Before We Discuss Whether God Exists, I Have A Question

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

unless you are willing to consider the possibility there is no god, than there is no point in the dicussion.

More than that, it isn't even a 'discussion'.  To a theist is who not even going to leave open the possibility that they might be wrong, the opposite of talking isn't listening.  The opposite of talking is waiting.

Boru

[vulcanlogician]

I'm a little more blunt: "If you'd like me to stay in the room/at this gathering we won't discuss religion or politics. "

You don't like discussing religion or politics irl? Dude, those are my two favorite subjects.

[Whateverist]

I suspect he means he doesn't enjoy discussing it with people he is determined to get along with and will no doubt disagree with on those topic in a most disagreeable way.

[brewer]

I'm a little more blunt: "If you'd like me to stay in the room/at this gathering we won't discuss religion or politics. "

You don't like discussing religion or politics irl? Dude, those are my two favorite subjects.

Not with family. Thought this was mostly with family.

[Silver]

You don't like discussing religion or politics irl? Dude, those are my two favorite subjects.

Especially when drinking alcohol.

[Catholic_Lady]

Jenny, I think where people may be getting hung up is that having hope is part of having faith. The 2 go hand in hand. There is no concrete proof that God exists, but we *hope* that He does.

Of course, if it was somehow made 100% clear that God indeed was not real, there would be no reason to hope anymore and I would just face the reality. But as everyone knows, It's almost impossible to disprove a negative and probably impossible to disprove the existance of God. So there will always be room for faith and hope, and people will keep hoping.

[SaStrike]

Jenny, I think where people may be getting hung up is that having hope is part of having faith. The 2 go hand in hand. There is no concrete proof that God exists, but we *hope* that He does.

Of course, if it was somehow made 100% clear that God indeed was not real, there would be no reason to hope anymore and I would just face the reality. But as everyone knows, It's almost impossible to disprove a negative and probably impossible to disprove the existance of God. So there will always be room for faith and hope, and people will keep hoping.

Faith requires no proof. We cannot prove (hate to use this overused example) Zeus doesn't exist, but we accept he doesn't, because we were willing to, as OP states: not believe in him, if he does not exist. Many could hope he exists all they want but it wouldn't change anything.

So if you were to try and discuss the existence of god with the OP, your answer to the question would be "no" and therefore cannot go further. lol

[tjakey]

I am an atheist and so far off the political scale that there no real label that fits, at least I haven't run across one yet. But I don't eschew religious or political discussions with anyone because the one thing I really try to avoid is living in the bubble of my own perceptions, of being so wedded to my own opinions and beliefs that new understandings become as impossible for me as they are for a religious fanatic. How can I learn anything by talking only with people who are pretty much like me? Try as we might none of us are very wise, or hold onto more than a little bit of truth. Unfortunately it seems that many people perceive any questioning of their own belief as a personal attack, responding with the same emotional drive as does any animal backed into a corner. Also, unfortunately, most of what passes for news and commentary is also driven by this same kind of emotional response, resulting in a lot of blind propaganda and pure fantasy masquerading as fact and proof.

Anyway, I end up backing out of most such discussions pretty quickly just because they are not going anywhere interesting or useful. Instead I read a lot, currently focusing on ancient Stoic philosophy.

[J a c k]

Due to my slightly modified work schedule, I’ve been having to stay at work for lunch. I usually try to avoid the break room, but I’ve been having no choice. It’s common for coworkers to try to convince me that there’s a god by sharing their stories. I just smile and nod as I scroll through my phone. Nothing I say will even be considered, so there’s no point in discussion. I’ve learned this and accept it.

[Silver]

Due to my slightly modified work schedule, I’ve been having to stay at work for lunch. I usually try to avoid the break room, but I’ve been having no choice. It’s common for coworkers to try to convince me that there’s a god by sharing their stories. I just smile and nod as I scroll through my phone. Nothing I say will even be considered, so there’s no point in discussion. I’ve learned this and accept it.

I've always openly informed my coworkers that I'm atheist, but of course I've been lucky enough to never work with a religious person who only wanted to talk about god all day.