Advice For Those Who Have 'Questions For Atheists'

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Before you post your questions here, have a peek at the literature regarding nonbelief. Without exception every single question you lot ask has been asked and answered.

You can even find most of the questions in this forum, honestly. Failing that, have a lash at the works of Russell, Ingersoll, Dawkins, Hitchens and so forth. Most of this stuff was written for general consumption, and is not particularly heavy going. It is all available either online or at your local lending library.

When your pastor or a school chum or a teacher brings up something that you happen to think, on first hearing, is an absolutely devastating argument against atheism, you can rest assured it has been dealt with.

Some of you complain about snarky comments or 'non-answers' to the things you ask. The above is EXACTLY the reason for that behaviour. If 10 000 people ask me, 'Why is the sky blue?' the first 500 will probably get a layman's explanation of light scattering in the atmosphere. The rest will get something like, 'Because Oog the Sky King drenched his realm in blue urine. Now go away.'

So please, please, PLEASE, look around before you post your questions. Who knows? You might come up with something original.

Boru

[Tonus]

Min linked to this blog post from two years ago showing the exact same questions, with the person asking them claiming that they were from an "apologetics class." So it's likely to be a hit-and-run post dump from a theist. I sure hope that this isn't what they're teaching people to ask, but seeing as it's just a step removed from "evolution is just a theory," I figure we'll see it again and again.

[Jacob(smooth)]

It was oog?!

I never knew that.

He should get that looked at. Blue urine can't be good!

[Godscreated]

Atheist do the same thing, they keep asking the same ridiculous questions that's be answered by Christians time and again, yet when we complain about having to answer the same questions we're told to stop complaining and put up with it. Double standard.

GC

[Alex K]

Atheist do the same thing, they keep asking the same ridiculous questions that's be answered by Christians time and again, yet when we complain about having to answer the same questions we're told to stop complaining and put up with it. Double standard.

GC

Really? What ridiculous questions?

[Jacob(smooth)]

Not so much ridiculous questions, but GC makes half a fair point.

Theists and Atheists alike have a lamentable tendency to think that the people in the other group live in holes, and have not heard the common arguments which seem convincing to them. From the slew of "CHRISTIANS EXPLAIN THIS" threads to the "if people evolved from apes, how come there are still apes" type questions, many of these debates take place in a somewhat condescending atmosphere. If I had a quid for every time I've read something on the lines of "the question which destroys Atheism / christianity" I'd be less annoyed when I read them.

[Esquilax]

Atheist do the same thing, they keep asking the same ridiculous questions that's be answered by Christians time and again, yet when we complain about having to answer the same questions we're told to stop complaining and put up with it. Double standard.

GC

GC, not finding the current arguments you guys make convincing, is not the same thing as repeating the question. What we're hoping is for a different answer that's actually satisfying, rather than the usual apologetics dodges or appeals to personal experience.

[Whateverist]

Well then GC is correct in pointing out this at least about how the two situations are parallel. Routinely you'll find new atheists coming here and asking the same questions regarding contradictory behavior of the supposedly loving God of the bible. We may all be tired of it but it is the question burning in that newbie's mind. We do indulge the young unformed atheists so why shouldn't we allow the young, indignant theist to post what is most on his mind?

That was altogether too much 'should'. I for one don't tend to get involved in the threads of new atheists still raw with disappointment. Nor should I have to. This is a fun place to be, not a public service. Fortunately there are others closer to feeling the same things or just more compassionate who will indulge them.

The situation is similar for the theist used to the warmth and comfort of "amen"-community when they learn that there are others who are not grateful to God. When they steel their nerves to confront us for our bad manners toward the 'all loving father' and bring up the arguments they've garnered to shame us, they don't mean to be trite. I'm sure in their own minds they expect an altogether different reaction.

The conversations we've engaged on doesn't settle anything for everyone. It must be one of those never ending story kind of things. When it gets to be too repetitious repetitious rep .. we are entitled to grumble or move on, which ever suites us.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

Not so much ridiculous questions, but GC makes half a fair point.

Theists and Atheists alike have a lamentable tendency to think that the people in the other group live in holes, and have not heard the common arguments which seem convincing to them. From the slew of "CHRISTIANS EXPLAIN THIS" threads to the "if people evolved from apes, how come there are still apes" type questions, many of these debates take place in a somewhat condescending atmosphere. If I had a quid for every time I've read something on the lines of "the question which destroys Atheism / christianity" I'd be less annoyed when I read them.

Appeals to logic will not destroy any religions or any beliefs. We can show that a doctrine is illogical, but who really follows the doctrine these days? Everyone has their own version.

[Jacob(smooth)]

Atheist do the same thing, they keep asking the same ridiculous questions that's be answered by Christians time and again, yet when we complain about having to answer the same questions we're told to stop complaining and put up with it. Double standard.

GC

GC, not finding the current arguments you guys make convincing, is not the same thing as repeating the question. What we're hoping is for a different answer that's actually satisfying, rather than the usual apologetics dodges or appeals to personal experience.

Depends exactly what question you are asking I guess. If you're asking "why do you believe that" then however half arsed the answer may seem to you, we've answered the question as best we can, no matter how your rephrase it my answer is not going to fit the question shaped hole in your head.

If you're asking "why do you think I should believe that" then of course that's a different kettle of fish altogether.

---

Not so much ridiculous questions, but GC makes half a fair point.

Theists and Atheists alike have a lamentable tendency to think that the people in the other group live in holes, and have not heard the common arguments which seem convincing to them. From the slew of "CHRISTIANS EXPLAIN THIS" threads to the "if people evolved from apes, how come there are still apes" type questions, many of these debates take place in a somewhat condescending atmosphere. If I had a quid for every time I've read something on the lines of "the question which destroys Atheism / christianity" I'd be less annoyed when I read them.

Appeals to logic will not destroy any religions or any beliefs. We can show that a doctrine is illogical, but who really follows the doctrine these days? Everyone has their own version.

Quite true. There is a saying in Christian circles, "nobody has ever been reasoned into faith". To us that means that what we may see as sound logic and history cannot make someone believe. I don't know if the correlary is also true. I suspect so.