering loyalty for it because it makes this life bearable. Then, they try to teach their kids about religion as well, but it won't mean the same to them because they didn't "find it" on their own, they were sort of forced into it.

Kids that are raised by religious parents either rebel against their upbringing, or remain loyal to it, but don't fully understand themselves what the message of religion really is. They see the contradictions and don't know how to see past them, but at the same time they refuse to say anything that would possibly go against this great power that they fear and don't understand. No fun to argue with.

Well, that's what I think.
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Hmmm, that's a very good explanation of it. But still, the disregard of science seems a bit too far....
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Vibrator on 2006-08-16 at 20:21:17
QUOTE(Shapechanger @ Aug 16 2006, 07:27 PM)
Hmmm, that's a very good explanation of it. But still, the disregard of science seems a bit too far....
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When someone is swinging at you with an axe you will always duck.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by MillenniumArmy on 2006-08-16 at 22:55:07
The only thing that science possibly conflicts with is creationism, not necessarily religion. I don't get why people, both religious and non religious, think that the creation of the world and such is the only thing that religion is about.

I'm religious, I love science; infact science is one of my better subjects too. Yes many scientists don't believe in creationism/intelligent design, but don't automatically assume that just because of that they are atheist/agnostic. Infact, even I myself don't believe the creationism/intelligent design described in the Bible completely.

Again, I really don't get these ppl. I blame it a little more on the religious side because its those fanatics that are giving the A-religious people out there the wrong idea.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Lord_Agamemnon(MM) on 2006-08-16 at 23:38:03
I'm an atheist. I believe that there is no God and that science can explain--well, if not everything, then darn close. I don't want to get into an argument of that now. My view, however, is that there's no reason to try converting everyone I know to atheism. Faith brings great comfort to some people, and if they sincerely believe it--well, it's their decision, not mine. As long as they don't try proselytizing me, I won't harass them. And it seems to work out quite nicely.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Rantent on 2006-08-17 at 03:28:10
QUOTE
When someone is swinging at you with an axe you will always duck.
Unless they swing from behind...
but to the point.

Ask him to explain how light works, or sound for that matter, if its all a hoax made up by demon worshipers, is the microwave a symbol of the devil?
Ask him why we test drugs on mice in order to cure diseases in humans if they are completely different shouldn't they be completely different in their reactions.
I can tell him that science is the faith that man is the master of his own destiny, and always has been, and if he cannot believe that our ancestors did things, (ancestors here meaning before humans all the way back to the beginning) and that they weren't done by some character in a book.... I'm not going to even finish that sentence, tell him to do logic problems for a while.

I don't think I can tolerate those who do not listen to others opinions. The people who see science and religion as a duel of forces do not understand either.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Stilth on 2006-08-17 at 08:03:00
This arguement is to one sided and full of false accusations.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Vampire on 2006-08-17 at 09:20:48
If anybody created a topic like this about jews it would probably get closed within a few seconds. But let me say a few things first.

1.Your post is offending me and my kind.
2.Your post is offending my religious beliefs.
3.Why do christians take all the blame for everything?
4.Like, what you said in that topic is not true about most people I know. It's just total bull crap.


ADDITION:
5.Thats like creating a topic about jews being cheap in serious discussion, the person would probably get suspended and warned like hell, but I guess theres no more equality in this world.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Lord_Agamemnon(MM) on 2006-08-17 at 10:09:29
We're not saying that ALL Christians are zealots. We're saying that some of them are, and that they can be difficult to argue with. You could say the same thing about Jews, or about Muslims; heck, if you said it about Muslims you'd probably get a chorus of people agreeing with you. Zealotry is a pretty universal phenomenon, but in this case Christians are the example that Shapechanger has brought up. If you think the discussion is one-sided and full of lies, then refute them. Don't just complain that we're offending you; show us why you think we're wrong.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by JaFF on 2006-08-17 at 11:10:31
QUOTE(Shapechanger @ Aug 17 2006, 01:07 AM)
So drawn into this intricate web of lies they are that nothing gets through to them. Yet how did they get so deep into this web? Was it their parents? A desperate want and need of an afterlife? Maybe they have to believe they're part of some grander scheme of the universe? I don't know...

