New here :)

[The Diplomat]

Hey all, I'm not an atheist but I love religious discussions. I call myself the diplomat because in these types of things i tend to think more logically than my fellow theists and won't shut everything out with conversation-ending type ultimatums (e.g., "You're going to hell anyway, why should I listen to you?") My signature displays my beliefs on about half of the stuff i wanted to put but it seemed to be too long as it is. What do you think?

[Edwardo Piet]

I call myself the diplomat because in these types of things i tend to think more logically[...]

How is diplomacy logical?

-Don't take the "Santa Claus" approach when debating with me. Constantly repeating that God isn't real is going to get nowhere.

Santa Claus is analogous to God: They can both be treated with Occam's Razor.

[theVOID]

Why do you believe in God?

[Autumnlicious]

-I don't believe witty sayings/quotes help either side's case
-I don't believe in the 'proof' that fellow theists will think is cool; if God could be proved, besides what's in the Bible, He wouldn't be God

This says it all.

[Minimalist]

i tend to think more logically than my fellow theists

Logic does not help if the premise is wrong.

[The Diplomat]

Nobody has anything worthwhile to say? I appreciate the welcome smiley the most seriously though, these replies are examples of what I hate in religious discussions.

[Edwardo Piet]

What's wrong with me asking why you seemed to equate logic to diplomacy?

What's wrong with me explaining the analogy between Santa Claus and God?

And now I wish to ask you, why do you state that you hate the replies but don't explain why?

[Minimalist]

Give us an example of what you "like."

[theVOID]

Nobody has anything worthwhile to say? I appreciate the welcome smiley the most seriously though, these replies are examples of what I hate in religious discussions.

I asked you a reasonable question....

Again, why do you believe in God?

[The Diplomat]

Ok, you're right, I should explain more about what i believe religious discussions should consist of.

Basically, everyone should be able to have a religious discussion without making personal attacks and/or getting angry at everyone. Atheists: if there's no god, why should you feel such a strong need to convince others that there isn't one? Let them have their naive beliefs, right? Theists: it's not your job to convert anybody, and nobody is making personal attacks (usually). No need to get angry.

I'm not saying there shouldn't be any religious debate, that's why I'm here; but it can be done without anybody believing that others' beliefs are loads of insufferable bill crap, because we all have gone through the stages of believing in the other "side".

Quoting my signature and claiming that that "says it all" is an example of replies I dislike. And bear in mind that when I say dislike, I mean replies that aren't good for the convo. For a good religious discussion to start, everyone has to kick back, grab a coke or whatever, and realize that the goal is to strengthen one's own beliefs, not convince others that they are correct.

Some make it their goal to convince others that their beliefs are the right ones. That's the response I predict I will get... May I ask why? I'm honestly wondering, I know it sounds like I'm making a point, but I really just want to hear your side.

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Sorry I didn't see your post there

I believe in God because of a lot of things, the one that atheists would care about the most being that I believe it's the most logical explanation for the universe.