Is Lack of Belief the Best You Can Do?

[Neo-Scholastic]

Well if that is the case, then why, for crying out loud, don't you streamline your discussions/arguments to that line, rather than all the existential, "true meaning of reality" stuff?  It just seems like it would be more productive, especially if your goal is to persuade atheists into considering the God of Christianity...I just don't see how badgering empiricists into admitting that there may be some aspects of the universe beyond our comprehension accomplishes anything.  Frankly, it's irritating when executed in such a condescending tone.

I participate primarily in the philosophy threads and as such use more academic terms. Please remember that online conversation lacks the verbal inflections, facial expressions, and gestures needed to properly interpret a writer's tone. Generally, I avoid directly using 'you' and favor making my points referring instead to 'people' or 'someone'. I do this for a reason. In the past, overly sensitive members took these as personal attacks and accused me of maliciously speculating about their motivations. So, please, do not assume automatically that I am expressing contempt; although, I also find it annoying when atheists and evangelicals seem not to appreciate that philosophical inquiry is tradition. Many of the arguments for and against Divinity (and many other things besides) are responses or embellishments to previous positions, some going back to antiquity. My recent statements about existential choices, etc. are in fact a recognition that doxistic positions about God are not themselves fundamental; but rather logically follow from more basic epistemological commitments. If anything, I am signally my appreciation for the positions of philosophically serious atheists. They are not irrational; they simply have a different starting point for their inquiry. Second, I have no interest in persuading atheists of anything. I am however providing them with an opportunity to reflect on a different perspective that is immune to the arguments of convenience most use to justify their disbelief.