Quite interesting question. I, for example, can't answer it. When I was asked "Why do you believe in God", I told "My life experience and my perception of the world made me think that God exists". I think it's kinda unexplainable, like love...
QUOTE(Shapechanger @ Aug 17 2006, 01:07 AM)
Today, I found myself in an arguement with the most hardcore zealot I have ever met. He dismissed all science as either "lies" or "hoaxes" employed by the devil to lead us off the path of God.

That person was either extremely stubborn, or stupid.
QUOTE(Shapechanger @ Aug 17 2006, 01:07 AM)
The first arguement was such - He stated that fossils of sea creatures found in high altitude locations was undeniable proof that the story of Noah's Ark had occured on this Earth. To this, I responded that the world was almost, if not completely, sumberged during the Ice Age, because water expands when frozen. To this he responds that evolutionaries make up all sorts of crap to hide themselves from God, completely dodging a logical counter to my explanation.

I believe that dinosaurs exist, and I believe that God exists. Those two things do not "disproove" eachother for me.
QUOTE(Shapechanger @ Aug 17 2006, 01:07 AM)
Later, he asked me if I believed in Evolution, to which I replied "Yes". He then asked me if I believed all life on Earth started as a single cell, to which I also said yes. He then asked me how that single cell changed into the life that is on Earth today, so I started from the basics, explaining how each generation of said cell might have mutations, for better or for worse. He said he didn't believe in mutations and such, so I asked him if he had ever taken a basic biology class. He said yes, but also that he didn't believe a word of it. He asked me why those sorts of mutations didn't occur anymore, to which I pointed out that flies, do in fact, mutate very often. He simply acted like I didn't exist, and talked with somebody else.

Dumb or stubborn, no doubt.
QUOTE(Shapechanger @ Aug 17 2006, 01:07 AM)
Now, obviously I whooped his ass in this arguement, but I simply cannot understand why people would stand unwavering in the face of any evidence I throw at them. How does their mind work? I'm starting to think that religion is a defect of the mind, honestly, when I see people like this so tightly wrapped around their lies that they see no truth whatsoever. All science is a lie? A hoax? How could somebody be this stupid?

I have met only one person approx. like that in my life. He denies everything that is not like him. He is stupid, and evil. He laughs at any other music style besides the one he listens to, he laughs at anything he does not do. (Quite funny, now he called all people who chat in the i-net "whores", but started chatting himself in about a year after that).
QUOTE(Shapechanger @ Aug 17 2006, 01:07 AM)
Now if you are a Christian, fine. Most Christians accept most science, though. If a Christian is reasonable, I have nothing against them. But the person I argued with earlier today was nothing short of a complete moron.

I think your argument with him was totally not connected to God, or religion. He was dumb/stubborn, so he would "disproove" anything you say with any crap that first comes into his not very bright head.

People are different. You just met such a moron that happened to believe in God. If he would believe in mushroom people, he would use them as the source of his arguments.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by CAFG4reals on 2006-08-17 at 11:14:06
when you are the majority, you do not get any special treatment. This is our make-shift counter to the inherent pluses you get out of just being the majority.
so yeh, christians dont get to throw pity parties.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Mini Moose 2707 on 2006-08-17 at 11:38:49
How do you argue with the most hardcore of Christians? By not wasting your time arguing with the most hardcore of Christians.

QUOTE(Vampire @ Aug 17 2006, 09:20 AM)
If anybody created a topic like this about jews it would probably get closed within a few seconds. But let me say a few things first.

5.Thats like creating a topic about jews being cheap in serious discussion, the person would probably get suspended and warned like hell, but I guess theres no more equality in this world.

