His 'god' allegedly doesn't like it when he lies, Rayaan.

You know how 'gods' are!

I actually enjoy Rayaans non-confrontational and non-offensive style. I may feel that a given belief of his is confrontational, or offensive, but I never get the feeling that he himself is either of those things. Makes it easier to talk to him than you. He also avoids posting deeply contradictory statements. I like his defense of faith. "That's what it says and I have faith" is untouchable, and honest. (of course he's probably argued for some ridiculousness in the past which I was fortunate enough to miss).

Oh, Rayaan definitely believes things I find ridiculous. However, what is so great about him is that he isn't pissed about my beliefs, which I am sure he finds ridiculous. His tolerance has done a lot to change people's minds about Islam around here. I can't say I was ever so confused as to think every Muslim is an intolerant cock, but I am sure people who meet Rayaan who did think that have had to think twice about their beliefs.

Longest "Goodbye" ever.

Pity the day has yet to come when we can all say "God-bye" and put away our imaginary friends and make this a better world to live in.

(September 27, 2011 at 12:46 pm)Shell B Wrote: Oh, Rayaan definitely believes things I find ridiculous. However, what is so great about him is that he isn't pissed about my beliefs, which I am sure he finds ridiculous.

No, I don't find your beliefs ridiculous. I just don't agree with some of them but I think 'ridiculousness' would be an exaggeration.

(September 27, 2011 at 12:46 pm)Shell B Wrote: His tolerance has done a lot to change people's minds about Islam around here.

Nah, I don't think so. But if I did change people's minds about Islam, it would be only through my arguments, not with my tolerance or attitude.

Quote:I am not opinionless. I have lot of opinions. Therefore, I am not "almost opinionless" either.

Plus, you don't know me better than I do.

I don't know you better that you do. But I know what I've read of you on these forums, and I see little opinion, or spine to defend your beliefs. You merely state them and back that up with "well I believe differently to you". You then bow out.

Quote:Tell me which opinion is a contradiction.

A contradiction is saying "oh no it isn't" without providing reasining for such. That's what I'm accusing you of.

Quote:A simplistic argument from design only? Wrong, because I have made several threads on the issue of God and Islam to defend my beliefs....

Discussing the merits of Mohammed had fuck all to do with your belief. You were defending the historicity.

Quote:So, your statement that I have "no reasoning to contend" was a lie. And I posted many other things about Islam in different threads. Not just these five threads.

Can you see what I'm saying? Defending the historicity is completely different to defending your beliefs.
I don't call the argument form design reasoning, and you haven't defended it, but merely stated it. You have an opinion (conceeded).

Quote:You can say that all my reasons are poor, yes, but you cannot say that I have "no" reasoning at all, because that is not true.

Can you point me to single examples rather than long threads to trawl through? I can't recollect another argument of yours. Surely you know what they are?

[quote]I think most of the atheists in this forum believe that ALL the religious members are deluded (to a certain extent). So, your statement applies to yourself also.

Straw man. I would hope that you and I rely upon convincing argument rather than blind dismissal (of those members here committing that error). If I see no reasoning how can I respect your position?

I treat everyone else the same, whatever their flavour of belief/ disbelief. If they have a valid reason then I can respect that. If they cannot offer reasoning I must assume that they have none.

Quote:And being non-offensive and non-confrontational is not a bad thing.

Absolutely

Quote:As for the culture part, you can say that about every other theist (including yourself). And again, I do have my own reasons for believing, which I stated above.

No absolutely not. You are religious and I'm not. There's a huge difference.
I follow zero % of the culture of Christianity. I am 100% Christian. I wasn't born into it, my surrounding culture opposes it. I have no family to oppose my resistance to Christianity. I don't go to church. I don't meet or mix with other Christians much.

No, you alluded to your opinion. Yet again you failed to stump up any.

(September 27, 2011 at 1:22 pm)Rayaan Wrote: But if I did change people's minds about Islam, it would be only through my arguments, not with my tolerance or attitude.

Sorry, sweety. I think you've got that backwards. No Muslim can argue their way out of Islam being, well, Islam. However, you can change stereotypes by behaving differently from what people would expect from a Muslim -- and you do.

(September 27, 2011 at 12:33 pm)Rhythm Wrote: He also avoids posting deeply contradictory statements.

Precisely: he avoids making statements that would challenge you.

(September 27, 2011 at 12:33 pm)Rhythm Wrote: I like his defense of faith. "That's what it says and I have faith" is untouchable, and honest.

Yes, I know you guys will bow out too if someone says: "yes, here is my demonstrably absurd reason, that's me".

To me I'm not interested in someone with no reasoning behind their position.

Wow, frodo needs a fuck.

(September 27, 2011 at 1:26 pm)Shell B Wrote: Sorry, sweety. I think you've got that backwards. No Muslim can argue their way out of Islam being, well, Islam. However, you can change stereotypes by behaving differently from what people would expect from a Muslim -- and you do.

Oh yeah, that I don't disagree with, because I know that it may change people's opinions on what they can expect from a Muslim, but not necessarily Islam itself.

In your previous reply, you said that I changed a lot of people's minds about Islam (which I disagree with). So I wanted to reply to that.