Christians; Why do you think it wrong that Atheist debate the existance of God on an open forum?
918861
I guess they don't want people to notice the inconsistencies and nonsensical things that become blatantly obvious whenever you analyze organized religion, and particularly the Bible.\n\nIt's all fine as long as you accept every word in those "holy books" without thought. But as soon as you question just a little bit, the cards start to fall. You're eventually left with two choices: Decide that God in some way defies logic, or reject the book as false.
362227
Are you aware of how personal a question this is?\n\nMy own concept of God and of religion is that it is an intensely personal matter.  One of the reasons is that we all have different ideas of what is "rational" to believe, what is appropriate to do, etc.  If I told you what my pathway to God has been, you would evaluate that as whether or not that would work for you, or whether you approve or not.\n\nAnytime you tell someone something private, you are inviting their evaluation, or at least their comment.  Since I do not need this evaluation or comment, and since I doubt my path to God would work for everyone, I will keep it to myself.\n\nSpecifically, I am confident that a born-again Christian would disapprove.
313575
Atheists do not dispute his existance simply his divinity. All you did was prove to Atheists something they already agree to.\n\nSilly Rabbitt
729574
This is a tough question, since the two usually go together (a lot of people who try to argue against atheism just resort to mocking it).  That said, I think that it's more offensive to be mocked than to be debated against.  To answer your second question, I do my best to listen...it can be pretty tough, though, especially when you don't feel like the other person is making that same effort to listen.
1086239
Actually, my child, atheists SHOULD be in this category. The believe in nothing, which is still a belief. They provide a negative view to the views of the Christians and other believers of God. They have freedom of speech and within that is the freedom to disagree. I don't always approve of the language they use, but that goes the same for some of the Holier-than-Thou Bible Thumpers. For an accurate look, you need more than one view.
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.
804564
I dont think they can be right, especially those that refute the others.  I think a spiritual path with no fixed ideas about God, the form he takes, is best.  It allows athiests and believers to agree.
888629
Probably because it was offensive. I agree that we should be able to discuss different views. I have been deleted for things I  shouldn't have been.What I am saying is you don't have to start a discussion by attacking or being rude to others.I am Christian and I have an Atheist friend.We have no problems with each others non belief in each others beliefs. We respect each others opinion, I think that question was reported cuz of its tone. I have seen it too many times.
885891
Amen Christy! You've got a fire about you in this post, you sure you're not meant to be a preacher? Joking.\nI agree 100%. Forums like this always seem to bring out the bottom feeders. Then we end up with people screaming in frustration, "all you Christians are a bunch of jerks!" or "all you atheists are stupid!"\nThe BIG problem on this site is when a troll comes on here posting something controversial, people reward them by arguing back. Then you ask a serious question, and you get 5 or 6 answers. \nIf we really want the fighting to stop, both sides need to speak up and condemn those who are rude. Nonbelievers need to start speaking against rude atheists who call Christians names. Christians need to start rebuking uneducated Christians who give bad answers.\nAnd please, for the love of God, if you don't have an answer for an honest question, simply don't reply to it. Enough with the snide remarks that don't give the asker any help.
621969
maybe you dint find a real believer in God, who is to have an argument with!\n\ni mean believing in something is a symbol of emotional dependancy or some sort of confidence over the 'unknown' that it would help their .. watever! so, people should know whether they really believe or whether they think that they believe or whether they are testing their faith. a person who selflessly believes in god will argue with you better than a person who is a believer for his own reasons. so it depends on the mentality of the person you are arguing with.\n\nLastly i am not contending with your opinion and neither am i condemning it. I am also not trying to argue with you. I am not an atheist. I am not a christian either. you have your right to believe whatever you want.. and so have I. Loosing an argument doesn't prove that gods dont exist and winning an argument doesnt prove either. stop taking things personally and find people who you really want to contend with, the 'arguable' people.
348061
Okay, there are really a lot of smarties out there. This isn't a 'Christian' site, but I knew what you meant. We are in the Religion section and you are asking a religious question, so why do these atheist morons have to get in and disrupt and adult conversation??? Psa 14:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
461080
First, tabbymomma is not making a statement or asking a question about whether or not god exists, or the veracity of atheism versus agnosticism versus Christianity.  What she is asking, is why do people call other people idiots when they are trying to convince them that their view is right?\n\nI agree with her.\n\nIt seems the "debate" in here consists of believers and non-believers calling each other idiots.  This is not a debate.  Neither is telling a non-believer he/she is going to hell, or telling a believer they are in the thrall of ignorant superstition.  Debate involves respecting your opponent, and his or her ideas, while you are pointing out what you believe are the fallacies.  In the very least, it involves a little civility.\n\n___________________________________________________________\n\nOh, and an agnostic is not a "pansy" atheist.  Agnostics hold that, ultimately, the existence or non-existence of divinity can not be proven one way or the other (and, the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence), so this is a question which is ultimately unanswerable and unknowable.  This is different from atheists, who believe there is no god at all.
1187083
Copied from my blog for this very popular question.  I tell you, I am shooting up to level 6 just cuz of this question!  :-D  Yeaaa!\n\nOh, ummm, it's Atheism for the philosophy and atheist for one who practices atheism.  :-)\n\nI, as only one spiritual atheist, am here to learn about the various religions, philosophies and spiritualities of the world.  I always held fascination with religions in general (not just christianity---ALL religions, old and new).   I do not seek a "god" belief, but here to seek how people attain inner-peace, self-knowledge, inner-wisdom and how they attain peace in their lives in general---and that I might learn a thing or two. :-)   I seek to find and improve on my own atheistic spirituality, to improve upon myself. Isn't that what spirituality is basically about? I believe so! \n\nI also hang out here NOT to "defeat religion" but mainly to give the "other side" of the equation, to give information, and to let others know that there are more than one valid way to see, learn and experience the world.   R/S section is not "just reserved for the theists". It is reserved for all.
189024
Because atheists hate that others see the truth of GOD through faith.\n\nAtheists can't see that through GOD always being on their mind is proof that GOD exists,they choose to be blind.
638187
Maybe both conversation and debate. Some people want to prove that Christians are wrong while others may be interested in what the religion has to say for itself. It's a confusing matter but people (even me) still participate in these topics.
618728
I agree fully.\n\nPeople should be entitled to their beliefs--whatever they may be--and no one should put another down for believing something they do not agree with.\n\nI don't believe in Christianity, but I am not about to go dissing a bunch of Christians or make such judgemental posts.\n\nThis is a place to ask questions, not criticize. It seems wrong to me to ask a question with a judgement in it. Anyone who disagrees is automatically wrong in the asker's eyes.\n\nGood question on your part.
931889
Amen! <grin> \n\nYeah, many religious people seem unable to even consider that their religious beliefs are something that could be questioned. Political correctness runs rampant among the Christians (and obviously among the Muslims as well). Can you imagine the battles we'd be having here if atheists were this sensitive about their beliefs too? Whew... \n\nThere are a number of them here though who are better than that. My hat is off to them.