Best Theistic Arguments

[Foxaèr]

To be honest, the entire definition argument is just semantics wearing a dictionary cloak.

By all standards, we know what someone means when they refer to a god.

Are you referring to my post?

If someone can't even define the terms they use, then they are talking crap and are wasting everyone's time. That's what pinning the theist down is supposed to avoid. It's not so much an argument as a starting point for any sensible discussion. If the theist falls at the starting line and not even the first hurdle, then that's too bad.

Define "crap" for me, or else you're wasting my time.  That's what you sound like when you inform them to define "god".  Both definitions we know for certain from having encountered them enough on a regular basis.  Don't play semantic games, because it's unbecoming.  "God" is clearly defined despite belief or lack of belief.

[Anomalocaris]

I stupid, therefore God.

I fear, therefore God.

I tantrum, therefore God.

I don't know, therefore God

I pretend to know, therefore god

I want, therefore God.

I was told, therefore God.

I misanthrope, therefore God.

[Whateverist]

I am going to debate a theist over the existence of god soon. What are the best arguments you ever heard from theists? Any tips on what topic to avoid in such an discussion? 
Thanks in advance

Making the positive case that 'god' -as if you or anyone else knew what this word refers to- does not exist, will just allow them to turn all your best points agains you.  Much better to stick to insisting that terms be defined and then challenge the legitimacy of the supernatural.  If not even one noncontroversial exemplar of anything supernatural can be produced, then that set can safely be assumed to be empty.

[robvalue]

Are you referring to my post?

If someone can't even define the terms they use, then they are talking crap and are wasting everyone's time. That's what pinning the theist down is supposed to avoid. It's not so much an argument as a starting point for any sensible discussion. If the theist falls at the starting line and not even the first hurdle, then that's too bad.

Define "crap" for me, or else you're wasting my time.  That's what you sound like when you inform them to define "god".  Both definitions we know for certain from having encountered them enough on a regular basis.  Don't play semantic games, because it's unbecoming.  "God" is clearly defined despite belief or lack of belief.

"Crap": nonsense. No problem! I'm quite prepared to define my words, why shouldn't I be? I'm not suggesting opening dialogue with a theist in such abrupt terms, I was being informal here. I'd politely ask them to define their terms. If they can't/won't, then there's no point continuing.

No, God is not clearly defined, because every theist means something slightly (or totally) different by it. If it was clearly defined, them providing a definition should be no problem at all. The fact that they can't/won't 90% of the time shows that they don't even know what it is they're trying to prove. I don't know why you're getting worked up about this.

[Foxaèr]

I don't know why you're getting worked up about this.

And that right there is my queue to leave.

[robvalue]

Edit: the theist keeping "God" as vague as possible is generally their entire strategy. This means that they can try and use virtually anything to point towards it, and use it as an answer for everything, because they haven't actually said what it is. In all honesty, I don't even think they know in their own head what it is, it's just some vague idea about a super-being. Even when talking to a single theist, I've noticed its characteristics and powers morph during a conversation.

The biggest problem with a poorly defined term, especially when it's crucial to the discussion, is that there's no way of telling when a proper conclusion has been reached. How can it be clear that it's been demonstrated to "exist", when no one has even said what it is?

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I don't know why you're getting worked up about this.

And that right there is my queue to leave.

Alright, I have no idea what's going on but I'm sorry if I've upset you.

[Succubus]

...Define "crap" for me, or else you're wasting my time.  That's what you sound like when you inform them to define "god".  Both definitions we know for certain from having encountered them enough on a regular basis.  Don't play semantic games, because it's unbecoming.  "God" is clearly defined despite belief or lack of belief.

Sorry I must disagree. 'God' is one of the most nebulous concepts there is, ask ten Christians for a definition of god and you'll get 84 answers. Trying to nail them down is like nailing blancmange to a ceiling.

[Foxaèr]

Edit: the theist keeping "God" as vague as possible is generally their entire strategy. This means that they can try and use virtually anything to point towards it, and use it as an answer for everything, because they haven't actually said what it is. In all honesty, I don't even think they know in their own head what it is, it's just some vague idea about a super-being. Even when talking to a single theist, I've noticed its characteristics and powers morph during a conversation.

The biggest problem with a poorly defined term, especially when it's crucial to the discussion, is that there's no way of telling when a proper conclusion has been reached. How can it be clear that it's been demonstrated to "exist", when no one has even said what it is?

---

And that right there is my queue to leave.

Alright, I have no idea what's going on but I'm sorry if I've upset you.

Sometimes I become too emotionally invested in an argument. I'm not upset with you. I just had to leave the argument before I said something I would regret.

[robvalue]

Okay cool, no problem Happens to us all.

[downbeatplumb]

I am going to debate a theist over the existence of god soon. What are the best arguments you ever heard from theists? Any tips on what topic to avoid in such an discussion? 
Thanks in advance

Their arguments normally consist of.
"without god how do you explain.." morals, matter, the universe, justice, laws of physics, beauty love or some other such thing.