I would like to start by thank Cinjin for the opportunity for this debate. As there are no word limits or reference rules, we’re attempting to keep this informally formal. I’m also going to attempt to keep my walls of text as brief as possible so on that note…
Opener-
In this debate I would like to clearly establish the fact that Love and Fear, as referenced in the Bible towards God, are compatible. This should start where any good debate starts with definitions. While there is rarely a good 1=1 transition from one language to another I believe modern definitions include the intent I’m trying to convey. From Webster’s online dictionary (1) to love is to hold dear, like or desire, thrive in, or feel affection for. To fear (2) is to have a reverential awe of. It could also be used to mean to be afraid or apprehensive of, which my opponent will undoubtedly try and sell.
1- Let me start by asking the audience a question could you ever desire something you are in awe of?
When something is awe inspiring it is impressive, remarkable and overwhelming by definition. It doesn’t necessarily have to be good or bad awe. Those are attributes we attach higher value to in the consumer world.
2- Let’s look at the opposite. Would you hold dear or desire something that is unimpressive and ordinary?
Possibly you could, but which is more valuable a shiny new $10,000 Rolex or a generic POS Wal-Mart $10 watch? Even if your $10 watch is more valuable to you, it’s not because it’s an ordinary watch. It would be because of some intrinsic values you’ve attached to it making it unique and dear to you.
3- There are various reasons to hold something in awe. The reason is based entirely on the attributes of the object in question. I am in awe of war and the holocaust. I am also in awe of the beauty in nature and the vastness of space. Both cause me to pause and take notice. War causes me anguish and to seek recompense, nature causes joy and a desire for more.
Clearly to love God and fear God are compatible if the object’s (God) attributes are positive. I realize that the assumption of the atheist is that God doesn’t exist or if the Abrahamic God were to exist he would be evil. My opinion is that God is good. Both opinions are bias as clearly you can both love an fear something regardless of your feeling about the object.
Opener-
In this debate I would like to clearly establish the fact that Love and Fear, as referenced in the Bible towards God, are compatible. This should start where any good debate starts with definitions. While there is rarely a good 1=1 transition from one language to another I believe modern definitions include the intent I’m trying to convey. From Webster’s online dictionary (1) to love is to hold dear, like or desire, thrive in, or feel affection for. To fear (2) is to have a reverential awe of. It could also be used to mean to be afraid or apprehensive of, which my opponent will undoubtedly try and sell.
1- Let me start by asking the audience a question could you ever desire something you are in awe of?
When something is awe inspiring it is impressive, remarkable and overwhelming by definition. It doesn’t necessarily have to be good or bad awe. Those are attributes we attach higher value to in the consumer world.
2- Let’s look at the opposite. Would you hold dear or desire something that is unimpressive and ordinary?
Possibly you could, but which is more valuable a shiny new $10,000 Rolex or a generic POS Wal-Mart $10 watch? Even if your $10 watch is more valuable to you, it’s not because it’s an ordinary watch. It would be because of some intrinsic values you’ve attached to it making it unique and dear to you.
3- There are various reasons to hold something in awe. The reason is based entirely on the attributes of the object in question. I am in awe of war and the holocaust. I am also in awe of the beauty in nature and the vastness of space. Both cause me to pause and take notice. War causes me anguish and to seek recompense, nature causes joy and a desire for more.
Clearly to love God and fear God are compatible if the object’s (God) attributes are positive. I realize that the assumption of the atheist is that God doesn’t exist or if the Abrahamic God were to exist he would be evil. My opinion is that God is good. Both opinions are bias as clearly you can both love an fear something regardless of your feeling about the object.
"There ought to be a term that would designate those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus, since the word 'Christian' has been largely divorced from those teachings, and so polluted by fundamentalists that it has come to connote their polar opposite: intolerance, vindictive hatred, and bigotry." -- Philip Stater, Huffington Post
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