Please, we use reason and logic here. If there was an argument like this about Jews that was as well constructed, it would be perfectly OK.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by yoni45 on 2006-08-17 at 12:53:14
QUOTE(Jamals2fat @ Aug 16 2006, 04:57 PM)
Personally, as I myself am Christian, I don't believe in abonymphomaniacely everything.
I believe in Science 100%, altough I do believe there is a god and an afterlife, and I do believe the one cell mutations. I believe that god must have made the 'BING BANG" or something because it had to come from somewhere, although its hard to think about how god was here in the first place... I'll not think about that cuz it hurts my head. Anyway I believe that Adam and Eve is merely a lesson, because as it says "God Created Adam in the likeness of Himself, and created Eve with one of his ribs." But then they had 2 sons, and one of htem killed eachother. But how would he have children? Well he went to the land of "Cod" or somewhere, and took a woman from there. Where the heck did the woman come from? I thought God just made Adam and Eve...? That's why I believe that. smile.gif That's all I have to say, don't hold anything against me. smile.gif
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For the record, I'm incredibly sure that Adam and Eve had more than 2 children, Cain and Abel were simply 2 of them, but there were others, ie, females...

a quick google search for "how many children did adam and eve have" brings up this as the first result:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/.../cains_wife.asp

smile.gif
Report, edit, etc...Posted by CAFG4reals on 2006-08-17 at 13:39:34
that was actually an enlightening read. I always just assumed the bible contradicted itself there, I gots learnded! I still think the missing day thing gg's it being infalable though.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Gradius on 2006-08-17 at 14:49:07
What most christians dont realize is that evolutionism and christianity can coexist. Lets face it. God had to create us somehow. Doesnt the bible say god created us out of the dust?
Report, edit, etc...Posted by MillenniumArmy on 2006-08-17 at 15:24:48
QUOTE(Gradius @ Aug 17 2006, 01:48 PM)
What most christians dont realize is that evolutionism and christianity can coexist. Lets face it.  God had to create us somehow.  Doesnt the bible say god created us out of the dust?
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I remember Pope John Paul II actually told the whole world that he accepted evolution, back in like 1997 or something. I believe he said evolution was fine as long as it was God who created the soul.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Tuxedo Templar on 2006-08-17 at 16:18:48
Doodan about nailed it. But I'll chime in and add one more bit: When an atheist is trying to work out with a religious person what is the truth and what isn't, realize they were doomed from the start. The problem is, as part of the reasons Doodan described, they're on an uneven ground for communication.

The real issue they'd need to address to even begin to work out the problem isn't religion versus non-religion. It isn't creationism vs. evolution. It's not even reason vs. faith. In fact, it's not even a difference between the two. It's that they're both doing the same thing: Rigidly asserting their views in an offensive stance. Neither of them are prepared or capable of listening in any meaningful way, and thus it'll basically just end up being whom can wear down whom by persistence (equivalent to a solution by force), which either leads to a stalemate, further seperation, or even despair.



The cruelty of this particular dilemma is that both parties are arguing on matters regarding their core values: The things they stake the very meaning of their existence upon. Therefore, for either party to be able to discuss on an even platform they'd literally have to be in the mindset to give up their own basis for existence to do so. What is further cruel about this is most people who've already set up their own existential platforms do so because they themselves know they'd be weak without them. And unforunately, this is a matter that can't get resolved by weak minds in the first place. Giving up their platforms of strength would make them so.



It's really a cruel trap in the first place, when you think about it. You can try to solve the matter forcefully, but realize the ones who capitulate to a forceful method only do so because they're weak enough to submit, and again, weakness is what is preventing the issue from being resolved.

Another of life's happy little catch 22s. closedeyes.gif
Report, edit, etc...Posted by O)FaRTy1billion on 2006-08-17 at 16:27:54
Ever seen thoes christian conversion websites (E.g.: this. Take a look and have a good laugh tongue.gif)? Its like they are trying to brainwash you.
And the funny thing is that their quizzes have answers like this:
QUOTE
]a) True
b) Not False


Also I know some people who have worked on thoes school fundraiser things where you go and sell coupon books or discount cards. They were saying that they were at a person's door, and she was getting her checkbook and writing the check when she asked something or somehow got onto the topic of going to church. When they said they didn't go, she shut the door right in their face.

