How to correctly debate with someone who is a religious extremist?

2007-03-05 19:19:56

#1

d4rkst4r: biggie smalls; +72|6881|Ontario, Canada

In my life, I know alot people that are religious, but whenever I attempt to approach them with this topic, they simply will not listen to anyone else and believe everyone is wrong but themselves. My question is, how do you approach these people to get them to listen and not resort to very loud arguing?

"you know life is what we make it, and a chance is like a picture, it'd be nice if you just take it"

2007-03-05 19:21:51

#2

Des.Kmal: Member; +917|7046|Atlanta, Georgia, USA

convert.

Add me on Origin for Battlefield 4 fun: DesKmal

2007-03-05 19:22:18

#3

usmarine2007: Banned; +374|6795|Columbus, Ohio

Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.

2007-03-05 19:26:57

#4

G3|Genius: Pope of BF2s; +355|7054|Sea to globally-cooled sea

being a religious guy myself who likes to debate other religious people and non-religious people alike:

some people you will never be able to argue with civilly. The best approach is to let them say everything they want to say. Ask them engaging questions when they say something you think is preposterous:

The only people who can be saved belong to “the one true faith - the western branch of American Reform Presbo-Lutheranism.” (to quote the simpsons).

now this is a ridiculous thing to say but there are people out there who act just like that. The best way to engage in a civil discussion with someone is to respond, "why do you believe that."

You will find that most people really love talking about their passion, and the longer you let them talk, the more comfortable they become with you. Then they will not be as defensive when you say your piece.

That's my advice...Good luck

2007-03-05 19:40:23

#5

DesertFox-: The very model of a modern major general; +796|7113|United States of America

I don't see why religion becomes a hot topic for anyone. I know plenty of assorted and sundry religions and rarely does it interfere with the social atmosphere. It matters just as much as what topping is a persons favorite on a pizza.

usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.

It's a misinterpretation like this that leads to persecution. Every person has free will. God has no control over the decisions people make. Same as why voters didn't elect Catholics because they thought that we were somehow bound to obey the pope as a god.

Last edited by DesertFox423 (2007-03-05 19:51:55)

2007-03-05 19:45:24

#6

David.P: Banned; +649|6702

usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.

Because we are the devil. And satan is a way for humans to shift blame on something other then themselves.

2007-03-05 22:29:36

#7

Bubbalo: The Lizzard; +541|6989

usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.

You really don't get Christianity at all, do you? Besides which, there are many religions which aren't monotheistic. Also, you don't get the point of faith, but then neither does the original poster. Religion cannot be proven or disproven, and debating it is pointless.

2007-03-05 22:41:07

#8

iamangry: Member; +59|7073|The United States of America

Don't.

2007-03-05 22:52:41

#9

Fen321: Member; +54|6926|Singularity

What is free will if people believe in concepts like purpose?

2007-03-05 22:54:48

#10

madmurre: I suspect something is amiss; +117|7138|Sweden

Bubbalo wrote:
usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.
You really don't get Christianity at all, do you? Besides which, there are many religions which aren't monotheistic. Also, you don't get the point of faith, but then neither does the original poster. Religion cannot be proven or disproven, and debating it is pointless.

Yea.. arguing with someone who strongly believes in greater powers is awesome you will get all those super duper fun answers as "god is almighty noone knows what he has in mind...." or noone but god knows the answer" just makes me wanna go crazy at them.

2007-03-05 22:54:57

#11

ATG: Banned; +5,233|6957|Global Command

Just explain to them the shared character traits among major religions that think they are different.

2007-03-05 23:01:33

#12

djphetal: Go Ducks.; +346|6764|Oregon

Bubbalo wrote:
Religion cannot be proven or disproven, and debating it is pointless.

QFT.
period.

2007-03-06 04:06:23

#13

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,072|7200|PNW

d4rkst4r wrote:
In my life, I know alot people that are religious, but whenever I attempt to approach them with this topic, they simply will not listen to anyone else and believe everyone is wrong but themselves. My question is, how do you approach these people to get them to listen and not resort to very loud arguing?

If it's Scientology you do battle with, you've already lost. It is too late for them.

2007-03-06 04:09:38

#14

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,072|7200|PNW

usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.

Oh jeez...boo f*ckin' hoo, marine. Are you going to blame everything on God now (even if only theoretically)? If God does exist and you meet Him after death, are you going to put on an angst-ridden Harry Potter 'WHY ME' rampage in front of his tolerant-but-wearied Dumbledorean features?

