Friday Discussion

[Ares]

Friday Discussion

Since I won’t be able to make it to the meeting on Friday I thought I would just put in my two cents here instead. I will try to make it brief and I would love to hear everyone else’s thoughts as well.

I really don’t think that Theists/Creationists should be trying to debate logically with Skeptics/Atheists. I don’t really think they can nor should they be trying to win with logic. Isn’t that why it’s called faith? You don’t need logic or evidence to prove faith, or else it wouldn’t be faith it would be fact. I’m just tired of seeing Theists/Creationists get slaughtered in these debates, they try to back up the bible with scientific facts but in the end they just make themselves look foolish and this tarnishes the reputation of the church even further, sadly.

[Steve]

I will also be unable to attend.  I have dance classes until the end of February, so I will also give my opinion as well.  I personally think that you can debate anyones ideas as long as it is kept civil.  I agree with Ares though that logic cannot be applied to matters of faith by their definition as a matter of "faith".  Using the bible, which is in every sense a story book (or morality play) to try and prove scientific concepts would be the same as me trying to use the Lord of the Rings to prove that Elves exist.

I do believe that faith and science are NOMA (Non-Overlapping MAgisteria).  Faith by definition cannot have proof or it becomes knowledge.  There is a difference between knowing something exists and believing it does.  I am not too sure but I think faith and knowledge even use different parts of the brain.

In addition to this I don't think we should limit ourselves to Judeo-Christian beliefs in creation.  I think it would be just as valid to target Wiccan and Neo-Pagan beliefs as well. These usually make it under the radar because they don't grand stand to the extent Christianity does.  Bullshit is bullshit regardless of how sexy it looks in a long black sorceress'dress.

I've also noticed a trend recently that debating Islam has become subdued.  I don't blame people either.  I wouldn't want to receive death threats either.  Behead those who say Islam is not a peaceful religion!!

In summary, I think we should open up the table to debate all forms of creationism, not just Judeo-Christian ones.

[brian]

I don't think people are not debating Islam because they are afraid.  I think that there are two things to it.  First is that Christianity is by far the dominant religion in North America, so not only is it the most pressing concern it is also a lot easier to find a Christian to debate.  Throw a rock into a crowd (only if you're without sin ) and chances are you'll hit a Christian, not a Muslim.

The other thing is when we do get into it, we get a little queasy because we wind up being on the same side as the asshole Christians who start wars and want to promote all sorts of discrimination against Muslims, while most atheists are the first to oppose discrimination based on religion.  And they were the guys we were just debating yesterday!