I've just realised that I can't debate theists

[Gambit]

I think you just gave me the answer I've been looking for...

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Normally, when theists completely ignore reason and evidence I do get angry but can walk away. However, I have a vested interested in the person who inspired this post, so I can't afford to walk away or leave things as they are. One thing I have never actually considered is whether they place any importance on the evidence presented to them. So, subtlety might be the key here. I'm just going to break down their argument gently until they are actually capable of making informed decisions. I've went over in my mind the debate we were having, and the arguments they made were grounded in fear. I think I first need to take away that fear, before they will even consider listening to what I have to say.

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I'm glad something I said was helpful. If you found what I said useful, I'd highly recommend Evid3nc3's deconversion story on youtube. It's a long series of videos but it's thorough, clear and informative, so it's very much worth it. One of the things he covers late in the series is evidentialism which may be a useful starting point for you and your friend, particularly if they don't value physical evidence. He also gets into Biblical history, prayer, morality etc in addition to other things which I can't remember. He's a link to the playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA...ature=plcp

I have to say, I can't argue with that. Dan Savage's recent comments, when christian students walked out of his seminar, are a good example. If he had not called the students "pansy assed", christians would not have had an argument against what he was actually trying to get across. If you look at all the christian websites that responded to the video, they all zero in on that one comment.

Ah, I hadn't watched it until now. It can be tempting to add comments like that. Unfortunately it can take the attention away from the point, which, in this case, was the absurdity of Old Testament law and selective reading of it, and direct it toward (comparative) trivialities such as his choice of words.

Thanks, Tempus, I'm going to watch his videos on marathon.