Don't worry, I took care to make the above about as pointless and uninformative as yours. On the flip side, I also mock those who credit God and 'the devil' for all day-to-day activities, good and ill.

Last edited by unnamednewbie13 (2007-03-06 04:14:15)

2007-03-06 04:20:12

#15

Phrozenbot: Member; +632|7044|do not disturb

usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.

Free will.

2007-03-06 04:26:35

#16

-Whiteroom-: Pineapplewhat; +572|7087|BC, Canada

d4rkst4r wrote:
In my life, I know alot people that are religious, but whenever I attempt to approach them with this topic, they simply will not listen to anyone else and believe everyone is wrong but themselves. My question is, how do you approach these people to get them to listen and not resort to very loud arguing?

only do this if you are looking for a long drawn out argument that you can always bring up with the person if you dont have anything to talk about, and dont mind a little frustration.

2007-03-06 04:33:00

#17

cospengle: Member; +140|6915|Armidale, NSW, Australia

iamangry wrote:
Don't.

QFE

If you're like me, and dislike people trying to talk me into being religious, then why would you want to talk them out of it?

Of course, asking a D&STer not to debate something is like asking a fat kid not to eat that pizza...

2007-03-06 05:18:06

#18

usmarine2007: Banned; +374|6795|Columbus, Ohio

=ST6=Phrozenbot wrote:
usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.
Free will.

Ah yes, the other common answer. If God controls the universe, but people have "free will," then what the hell is he controlling? Essentially, he is not controlling anything if people have free will to do what they want right?

2007-03-06 05:19:20

#19

usmarine2007: Banned; +374|6795|Columbus, Ohio

unnamednewbie13 wrote:
usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.
Oh jeez...boo f*ckin' hoo, marine. Are you going to blame everything on God now (even if only theoretically)? If God does exist and you meet Him after death, are you going to put on an angst-ridden Harry Potter 'WHY ME' rampage in front of his tolerant-but-wearied Dumbledorean features?

Boo hoo? WTF am I crying about? And what am I blaming on god?

2007-03-06 05:20:04

#20

Cybargs: Moderated; +2,285|7144

https://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3083/adventuresofgodbk7.jpg

https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png

2007-03-06 05:20:22

#21

usmarine2007: Banned; +374|6795|Columbus, Ohio

Bubbalo wrote:
usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.
You really don't get Christianity at all, do you? Besides which, there are many religions which aren't monotheistic. Also, you don't get the point of faith, but then neither does the original poster. Religion cannot be proven or disproven, and debating it is pointless.

12 years of catholic school, so I understand all to well.

2007-03-06 05:56:48

#22

CameronPoe: Member; +2,925|6983

The way you argue with a religious extremist is by stuffing a sock in his mouth and beating him into submission with a small club adorned with rusty nails.

2007-03-06 07:27:30

#23

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|7010|SE London

usmarine2007 wrote:
=ST6=Phrozenbot wrote:
usmarine2007 wrote:
Ask them why God allows kids to be tortured and murdered for example. Then, when they say it is the work of the devil, ask then why God cannot overpower the devil.
Free will.
Ah yes, the other common answer. If God controls the universe, but people have "free will," then what the hell is he controlling? Essentially, he is not controlling anything if people have free will to do what they want right?

Ah yes, the free will get out clause.

It's a bit like me saying I'm all powerful and control the whole world, but I have to let other people make the decisions for themselves.

2007-03-06 07:50:30

#24

JahManRed: wank; +646|7056|IRELAND

I just don't bother. Religion is everyones personal choice.

Maybe it's because if you ask someone about religion were I'm from, you are mostly likely to either get lynched or at best told to feck off.

2007-03-06 08:15:33

#25

EVieira: Member; +105|6906|Lutenblaag, Molvania

d4rkst4r wrote:
In my life, I know alot people that are religious, but whenever I attempt to approach them with this topic, they simply will not listen to anyone else and believe everyone is wrong but themselves. My question is, how do you approach these people to get them to listen and not resort to very loud arguing?

There is no argument. When a person is an extremist, a fanatical, he is beyond reason. Without reason, there is no argument. Its pointless.

A word of redneck wisdom seems in order here: "Don't try to teach a pig how to dance. You'll just waist your time and annoy the pig".

"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them."
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

BF2S Forums How to correctly debate with someone who is a religious extremist?

usmarine2007 wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

Bubbalo wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

Bubbalo wrote:

d4rkst4r wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

d4rkst4r wrote:

iamangry wrote:

=ST6=Phrozenbot wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

unnamednewbie13 wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

Bubbalo wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

=ST6=Phrozenbot wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

d4rkst4r wrote:

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