Why Atheists Debate With Theists

[nailit]

It was suggested in another thread that atheists who debate/contribute to R&S are obsessive and may require therapy. I cant speak for other non-believers but I can speak for myself.
I debate/contribute to R&S for the same reasons that the politically minded contribute to news, for the same reason that right wingers will debate left wingers. I have minimal interest in politics so don't often get involved in those debates. I also don't have much knowledge of politics but I do have some knowledge of religion and in particular the Bible. I am not obsessive, I have stated many times that I have fundamentalist Christian friends and that I work with Christians but the topic of faith/belief rarely crops up in day to day life and I rarely, if ever, think about it. But if questions of faith arise, I WILL, give my viewpoint - as I do on here.
I don't believe in God or some supernatural being, I don't believe in biblical prophecy and I don't believe in miracles...and will give my reasons why when asked. When the Bible is toted as truth I will give my reasons why I don't believe that. When the Bible is held up as a moral guide book I will say why it isn't.
Some people on here seem to have an 'obsessive' interest in other sections of the site. I wouldn't say that they needed 'therapy'. We all have our own interests and mine happens to be R&S mainly because its something that I know a little about.
Hope this helps ;-)

[pixie374]

Don't take it personally, theland x if you are happy to give your views, it is fair enough for people to question them.

[pixie374]

Don't take it personally, theland x if you are happy to give your views on a public site, you know they are likely to be questioned.

[pixie374]

Sorry, my internet playing up!

[naomi24]

Theland, stop with the attention-seeking wobbly-throwing. You carry it from thread to thread. You give as good as you get – and more. Discussion solely on your terms isn’t an option here.

You say //Christianity has been corrupted by many churches and man made religions.// …. and yet you believe the corruption of Judaism that is Christianity – its doctrine and myths having been formulated long after the event by people who weren't there. How easy to attribute words to the unspeaking dead - not to mention the potential of fulfilling prophecy by design. A written word here or there – voila! We have a messiah – but one bearing no resemblance whatsoever to expectation. How odd that overlooked and ignored are words far more likely to reflect reality. According to the bible, Jesus told his disciples that he had come for the Jews alone, which – Judaism being the one religion that doesn’t seek or want converts - is far more likely. Why don’t you believe it?

Returning to the creation, you claim that this omniscient God is responsible. If that is so, it follows that he also created the potential for corruption - which takes us back to his confession that he is accountable for both good and evil. Why don’t you believe it?

Actually the bible tells us he wasn’t aware that his creation would be corrupted which suggests that his omniscience wasn’t so ‘omniscient’ after all. Why don’t you believe it?

Something may have created the universe, Theland – but in my opinion you’ve got the wrong bloke.

[naomi24]

Incidentally, your much-lauded theologians are on a mission – and it isn’t a truth-seeking mission.

[Theland]

During His life, Jesus only preached to the Jews.
His word was spread to the Gentiles after His death.
Judaism stayed true to the Torah, and is so to this day, apart from temple worship.

[Theland]

What are my much lauded theologians to do except follow the evidence?

[Theland]

Rejecting God is evil. God gave man a choice, he chose evil.
God declared evil on the Jews who rejected Him, and it was so.

[Theland]

Judaism wasn't corrupted, it was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

[Theland]

You reject prophecy because it does not suit your agenda, not because it is not true.

[Theland]

"Fulfilling prophecy by design," would you expand on that?

[naomi24]

Theland, //During His life, Jesus only preached to the Jews.
His word was spread to the Gentiles after His death.//

Exactly.

//What are my much lauded theologians to do except follow the evidence?//

They don’t follow the evidence. They do what you do – read and believe selectively.

//Rejecting God is evil. //

That’s an unqualified statement.

//God declared evil on the Jews who rejected Him, and it was so.//

Sorry Theland, but that is laughable. ‘Worship me or else’ – says God. That attitude doesn’t engender genuine love and respect – it engenders fear – and that’s precisely why the faithful ‘worship’ that God. They're terrified of their own mortality. Nothing commendable in that.

//Judaism wasn't corrupted, it was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.//

Chapter and verse please.

//You reject prophecy because it does not suit your agenda, not because it is not true.//

I reject prophecy because it’s abject nonsense. You'll note that Egypt is yet to be rendered a barren wasteland. Not quite so simple to arrange, that one.

//"Fulfilling prophecy by design," would you expand on that?//

I’ve expanded on it – several times – the latest being a week or so back.

[Theland]

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-christ-fulfilled-and-ended-the-old-testament-regime

Old Testament fulfilled in Jesus

[Theland]

You deny fulfilled prophecy - Israel for example.

[naomi24]

Oh, Theland, do stop it for goodness sake. That’s an impartial and balanced piece if ever there was one!! Got anything sensible - written by someone sensible - for me to read?

[naomi24]

//You deny fulfilled prophecy - Israel for example. //

Fulfilled by design. I told you why and how a week or so back.

[Theland]

I don't understand how you consider yourself such an authority and arbiter on what is true, where your opinions eclipse every single piece of evidence presented.
Returning to the question of Israel, where every single prophecy came trus but denied by you.
You never explained that.
Except for your absurd account that it was rational.

[Theland]

Egypt - Yes that remains a problem for me. But then I continue to learn.

[naomi24]

Theland, I haven't studied this. It's just the result of a quick google. Have a read.

[naomi24]

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Biblical_prophecies