{"id":526,"date":"2010-11-22T16:31:33","date_gmt":"2010-11-22T06:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asktheatheist.com\/?p=526"},"modified":"2010-11-22T16:31:33","modified_gmt":"2010-11-22T06:31:33","slug":"debating-with-christians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asktheatheist.com\/?p=526","title":{"rendered":"Debating with Christians"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question from Brian:<\/strong>
\nIt’s me again. This Christian at my school is planning on debating me about religion this Monday. My problem isn’t really with the information, it’s just that people always think that I think I’m better than they are. What do you think?
\n
\nAnswer by Andrea:<\/strong>
\nDear Brian,
\n
\nFirst – Kudos to you for debating Christians! We need to have more of that in this country.
\n
\nRegarding your question, during my college days, I would have said, of course I\u2019m better and more rational than you, how can any sane person believe there\u2019s an invisible wizard in the sky? Why don\u2019t we just start believing there\u2019s a little green leprechaun on my lap waiting to grant my every wish while we\u2019re at it?
\n
\nThese days I\u2019m more tactful, and in studying sociology and neurophysiology, I realize that people can genuinely believe they have had a supernatural experience, and not knowing brain neurophysiology, they attribute it to a supernatural force. Others don\u2019t have the strength to handle life\u2019s issues without a crutch, which can also result from improper upbringing in the formative years.
\n
\nIn answer to your question, however, I would touch on the following:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Make it clear that everyone has a mixture of strengths and weaknesses including yourself, and no one is necessarily better than anyone else.
\n
\n\u00b7 Make people aware that you think they are entitled to believe whatever they want to as long as they don\u2019t try to shove it down everyone\u2019s throat.
\n
\n\u00b7 To bring people around to my way of thinking, or at least understanding it so they don\u2019t fear it so much, I would mention some of the reasons why I don\u2019t believe, which for me would be:
\n – Other than biblically-related writing, there is no secular proof of a man who could heal lepers, raise the dead or walk on water. There is also no proof of any apostles or most, if not all, the stories in the Bible (eg the great flood, etc.). There is secular proof of a King Herod, but he died 2 years before Christ was said to be born. There is also no proof of any mass slaughtering of male children.
\n– There is much proof that Christianity is merely a plagiarism of many mythologies preceding it (
\nsee for instance “The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold and Suns of God: Krishna, Buddha and Christ Unveiled at URL: www.truthbeknown.com\/christ.htm<\/a>)
\n– How can one believe religion is a good thing when secular societies are so much more societally healthy, while the US, the most religious country in the industrialized world, has the most societal dysfunction (i.e., highest rates of assaults, murder, imprisonment). The second most religious country, Portugal, is also second most dysfunctional. See also Phil Zuckerman and Gregory Paul for stats.
\n– Mention the contradictions found throughout the Bible. I think if more people actually read the Old Testament, more people would be atheists.
\n

\nTry also Secular Student Alliance for answers to your question and for purposes of community.
\nHope that helps.
\nBest,
\nAndrea<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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