Can you ever win an argument with an athiest?
100740
It depends on what the exchange is addressing.\n\nIf you are attempting to convince an Atheist as to the validity of religion or faith, then likely not.  That would be particularly true with an Atheist who stands on a foundation of Determinism.\n\nAny other subject would be fair game and most Atheists I know are open to new knowledge and more then willing to develop new conclusions, but you will have to present arguments bast on solid provable facts.\n\nBy the way, I have been a Deterministic Atheist for nearly 50 years.
474400
How is it rational to say with certainty that something does exist when the possibility will always remain that it does not?\n\nNOT believing is what atheism means.
806361
1. \n\nMost of the time athiest have had a bad situation occur in their lives and turned to God for help, he didn't answer in the way they wanted so they don't believe he exists.\n\nGot proof? News flash... atheists are not mad at a god they do not believe in. \n\n2.\n\nLook it's a waste of time trying to convert athiests and athiests to convert believers.\n\na.) Then take your own advice and keep your sermon to yourself :)\n\nb.) I, for one think that it's never a waste of time to try to understand others and be understood. \n\nc.) If it weren't for people sharing ideas, I would not have changed my worldview.
457247
Not forcibly, no, but I reserve the right to both disagree with their beliefs and try to change their minds on certain things (not that this usually does any good.)  For example, I think I'm perfectly justified in thinking that fundamentalist Muslims are dead wrong in thinking that we are the Great Satan.  I wish with all my heart that they didn't feel that way, and if they're willing to listen, I'd do anything in my power to try to convince them that they're wrong.  However, I grant them the right to think that we're the Great Satan and to try to convice me that my beliefs are wrong.  \n\nI understand what you're saying, and I agree that it's usually a moot point to try to change people's personal beliefs...Discussion and healthy debate is great, but all participants have to be willing to be a part of the debate.    Like in just about all other situations these days, people need to stop both making bigger debates personal and stop taking everything personally.  If anyone figures out how to do this, let me know.
412512
You can't prove a negative.\n\nIt's also very difficult to argue with someone who takes an emotional rather than a reasoned approach to argument.
132811
The ones who fight to disprove God are anti-thiests.  In my liftime, I have only met a handful of actual athiests, but an enormous amount of anti-thiests who call themselves athiests.\n\nThe operating word in the definition is belief.  If you truly believe something, you act on it accordingly.  If you truly believe the roof you are sitting under is about to fall down, then you'll move.  Genuine athiests truly don't believe that there is a God, and won't waste much time talking for or againt Him.\n\nOn the other hand, anti-thiests don't want anybody to believe in any kind of higher being, and work fervently to achieve that goal.  In my experience, most anti-thiests once believed in God, but something happened in their lives which they blame God for, and thus the fervor.\n\nto zilker: Technically, anyone who does not have a belief in God is an AGNOSTIC. An atheist believes that there is no God.\nEveryone is actually AGNOSTIC by default until they develope or reject a belief in a God. \n\nto My Big Bear Ron: Maybe there are no athiests 'knocking on doors', but I guarantee there are no Christians in court rooms trying to suppress the athiests' (or more accurately, anti-thiests') right to believe what he wants to believe.
1182258
Nope.\n\nAnd in return, if you cant prove God does not exist, well then he just might. I cant prove fairies dont exist, so they just might.\n\nJust the way it works for me.
1173293
Since there is no proof either way (pro or con) an athiest has chosen one of 2 logical positions.  He just has chosen one that differs from the "believers".  His decision has no more or less merit than those who choose god.
490129
Valid point.  At the very best, if proven, any argument for a deity can prove "god".  I use a lower case "g" on purpose.\n\nAll the arguments for god (which, by the way, were derived by Aquinas from the pagan greeks) at best, only prove a deist creator.  None spell out a specific "G"od, much less Yahweh.\n\nThis is all despite the fact that centuries of rational thought have exposed the glaring holes in these arguments.  Nevertheless, as I said, even if they WERE rational arguments, the only "prove" deism, nothing more.\n\nSo we arrive at the same standpoint most people are anyway...is the God Yahweh?  Jesus?  Buddhah?  Allah? Native American Corn God?  Arguments for ID and a creator prove nothing about religion.\n\nJefferson and Paine were both strong deists, who bought every argument these theists could throw down about the existance of God (though great men both, not their strongest positions, in my opinion.)  However, both men abhorred Christianity and theism in general.\n\nArguments for "g"od get you absolutely nothing, and leave people exactly where they were before, choosing their own deity.\n\nThat is why the bible has nothing to do with proving "g"od.
558132
You have a good argument, and just maybe....
274983
Of course . . . they can be . . . very easily . . . they used their religious knowledge to expand man's viewpoint . . . usually they are very open minded . . . and great conversationalist . . . and love to debate.
259343
Honestly, you can't have those kinds debates with Christians. When it comes down to a debate on Faith Vs Reason people who value logic and reason and people who value faith (be they Christians or Muslims or what have you) have *very little* common ground to fight over. \n\nIt's two different world views. You can't make them understand. They won't listen.\n\nYou can point out all the errors and inconsistencies in the bible until you are blue in the faith (heee). You won't touch their belief, because their belief has absolutely nothing to do with reason or truth.
985926
I think it does sharpen your beliefs when someone challenges them. Sometimes the anger that people show is insecurity in what they believe. They don't know how to answer a question someone asks them and so they lash out at the person for even asking.  When people ask what I believe it also helps me to examine what I believe and creates a dialog between the two of us.
447999
my bf is atheist.  he's jewish and doesn't believe in anything more powerful than himself.  SO, one day when he won on a scratch ticket about 500 bucks he yells,  "there is a GOD"  now he believes.  What a weirdo but it's true.\n\nI have always believed in GOD and nothing can change that for me.
1114519
No, practicing your religion does.  Anyone can talk, but living by the creed of your religion, everyday, is a proof of faith.\n\n(Nice question, by the way)
731495
Not necessarily.\n\nAn atheist does not have to disprove anything, its a blank.  He chooses to enter the debate of God/gods but "must" does not apply.  Belief in nothing is not a belief system, but trying to disprove faith becomes an avocation.\n\nAgnostics would seem to me to be more engaged in a inner dialogue of an existence of a higher power.  It isn't really sitting on the fence as one said, but perhaps standing at different times on either side of the fence.
107351
It really depends on who you want to convince...if it's someone you love/relative...usually the way to convince is to back off and show that you are not demanding but taking their wants into consideration (it really works in reverse).  However, if it's a professional or academic person that you want to convince, logic works best in your arguments. See to it that your logic has no flaws.  In business, you can convince people to your point of view if you let them see how the proposal/arrangement works to benefit their interest.\n\nWhen it comes to personal beliefs though, it becomes much harder to convince other people to adopt the same so you have to check on how committed they are to their beliefs or religion first.  As they say, you cannot seduce a happy man.