How often do you debate religion in real life? [Spirituality & Religion]

@sumojumo Thanks. I did keep it secret for a few years, but I just got tired of lying I guess. Not sure if it helped anyone in any way, but it at least wasn't as hard.

@BlueVeins That's usually how it is, you don't really start religious debates, people just come to you because they have a problem. You don't even need to be atheist either for a monotheist to have a problem with another monotheist, it just happens naturally.

@BlueVeins And I been friends with Christians before but you're right, lying doesn't really work. You get tired of it eventually, even if you're doing it for good reasons. Like I was friends with this older lady at work who was heavily Christian, she was nice for awhile until she started openly praying. I didn't have a problem with that but she tried to force me to say things like God is great and reciting bible verses and stuff.

I just wasn't feeling it, it's hard to really be friends with someone, it's like a vegan trying to date a meat eater or something 🤣

@whowasthatmaskedman Oh yes, I forgot about the people that come to your door. I only had two older ladies trying to read me the Bible - a few months ago. That was a bit weird.

@sumojumo Sending old ladies is cheating. They can get as bitter and twisted as they like and you have to stay polite. I just like to raise a few points about why god is doing such a god awful job and why shouldnt we judge him on his performance.?

@whowasthatmaskedman the Mormons are also cheating because they send poor confused teenagers. I talked with a few of them, they are always on a script, and I almost feel sorry for demolishing their arguments :)

@LithiumDrop keeping an open mind is very important, but also being critical of what you let in.

@SW-User Same here, but wouldn't it be nice if we would talk openly about it. So the bad ideas would get the beating they deserve?

@sumojumo That's usually what I love doing but, unfortunately, the art of even agreeing to disagree is increasingly rare to find.

Most people I come across debate strictly to win, not to find a solution both parties can be comfortable with. To add more fuel to the fire, disagreeing on a topic often leads to completely writing that person off, as if the sum of all that makes them up is the same as that one tiny piece that is that one topic.

@SW-User oh, YES, that is so true. People are so attached to their ideas, and it makes them assholes very quickly. Instead of listening, people are just waiting to proselytize to you

@bijouxbroussard some people find answers for life in their mythology. And they also make life decisions based on this mythology. That is why I find it very influential. But of course I understand and respect what you mean. These debates are not exactly something that most people would find "entertaining".

@sumojumo I get it. But the problem I’ve found with life discussions that involve the very devout and religion is that they leave very little room for any other perspective. I had a conversation with someone I like; even archeological history becomes obscured for him if the timeline coincides with his understanding of what was mentioned in the Bible. He accepts the Bible as a literal account of the times.

@bijouxbroussard I see, that is the unfortunate reality

@SW-User I think there are three phrases that are incredibly difficult for people to say:
1. I do not know
2. I am wrong
3. We disagree, and that's great

@Pikachu nice to hear that, yes, exactly. Irl debates are not so horrible as the online debates. Online people hide behind their keyboards and are just ready to attack. Whereas face to face, the empathy and humanity play a much stronger role.

@SatanBurger absolutely, it is respect first, and with open cards, everyone should be honest upfront what their views are. That is the only legitimate way to discuss anything

@indyjoe Of course I have to agree with you. I think we are talking from two different standpoints. You are describing the situation as it currently is (unfortunately), but I am trying to think about a more optimal scenario. If most of the people were educated from their childhood to be less attached to these ideas the aggression would be a far smaller problem. That is why I would like to encourage people to discuss these things more. The keyword here is of course DISCUSS, not just tell other people your viewpoint. And I know this might sound idealistic, but I have seen people change drastically as soon as they change their "attack position" for a "listening position".

@sumojumo That IS the point I was making...discussion has been on the table for a long time (since the beginning actually) and it has not been taken advantage of nor has it worked. Why? Human nature. Plain and simple. Everyone has to be in agreement with what you are saying and put it into action as well...that hasn't happened and is not happening. I'm not being pessimistic, I'm being realistic

@indyjoe Well, then I am staying very optimistic, I can't help myself. I think that we can overcome that part of human nature with careful education. I have seen great changes in people that stubbornly defended their beliefs, and I think we can generalize some friendly approaches to do the same for everyone. I know I might be an idealist, but I simply refuse to give up on this noble goal.

@purplepen Why take it or leave it? I am surprised by this response actually. You think it is not possible for your beliefs to improve?

I think one of the best ways to improve (in all aspects) is to expose your beliefs and just discuss about them.

@CopperCicada Debating is not converting. Debating means, lets us examine our ideas, see what is good and what is bad, and let us all learn something.

@SW-User ... so occasionally?

@sumojumo I’m always down to debate religion, and yeah it’s easier to be nasty online

@Zeuro Do you live in a more religious or secular society?

@sumojumo I mean, I live in Southern California with a Christian mother and a Jewish atheist father, so I guess in the middle?

@Harriet03 People hold a lot of beliefs and their beliefs influence the reality in a BIG way. So that is pretty real, wouldn't you say?

@sumojumo True, but define "beliefs"

@Harriet03 A belief is something that someone holds true. One of such things is religion

@Dejavu that is also a good tactics :). But i think it is not completely pointless. I think most of the people are more rational than they think. Someone just needs to push them a little bit. Have you heard of Street Epistemology?

I scanned thru it. I sort of used an abridged version before I ever knew what it was. Once I encountered some Mormons that were selling me their goods and I asked them about a situation that happened the night before where a guy walks into a church, sits for an hour with a prayer study group and then guns them all down. I asked them according to their religion 'if that guy accepts their god as his lord and savior and truly repents he goes to heaven right?' Then I asked if one of the people that was gunned down was their mom would they be okay with the murderer being in heaven with their mom. The rookie automatically said 'no' and was cut off by the more experienced one that said he'd be cool with forgiving the guy because of his faith. And that my friend is why I will never debate religion.

Very nicely put. I can see and respect your point. I would see the guy as a horrible victim of religion. He had to kill his humanity to respond that way

@NankerPhelge do you think debating it is not "live and let live"? Debating is not necessarily threatening anyone.

@SageAdvice By choice?

@SageAdvice [b]OK[/b]

@basilfawlty89 the keyboard makes some people horrible, just because they think they can be. That is why I think we have to lead with example. So make online communities friendly.