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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 9:59 am
My grandmother brings it up sometimes. It doesn't really get anywhere. she's brought up Pascal's wager, and how every time the country sides with Israel, good things happen. Or something like that. She likes to say that all biblical prophesies have come true. She thinks I'm going to hell.
I have a friend at the gym that wants me to come back to his church, but he doesn't really start religious debates with me. he's more interested in talking about religion with like-minded people. They believe in Jesus, but they may discuss different interpretations of passages and such.
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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 10:35 am
(April 15, 2015 at 9:43 am)Napoléon Wrote: Generally I don't bother because it doesn't go anywhere and for some strange reason everyone thinks you're the asshole for pointing out how stupid it is that a grown adult believes fairy tales are real.
The problem with religion is that if you don't bother you end up with things like the dark ages, the current state of the middle east, and genocide of Jews. It isn't that you can force religion out of existence, but ideas themselves when left unchecked can grow like weeds.
I bother because religious people vote, and religion worldwide controls governments with weapons.
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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 11:36 am
It depends on the circumstances. Some random religious nutball on the street handing out literature, I don't bother, although I will certainly tell them where to shove their Bible if they become overly-obnoxious about it. If they come to my door, absolutely, they're asking for it and I have no problem taking them down a dozen pegs or so. That's why none of them ever come to my door anymore, I'm on everyone's black list because I know more than their door-knockers. On a debate forum like this one, damn straight, that's why we're here! I won't, however, go looking for trouble and invade forums intended only for the religious. They have a right to their own spaces, just like atheists do if we chose to. Me, I avoid those echo chambers.
There is nothing demonstrably true that religion can provide mankind that cannot be achieved as well or better through secular means.
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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 11:37 am
Only when it's fun and both parties are interested in the debate.
I reject your reality and substitute my own!
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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 11:42 am
(April 15, 2015 at 9:59 am)Chad32 Wrote: My grandmother brings it up sometimes. It doesn't really get anywhere. she's brought up Pascal's wager, and how every time the country sides with Israel, good things happen. Or something like that. She likes to say that all biblical prophesies have come true. She thinks I'm going to hell.
I have no idea what my grandmother really believed when she died, I do know that my family stopped prayers at family gatherings. We'd all get together at Thanksgiving, she'd insist that everyone prayed, but my family wouldn't do it. We'd sit quietly while everyone else talked to themselves but we wouldn't play along. It didn't take too many years of that before the prayers stopped, I think everyone was embarrassed that we weren't pretending, and from that point on, there was nary a prayer to be had from anyone. I couldn't care less who thinks I'm going to hell, any more than I'd care if someone thought I was going to Valhalla. It's all imaginary anyway.
There is nothing demonstrably true that religion can provide mankind that cannot be achieved as well or better through secular means.
Bitch at my blog! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel!
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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 11:51 am
Only here. Otherwise the subject never comes up.
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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 12:28 pm
(April 15, 2015 at 11:51 am)Minimalist Wrote: Only here. Otherwise the subject never comes up.
Are you possibly very intimidating irl? 
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Discuss things, don't argue.
Discussions are about two people with different opinions/perspectives trying to find truth together.
Arguments are about winning some meaningless battle by manipulating information to support your position.
Discussions are interesting, arguments are a waste of time outside of the masturbatory sense you both feel when you both inevitably conclude you 'won' at the end.
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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 12:46 pm
(April 15, 2015 at 12:41 pm)wallym Wrote: Discuss things, don't argue.
Discussions are about two people with different opinions/perspectives trying to find truth together.
Arguments are about winning some meaningless battle by manipulating information to support your position.
Discussions are interesting, arguments are a waste of time outside of the masturbatory sense you both feel when you both inevitably conclude you 'won' at the end.
There is nothing wrong with masturbation.
Good jumping point for the debate though. 
I reject your reality and substitute my own!
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RE: Do you argue with religious people?
April 15, 2015 at 12:47 pm
(April 15, 2015 at 12:28 pm)Alex K Wrote: (April 15, 2015 at 11:51 am)Minimalist Wrote: Only here. Otherwise the subject never comes up.
Are you possibly very intimidating irl?
I don't think so. Even the parts of the family that still pay jesus shit lip service aren't very devout. Most of our friends think religion is horseshit and the few who don't get subtle messages, like the secretary of the dog rescue who asked if I would be able to attend a meeting on the day before easter. I told her "sure, that's not a big holiday at our house." She's not stupid. She got the message.
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