Atheist - Responses to difficult questions (scriptures, sin, faith, God)

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

When I've made a statement that contradicts a major facet of God, I get various reactions.

The debate is bypassed because I am a supposedly better debater.

The debate focuses on a single point and ignores the other points

Strawmen and/or red herrings are brought forth to divert the debate

Can these tatctics be taken as a sign of weakness for those who would oppose the statements? Is there a better way to discuss/debate issues that support our basic premise?


Placed here rather than the Atheist forum in Discuss Individual Religions because there might need be "defense" of opinions expressed.

[Jaiket]

I don't tend to encounter many people submitting to my wonderful oratory skills...but I do meet the other situations fairly regularly, Pah. The only thing that I've found that works is patience.

If you want a productive discussion you have to poke from different angles, simply losing the rag and yelling about logical fallacies rarely gets me anywhere...so I don't tend to do it anymore except where I think the theist in question is sophisticated enough to understand my point.

The biggest problem I face with difficult questions is that I'm frequently asked questions that I not only lack an answer to, I don't actually know what is being asked.

In answer to your question, I'd say yes. When someone tries tactics like that I think there may be a case for assuming their position is a poor one.

[Majikthise]

I've actually thought about this lately and see it as a sign of despiration. People will do anything when the things they love or depend on are threatened.

[Kungfuzed]

Well, critical thinking is taboo in many religions. To ask them to question the existence of God or their scriptures is to ask them to sin in a very big way. They can't even consider the thought without feeling guilty. All they can really do in that situation is try to avoid it as best they can. My goal isn't to convert, I just want to make them think.