Why make stupid unsustainable arguments?

[TheRocketSurgeon]

I wanted to come back to this because this has to do with the OP. I firmly believe you are correct, the arguments listed cannot persuade a belief in God. My intent was to point out that belief in God is not irrational and can therefore be discussed in a reasonable manner and with respect. 

An interesting dynamic can be observed on both sides. 

There are Christians that think they can come in and with a little typing change your minds. I think all of them are sincere, These range from people who are sincere but unprepared (either factually or cognitively) to those that want to learn what the objections are and research and come back. The first group is frustrating to everyone else (including the second group). 

The very same thing happens with atheists. They think if they type "there is no evidence for gawd or jebus" that they win. They are often unprepared (either factually or cognitively). Some feel the need for shock, contempt, and/or derision.  Others know the arguments and can engage in a productive and civil dialog. 

A comment about the atheist that feels the need for shock, contempt, and/or derision toward theists or Christians in general: it is juvenile and shows a lack of character. Whether God exists or not and whether Christianity is true has been debated for millennium. There is nothing new that you can bring up that has not been discussed and written about to a staggering degree by people way smarter than those here (on both sides). There has been no new discovery that makes our generation more enlightened than the previous. You do not have a monopoly on truth. Intelligent people can agree to disagree with civility.

This is quite true, all of it, except for the lack of discovery-- numerous discoveries have been made in the last few years that are relevant to the subject of Biblical historicity, from the translation of the Gnostic texts to the work on archaeological sites. 

However, there are other reasons to speak to a Christian with contempt, aside from factual debate. Too often, a Christian will come here either ignorant of the fact that most of us are deeply familiar with the Bible, with common (and even rare) apologist arguments, and with the historical record. When they speak to us as though we are contemptible for being atheists, or ignorant because we do not consider a particular set of arguments valid, then we return that contempt-- only to listen to the poor, poor Christian scream about how they're oppressed by our hatred of Christianity. It's ridiculous! 

Many of us are married to Christians, best friends with Christians, along with members of a host of other religions. We have no more stake in disliking Christianity than any other set of beliefs, from magic-crystal "Woo-ists" to Muslims to Hindus to Taoists, et cetera. It is only in the face of poor argumentation and/or disrespect that the contempt comes out. Yes, we have some members who will treat anyone of any religious belief poorly, but it does not apply to the vast majority of us, and it is disingenuous to point to outliers as typifying atheism or "problems" with atheism, here or elsewhere.

Intelligent people can disagree with civility, no doubt... but intellectual dishonesty will be met with contempt. Count on it.