First of all, I'd question him on why god's opinion on morality is somehow absolute, because merely appealing to him as the creator of the universe doesn't give his thoughts on good and evil any more credence.
Second, try pointing out all of the old testament moral pronouncements that your dad himself doesn't follow; technically, he's meant to kill you if you don't believe. No doubt you'll get the excuse that the old testament no longer applies, in which case, you've got him: how can a moral system change, and still be absolute?
Finally, ask your dad why god selected X set of actions as morally good, and Y set of actions as morally evil. Does god have a reason for doing that, or is it just a random grab bag of the guy's opinions, with nothing to base it on? If it's just god's opinion, then it's hardly absolute, but moreover your dad is admitting that his moral code isn't based on anything real, just someone else's opinions. If it's not an opinion, if there's reasons god chose those specific moral guidelines, then ask him what those are, and why those practical concerns wouldn't occur to an atheist with sufficient thought, with or without a god. Don't let him just say that god's reasons for doing what he did is that he knows what's morally right and wrong, or some shit, because that's just circular reasoning. Try and pin him down on what reasons god might have, for example, of making murder a sin.
Second, try pointing out all of the old testament moral pronouncements that your dad himself doesn't follow; technically, he's meant to kill you if you don't believe. No doubt you'll get the excuse that the old testament no longer applies, in which case, you've got him: how can a moral system change, and still be absolute?
Finally, ask your dad why god selected X set of actions as morally good, and Y set of actions as morally evil. Does god have a reason for doing that, or is it just a random grab bag of the guy's opinions, with nothing to base it on? If it's just god's opinion, then it's hardly absolute, but moreover your dad is admitting that his moral code isn't based on anything real, just someone else's opinions. If it's not an opinion, if there's reasons god chose those specific moral guidelines, then ask him what those are, and why those practical concerns wouldn't occur to an atheist with sufficient thought, with or without a god. Don't let him just say that god's reasons for doing what he did is that he knows what's morally right and wrong, or some shit, because that's just circular reasoning. Try and pin him down on what reasons god might have, for example, of making murder a sin.
"YOU take the hard look in the mirror. You are everything that is wrong with this world. The only thing important to you, is you." - ronedee
Want to see more of my writing? Check out my (safe for work!) site, Unprotected Sects!
Want to see more of my writing? Check out my (safe for work!) site, Unprotected Sects!
