Just today, a few hours ago, I had a guy ask me what religion I was. I told him I was an atheist. This began a discussion that went on for about fifteen minutes. I told him that I once believed in God but over the course of several months I came to realize that there was no evidence for any god. That was ten years ago.
The response was, "You should not need evidence. He does not need evidence. He is above requiring such things. He demands faith."
I warned him that he best not get into a debate with me on god because he can't win, at least not in the objective, analytical sense. Still, he talked about the Bible and how it is a necessary moral guide. I asked him about the Bible's advocacy of slavery, as well as the stoning of unruly children. He told me that he ignores those parts. I told him that I ignore all the parts, just like I would ignore a person who seems friendly and moralistic at first, until he professes his approval of slavery. He is then seen as entirely unethical, which in turn fits with my moral beliefs.
He asked me how I can turn my back on Jesus, someone who died for my sins. I told him that there is no evidence of that happening, and besides, how does being crucified an act of "dying for my sins", especially since he did not stay dead.
I think I hit him with concepts he had never considered. Still, I doubt I ushered a Christian onto a path to atheism. He walked away with a perplexed, confused smile on his face. Hey, I warned him.
The response was, "You should not need evidence. He does not need evidence. He is above requiring such things. He demands faith."
I warned him that he best not get into a debate with me on god because he can't win, at least not in the objective, analytical sense. Still, he talked about the Bible and how it is a necessary moral guide. I asked him about the Bible's advocacy of slavery, as well as the stoning of unruly children. He told me that he ignores those parts. I told him that I ignore all the parts, just like I would ignore a person who seems friendly and moralistic at first, until he professes his approval of slavery. He is then seen as entirely unethical, which in turn fits with my moral beliefs.
He asked me how I can turn my back on Jesus, someone who died for my sins. I told him that there is no evidence of that happening, and besides, how does being crucified an act of "dying for my sins", especially since he did not stay dead.
I think I hit him with concepts he had never considered. Still, I doubt I ushered a Christian onto a path to atheism. He walked away with a perplexed, confused smile on his face. Hey, I warned him.
