Please give me evidence for God.

[IATIA]

I am sure he was speaking of theists in general.  They are not here to agree with us.

Well then maybe it's better not to quote me and say "you" if he doesn't actually mean ME.

I try to use "one" or "they", but in general one tends to use "you" even though it is not necessarily directed at a specific individual.

For the same reason a theist shows up on an atheist forum.  And most theist sites will dump an atheist like a hot potato.

Theists show up on an atheist forum to ask theists a question about theism?

Theists show up on an atheist forum to ask questions of the opposing view.

[Catholic_Lady]

Well then maybe it's better not to quote me and say "you" if he doesn't actually mean ME.

I try to use "one" or "they", but in general one tends to use "you" even though it is not necessarily directed at a specific individual.

Theists show up on an atheist forum to ask theists a question about theism?

Theists show up on an atheist forum to ask questions of the opposing view.

Yes, it makes perfect sense to come to an atheist forums to ask atheists about atheism. Coming to an atheist forum to ask theists about theism, however, just seems a little counter productive.

[Foxaèr]

I do not need to ask theists about theism. I already understand it better than them.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

And what spiritual proclamations were those? Considering there have only been 2 papal proclamations in the history of the Church, I doubt he was one who made one.

Well, that's not precisely true. Pontiffs issue Papal Proclamations with almost as much regularity as I change my socks. Strictly speaking, every time the Pope issues a bull or an edict, it counts as a Proclamation, as when Francis proclaimed that 2015-2016 would be 'The Holy Year Of Mercy'.

But you're largely correct in that the infallibility of pontifical pronouncements is very, VERY rare and there are only two universally considered at such: The Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary (I'm fairly sure than canonization of saints falls under the infallibility doctrine as well). There are other doctrines that some theologians consider ex cathedra and others do not.

So, yes - the prostitute riding pope (sounds like Alexander VI) never spoke infallibly.

Boru

[Catholic_Lady]

Yes, I was referring to infallible proclamations. We never claimed that the rest isn't subject to error.

[The Grand Nudger]

Yes, it makes perfect sense to come to an atheist forums to ask atheists about atheism. Coming to an atheist forum to ask theists about theism, however, just seems a little counter productive.

Why?  Atheists are -demonstrably- more knowledgeable than theists, in that regard. If someone relied upon you, for example, to expound upon catholic doctrine and principles...they;d end up no better than they would had they made it all up whole-cloth themselves....as you seem to have done.

[God of Mr. Hanky]

CL, I've run into more than a handful of theists, including you, since I joined this forum in December, and none of you have presented one single shred of evidence for your beliefs. If you think you have valid evidence, then why do you need to surround us tag-team style in order to make what you say appear credible? I think you know us well enough that when there's evidence, then we pay attention. It's when people attempt to substitute argument for the missing evidence that we laugh.

I have made it very clear that I don't have evidence, and I'm not sure what you mean about me surrounding you tag team style. 

I just don't understand why people ask questions like that on an atheist forum, that's all. There are so many better places to ask theist questions than on an atheist forum.

CL, I know you don't have evidence, and still you believe. Therefore, I have to ask why do you think people who constitute the majority of religious forums have better evidence than you (zero)? Why would you be sending a 14-year-old into these groups other than to be ambushed with so much pointless argument that one of lesser intellectual strength than this one has (which I find to be most impressive for his age) would end up agreeing, because "reasons"? Is that what you find better about religious forums for dealing with such questions?

There are more than enough theists right here on this forum, and they are probably the best among those who would be hanging out on other forums when it comes to arguing their position with anything better than quoting bible verses or just resorting to "because (such and such) said so". They get a fair shot, just as you have, at convincing the skeptical when they come here, while on forums where they are at home they need not presume a skeptical audience - therefore, no better evidence to be seen on their home turf.

[Simon Moon]

I try to use "one" or "they", but in general one tends to use "you" even though it is not necessarily directed at a specific individual.


Theists show up on an atheist forum to ask questions of the opposing view.

Yes, it makes perfect sense to come to an atheist forums to ask atheists about atheism. Coming to an atheist forum to ask theists about theism, however, just seems a little counter productive.

Not at all.

As I pointed out in my reply to you back in post #55, having honest back and forth discussions on theist forums as an atheist is next to impossible, since banning is almost inevitable for doing nothing more than pointing out flaws in theist's arguments.

Since theists get banned a lot less on atheist forums, discussing theism with theists on an atheist forum seems to be the best option.

[Catholic_Lady]

Yes, it makes perfect sense to come to an atheist forums to ask atheists about atheism. Coming to an atheist forum to ask theists about theism, however, just seems a little counter productive.

Not at all.

As I pointed out in my reply to you back in post #55, having honest back and forth discussions on theist forums as an atheist is next to impossible, since banning is almost inevitable for doing nothing more than pointing out flaws in theist's arguments.

Since theists get banned a lot less on atheist forums, discussing theism with theists on an atheist forum seems to be the best option.

Fair enough. Nonetheless, forums aren't the only place to look for answers to something you want to gather info on. If you have a questions to theists about theism, an atheist forum still seems like a counter productive place to look for those answers, imho. You can take out books, do research online, call a church and ask if the pastor is open to meeting with you and answering questions, etc. Any of those seem like better options than an atheist forum. If you disagree with that, then I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[God of Mr. Hanky]

You can take out books, do research online, call a church and ask if the pastor is open to meeting with you and answering questions, etc. Any of those seem like better options than an atheist forum. If you disagree with that, then I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Text bolded by me.

Re bolded text: I've been there and done that. Looking back, the response I got was nothing to warrant surprise. The Methodist minister, who I had not previously met, was recommended based on his local reputation for his knowledge and open attitude toward the ideas and practices of multiple world religions, and he did agree to meet with me. As soon as I questioned why I should believe any of them really know anything on an actual god, much less a "One True God™" our meeting ended abruptly. I had already done my own research on other world relgions and my knowledge of multiple Christian sects was from my upbringing. None of my questions were answered, the meeting was a complete waste of time for both of us.

It wasn't until I began seeking assistance with evaluating my employment potential through a federal agency that I met a veteran with PTSD and his aunt, both with high intelligence and inquisitive understanding for people who were living on welfare that I finally began to learn a few things about our fantasies of a Big Daddy in the sky.