I don't know much about christians, even though I did go to church until I was about 10 (I remember hiding from my mom on sundays... I eventually came up with staying up till 2 am so she couldn't wake me), but it seems some of them are very closed-minded. I am just glad they are not all that way. blink.gif
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Loser_Musician on 2006-08-17 at 16:34:40
The guy you talked to is in the same type of denial many religious people are in. Only difference is, his is more extreme.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Vi3t_X on 2006-08-17 at 16:40:10
Wow... i have no clue what you people are talking about!

Ignore the bottom part if you wish


> I am not a catholic
> I am not a jew
> I am not a christian
> What am I?


^Ignore the top part if you wish^


*read this part*

As you can see. Evolution may as well be true. You see, if God created us, what is.. well... *BANG BANG BANG* for? Seriously. If he created us, we would pop out of the middle of nowhere! Also another statement. Science has proven to us that we have evolved from strange but true things. We began as stars, which exploded (big bang) and thus created planets and moons (smaller planets). With the death of the stars and the creation of planets, life was born and thus existance is brought. A meteor hit the earth bringing life forms possibly galixies away, and created bacteria, which soon evolved into other species, and gradually evolving into higher forms, to addapt to their environment.

Bacteria > Flies > Fish/Crocs > Homoarectus > Homosapiens (us)

Thank You for listening to my long ass speach im only 10 tongue.gif
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Vi3t_X on 2006-08-17 at 16:40:10
Wow... i have no clue what you people are talking about!

Ignore the bottom part if you wish


> I am not a catholic
> I am not a jew
> I am not a christian
> What am I?


^Ignore the top part if you wish^


*read this part*

As you can see. Evolution may as well be true. You see, if God created us, what is.. well... *BANG BANG BANG* for? Seriously. If he created us, we would pop out of the middle of nowhere! Also another statement. Science has proven to us that we have evolved from strange but true things. We began as stars, which exploded (big bang) and thus created planets and moons (smaller planets). With the death of the stars and the creation of planets, life was born and thus existance is brought. A meteor hit the earth bringing life forms possibly galixies away, and created bacteria, which soon evolved into other species, and gradually evolving into higher forms, to addapt to their environment.

Bacteria > Flies > Fish/Crocs > Homoarectus > Homosapiens (us)

Thank You for listening to my long ass speach im only 10 tongue.gif
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Vi3t_X on 2006-08-17 at 16:40:10
Wow... i have no clue what you people are talking about!

Ignore the bottom part if you wish


> I am not a catholic
> I am not a jew
> I am not a christian
> What am I?


^Ignore the top part if you wish^


*read this part*

As you can see. Evolution may as well be true. You see, if God created us, what is.. well... *BANG BANG BANG* for? Seriously. If he created us, we would pop out of the middle of nowhere! Also another statement. Science has proven to us that we have evolved from strange but true things. We began as stars, which exploded (big bang) and thus created planets and moons (smaller planets). With the death of the stars and the creation of planets, life was born and thus existance is brought. A meteor hit the earth bringing life forms possibly galixies away, and created bacteria, which soon evolved into other species, and gradually evolving into higher forms, to addapt to their environment.

Bacteria > Flies > Fish/Crocs > Homoarectus > Homosapiens (us)

Thank You for listening to my long ass speach im only 10 tongue.gif
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Vi3t_X on 2006-08-17 at 16:40:10
Wow... i have no clue what you people are talking about!

Ignore the bottom part if you wish


> I am not a catholic
> I am not a jew
> I am not a christian
> What am I?


^Ignore the top part if you wish^


*read this part*

As you can see. Evolution may as well be true. You see, if God created us, what is.. well... *BANG BANG BANG* for? Seriously. If he created us, we would pop out of the middle of nowhere! Also another statement. Science has proven to us that we have evolved from strange but true things. We began as stars, which exploded (big bang) and thus created planets and moons (smaller planets). With the death of the stars and the creation of planets, life was born and thus existance is brought. A meteor hit the earth bringing life forms possibly galixies away, and created bacteria, which soon evolved into other species, and gradually evolving into higher forms, to addapt to their environment.

Bacteria > Flies > Fish/Crocs > Homoarectus > Homosapiens (us)

Thank You for listening to my long ass speach im only 10 tongue.gif
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