Attn: Christians, We've Heard Them Already

[John V]

It's not only what I'd like to do, it's what I am doing. I'm not interested in any further discussion on apologetics I've already debunked. You may as well complain that I'm discouraging discussion on the flat earth theory, or geocentrism, or other long resolved issues.

Your positions seem to be inconsistent. At the end of the post, you say “By the way, if *YOU* want to pick up either gauntlet or both, you are welcome to.” Similarly, you taunted others for not responding to two links you posted. But, if you consider the issue debunked and are not interested in any further discussion on such issues, there’s no point in other responding.

What is unusual or strange about it?

I’ve been doing this for a long time on a number of boards and have rarely seen it, so it’s unusual.

"Hey guys, what do you think of this?" *Link*

I then follow the link. I quote the relevant section. And then post:

"It's total crap and here's why..."

Linking to external material, articles or arguments is hardly unusual, nor is quoting or discussing them in separate threads.

I agree that linking to external material and quoting a relevant section is appropriate. I disagree that linking to an internal discussion without quoting the pertinent material (the practice we’re actually discussing) is the same as linking to external material and quoting a relevant section.

I know it's sad but you just have to deal with it. Or pick up the gauntlet and try to do a better job.

First, as noted above, how or why would I pick up such a gauntlet when you’ve stated you’re not interested in further discussion on the topic?

Second, as others have since noted, your opinion of victory is just that – your opinion. Sometimes both sides walk away believing they had the upper hand, or thinking that the matter is still open.

On the debate I linked to on the historicity of the Gospels, I spanked the Christian so hard he abandoned the debate, running with his tail tucked between his legs. Thus, it's not just my opinion he lost. It's apparently his as well.

Is this a general rule, that if someone stops replying they’ve conceded?

You are welcome to start a post on an article in AIG that you can link to and get schooled.

All of AIG. Have fun!

In fact you did suggest that very thing when you claimed "argument from ignorance". You suggested that his refusal to post any refutation might be due to, how did you put it, "limited time and interest". It's a thinly concealed argument that he could have crushed me but just didn't feel like doing so. This is a classic argument from ignorance.

No, you inferred that.

I could care less what you do or don't accept. I leave such determinations to the reader.

Either you’re lying about that, as you haven’t polled the readers on all threads for which you claim victory; or, you’re relying on the fact that opponents of Christianity form a majority on this board and are likely to agree with you, which is an argumentum ad populum.

However, I will go so far as to say when a Christian runs away from a formal debate, it's hard to argue that he really won. But I'm sure you will anyway.

No, I’ll point out that, even if you beat a single Christian, that hardly counts as debunking the position.

By the way, if *YOU* want to pick up either gauntlet or both, you are welcome to.

With whom? You’re not interested in further discussion on issues you’ve already debunked.