Arguing w/ Religious Friends

[Pyrrho]

I think FatAndFaithless gave good advice.  Using the Socratic method, which is asking questions, is usually the most effective.  That way, you get them to come up with arguments regarding whatever it is you are asking.  That way, they are more likely to think about the issues involved.

Of course, you ought not expect to convince them in one go, and may never convince them.

And I think the approach you are suggesting in your opening post is fine.

But, again, you may never succeed.  For them to be convinced, it is the way that they think about it that matters.

[abaris]

Of course, you ought not expect to convince them in one go, and may never convince them.

Which might be the strongest argument. Everyone has to come to their own conclusions through personal life experiences. Asking questions is fine, but going on an atheist mission is futile and even questionable in my opinion.

[QuarkDriven]

What is the best way to argue with religious friends and even try to dissuade them of their religion without losing them as a friend or overly offending them? What are your top 5 arguments against religion and strategies for debating religion? I need to watch some more debates with Sam Harris and Dawkins.

Maybe the best thing to do is not "argue" with your friends... if they're religious and you are not and both of you are aware of that fact.. then just be his/her friend without trying to "turn" them... If the subject comes up, have a converastion... not argument/debate....

My girlfriend is religious..well, not so much religious, but does believe in god... when I told her I was an atheist and tried to give her reasons as to why I was one, she started feeling like i was trying to "convert" her, which I kinda was.. I realized I was coming on too strongly.. I let it go.. we live together and we have no problem.. She's actually even coming with me to see Dawkins' talk in Boston...

as the saying goes "some of my best friends are..."    you would insert "religious" there lol

just my 2 cents...

[KUSA]

There is no need in discussing anything other than the fact that there is NO EVIDENCE.

If someone wants to argue that their God is real then have them show you tangible evidence. The most acceptable form of this would be the god itself.

No one will ever be able to do this though. I would avoid getting wrapped up in the bible crap as it is just a distraction. Example would be like the bible predicted such and such so God is real. Wrong! Even if the bible got anything right it doesn't prove that any god exists.

I actually like to debate on the bible because it is so easy and funny to tear down. The only drawback is you will not likely remain friends afterwards.

[Cephus]

I have no real religious friends, the ones that used to be religious are no longer and the ones that were hyper-religious just faded away over time. Now, virtually all of my friends are atheists. It didn't take long, drawn out debates, it just took being friends for many, many years and whenever the subject came up, reason won. Eventually, they realized that their beliefs were asinine. Or they left. Either way, I'm fine with it.