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Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
#1
Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
I always get this one in a debate. I ask them for evidence and they tell me "You are evidence"! How would someone combat this one?
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#2
RE: Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
My usual counter to this type of nonsense is to ask what a non-designed universe would be like, or non-designed life forms.

If they produce an answer, ask them how they possibly know this. "Source: my ass"

If they can't produce an answer, which is the most common outcome, then ask them how they determined that you are evidence with nothing to compare you against.

We recognize design by comparison to non-design. If they can't produce any example of non-design, they are simply making an unnecessary assumption that "everything is designed". It is well established that we evolved, in a way that is consistent with no intervening agent. All that is left is abiogenesis, and if they want to yell "it's magic" then leave them to it.

If we were evidence of design (which we are not) it would be a designer who is incompetent, and goes about things in the most laborious manner possible to allow the greatest number of things to go wrong in the process.

All the theist is really saying is "I can't imagine all this coming about without a designer". The argument from personal incredulity. Truth doesn't depend on who can imagine it.
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#3
RE: Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
Evidence of what?  Shitty design?  What does that say about their fucking god?
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#4
RE: Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
(March 7, 2016 at 3:33 pm)GeneralDog Wrote: I always get this one in a debate. I ask them for evidence and they tell me "You are evidence"! How would someone combat this one?

Why would you try to combat a statement that isn't an argument? You need to ask for elaboration before it can even become one, and then you can combat.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition

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#5
RE: Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
(March 7, 2016 at 3:46 pm)Alex K Wrote:
(March 7, 2016 at 3:33 pm)GeneralDog Wrote: I always get this one in a debate. I ask them for evidence and they tell me "You are evidence"! How would someone combat this one?

Why would you try to combat a statement that isn't an argument? You need to ask for elaboration before it can even become one, and then you can combat.

Usually when I ask for an explanation I get them repeating what they said and asking if they stuttered. :/
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#6
RE: Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
(March 7, 2016 at 3:50 pm)GeneralDog Wrote:
(March 7, 2016 at 3:46 pm)Alex K Wrote: Why would you try to combat a statement that isn't an argument? You need to ask for elaboration before it can even become one, and then you can combat.

Usually when I ask for an explanation I get them repeating what they said and asking if they stuttered. :/

I'm with Alex. "You are evidence" is simply the belief without proof. Repeating themselves only demonstrates their limited reasoning ability. Might want to terminate the discussion at that point.
I don't have an anger problem, I have an idiot problem.
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#7
RE: Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
Appendix that exists solely to contract lethal appendicitis. Some design.
I am John Cena's hip-hop album.
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#8
RE: Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
Am I...lol?   If that's the case, then I think they're going to be disappointed when they finally meet the god who made me.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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#9
RE: Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
(March 7, 2016 at 4:13 pm)ApeNotKillApe Wrote: Appendix that exists solely to contract lethal appendicitis. Some design.

Actually, it turns out that it may have a purpose.

Research performed at Winthrop University-Hospital showed that individuals without an appendix were four times more likely to have a recurrence of Clostridium difficile colitis. The appendix, therefore, may act as a "safe house" for commensal ("good") bacteria. This reservoir of gut flora could then serve to repopulate the digestive system following a bout of dysentery or cholera.
You make people miserable and there's nothing they can do about it, just like god.
-- Homer Simpson

God has no place within these walls, just as facts have no place within organized religion.
-- Superintendent Chalmers

Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. There are some things we don't want to know. Important things.
-- Ned Flanders

Once something's been approved by the government, it's no longer immoral.
-- The Rev Lovejoy
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#10
RE: Theist "You are Evidence" argument.
Some negligible benefit isn't going to do you much good after it bursts and kills you though, is it?
I am John Cena's hip-hop album.
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