I just had a debate with a Christian...?
...During the course of which I was called an "idiot," and a "ignorant sinner." She also told me that the key to accepting Christ was not to think about it, and that (this is an actual quote) "rational thought is the tool of the Devil." May I also add that this started out as a conversation about the FDA being overly involved in organic farming, and that she suddenly shouted "all the regulation is necessary because of terrorism," and cited it as a reason for oppressive government regulation, and that a lack in faith in "God" was the reason for terrorism, as a sort of punishment. I am an atheist, and I have actually had similar debates on at least 3 more occasions, during which I was thoroughly insulted, threatened, and belittled by the people supposedly promoting "love and acceptance." I've also debated a Mormon, Muslim, and Jehovah's Witness on separate occasions, with the Muslim guy actually being the most courteous of all. What are your opinions on the fanaticism of these types of people? I want honest opinions from people with something interesting to say, you do not have to be atheists, I just don't want spam with random bible quotes and fanatics telling me that I'm "going to hell" (I've heard it all before, and threatening me with the wrath of an imaginary being will not change my opinions). Oh, and for the record, in each encounter, I tended to know more about the person's religion than they did themselves, and subsequently won (exception being the Muslim guy, we ended on a stalemate because I didn't have too much information on that religion).
Top Reporter, this is not a troll post. This is an actual event that happened to me around lunchtime.
I actually have a Buddhist friend, he and I get along just fine because he doesn't try to push anything on me.
@ ? , I actually have won 6 religious arguments within my recent memory 4 (including this one) were Christians of various sects, 1 was Mormon, and 1 was Jehovah's Witness, the debate with the Muslim ended in stalemate. I have a knowledge of most forms of Christianity because I actually switched denominations a lot in my youth trying to find the "right" one. I was indoctrinated in my youth as a Catholic (I was baptized as an infant), then switched to Baptist, Protestant, Lutheran, Jewish, then I became a Jehovah's Witness, before becoming agnostic, and finally settling in as an atheist. I've gathered enough information on Mormonism to counter any arguments offered up. I've actually had many religious debates, the majority of which I have won, although I can't really recall what denominations the people were. All of these debates were instigated by the other party.
cougargirl_123, believe what you want (because you'll do so anyway), but this is all true. Now that you mention it, it almost seems like fanatics seek me out to do verbal battle with me (Scientific Method, I choose you!).
Athene, I said nothing of the sort. I only asked people's opinions on FANATICS. That does not imply that you are all fanatics.