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Posted by Chauncey_Gardner on Wed 22 Jun 11, 9:19 AM to the Informed_Debate group.
I can imagine the great (and not so great) minds of IC breathing a collective sigh of exasperation upon seeing the title of this thread...
I am not trying to have this debate again - but I have been wondering why it comes up time and time again.
I understand that it is a topic that engenders strong opinions - I have some myself - but what I am slowly struggling to comprehend is why the debate crops up so often.
Let me expand:
In order to believe in god, one must have faith.
A basic tenet of this faith is that god cannot reveal himself. He simply cannot prove his existence, because to do so would remove the need to have faith.
Ergo, his existence cannot be proved.
Ergo, debating about his existence is a complete and utter waste of time.
We all know that it is pretty much impossible to prove that god does not exist, yet so many of us get pulled into an impossible, never-to-be-won debate, one that often descends into cliche, bad feeling and abuse...
Why? In the name of (insert random deity) why?
| 22 Jun 11, 9:31 AM Happy_Monkey_J UK(B), 4 yrs   |
That's true, but more importantly, the basic tenet of faith is that you must believe that God exists, and believe it strongly. So if you have a bunch of people believing strongly in one point of view, some of them will argue with anyone who suggests an opposing view. I'm not cheap, but I am on special this week... | |||
| 22 Jun 11, 9:34 AM SubWillow101 UK(B), 14 mths |
I disagree, someone can have a strong faith, but still be willing to debate it, its heathly to question your religion/faith because it open's your mind to new posablity's. Those that don't are simply sheep that follow someone else blindly or too closed minded to even consider it in the first place. However do I think 'god' exists? me personally? not in the physical form that a lot of people think. Edited 22 Jun 11, 9:36 AM by SubWillow101 | |||
| 22 Jun 11, 9:35 AM Chauncey_Gardner 23 mths |
Well, as someone who has wasted more hours than I can to think of having this debate, I understand how easy it is to get pulled in. The thing is, it never goes anywhere, and nothing new is ever brought to the debate. It has all been said before. And not once have I seen someone change their view - not even close... | |||
| 22 Jun 11, 9:40 AM Chauncey_Gardner 23 mths |
I am not saying it is unhealthy. Just pointless.
Well, that's a bit of a sweeping generalisation.
Please don't go there! I am trying to debate the notion of debating - not to resurrect the old does he or doesn't he thang.... | |||
| 22 Jun 11, 9:41 AM anne_marie  UK(SE), 5 yrs |
..... because there is no conclusion. Therefore it's all about the debate. You can learn a lot from just talking to people. From the long winded and pompous to the angry and frustrated, and everything inbetween, we can see people for who they really are without the disgusting part of having to actually meet them, well that's what I would be doing if I were single. As it is I just like to play with words and feel that I need the practice. esp on spelling you would not believe how long it took to write that because I am googling every other word pretty much. Doh!
ETA whoops had to mention the strong feelings = that's another reason we keep returning to this, because we are motivated, some threads I look and I think 'whatever' but usually the god ones have something in them that gets my goat enough for me to become *Mrs Angry of Grimstead* If the above post upsets you please contact xAdamx He will punish me even if you are an idiot and I am trying to put you straight. Please note I will enjoy said punishment. Edited 22 Jun 11, 9:47 AM by anne_marie | |||
| 22 Jun 11, 9:47 AM Chauncey_Gardner 23 mths |
I suppose so. This is how it always goes: Atheist dismisses notion of god in off hand manner. Believer take umbrage, gets offended, then suggests atheists are empty vessels. Celestial teapot. Long, rambling post from a Christian utterly muddies the debate, by going off in about 15 directions simultaneously. Two people start sniping at each other. One has a hissy, flounces off, only to sit on the sidelines, seething at what is being written. Flying spaghetti monster. Christian says you cannot prove god doesn't exist. Atheist says you cannot prove fairies do not exist. Ad nauseum. Ad infinitum. Nothing changes. No-one swaps sides... | |||
| 22 Jun 11, 9:50 AM anne_marie UK(SE), 5 yrs |
I have changed sides 16 times but no-one noticed. *flounces stage left* edit to tidy-up (I blame the OCD) If the above post upsets you please contact xAdamx He will punish me even if you are an idiot and I am trying to put you straight. Please note I will enjoy said punishment. Edited 22 Jun 11, 10:20 AM by anne_marie | |||
| 22 Jun 11, 9:55 AM Prior UK, 12 yrs |
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| 22 Jun 11, 9:59 AM Chauncey_Gardner 23 mths |
What's the matter - was I typing too fast for you? I absolutely am not trying to have the debate again - I am merely trying to see why other people think it is so irresistable, when it never goes anywhere. Too many syllables? Let me know, and I will try and use smaller words. Edited 22 Jun 11, 3:43 PM by Chauncey_Gardner | |||
| 22 Jun 11, 11:41 AM SubWillow101 UK(B), 14 mths |
tbh You cannot give an answer your expecting without giving peronsal opinions on weather or not he/she exists. I gave my opinion which i still stand by. |
