Religious Debates Question

Has anyone ever experienced a committed Christian being won over by atheist argument? Or a committed atheist being won over by a Christian argument?

Originally posted by ivangrice
Has anyone ever experienced a committed Christian being won over by atheist argument? Or a committed atheist being won over by a Christian argument?

Not all people fall into one of those two groups (I don't). A few points have been raised in these threads that I wasn't aware of; for example, that the evidence for the historicity of Jesus is pretty slim. Therefore, if people can learn something from the debates then they can be worthwhile if there are points raised and discussed rather than either side making simple assertions and refusing to debate.

Originally posted by no1marauder
Not all people fall into one of those two groups (I don't). A few points have been raised in these threads that I wasn't aware of; for example, that the evidence for the historicity of Jesus is pretty slim. Therefore, if people can learn something from the debates then they can be worthwhile if there are points raised and discussed rather than either side making simple assertions and refusing to debate.

Just wondering if anyone has ever seen an entrenched position change...

Originally posted by ivangrice
Just wondering if anyone has ever seen an entrenched position change...

Yes I have.

Originally posted by Brother Edwin
Yes I have.

Do tell.

Originally posted by ivangrice
Do tell.

Cant remember, someone said something, then someone said something else, ivanhoe and Shavaxima.

Well, if it changed, then it wasn't an entrenched position right?

But I am not debating so much for those who are truly committed, even if that is who I am debating against. I am debating for the audience that really does have an open mind.

Originally posted by ivangrice
Has anyone ever experienced a committed Christian being won over by atheist argument? Or a committed atheist being won over by a Christian argument?

Sure, the blood was all over the place ......

Originally posted by no1marauder
Not all people fall into one of those two groups (I don't). A few points have been raised in these threads that I wasn't aware of; for example, that the evidence for the historicity of Jesus is pretty slim. Therefore, if people can learn something from the debates then they can be worthwhile if there are points raised and discussed rather than either side making simple assertions and refusing to debate.

You're neither a Christian nor an Atheist ? Then what are you No1 ?

Originally posted by ivangrice
Has anyone ever experienced a committed Christian being won over by atheist argument? Or a committed atheist being won over by a Christian argument?

With the Power of the Holy Spirit I have heard Testamonies of Atheist come to Christ from being Preached to by a friend of theirs that was a Christian.

Originally posted by ivanhoe

You're neither a Christian nor an Atheist ? Then what are you No1 ?

An Agnostic and I don't agree with RWingett that that is essentially the same as an Atheist.

Originally posted by no1marauder
An Agnostic and I don't agree with RWingett that that is essentially the same as an Atheist.

I understand.

Originally posted by ivangrice
Has anyone ever experienced a committed Christian being won over by atheist argument? Or a committed atheist being won over by a Christian argument?

This is a very fair question.

But I think #1's point is at the essence of it. Certainly, those who are 'entrenched'
aren't going anywhere, but there are many people 'on the fence,' deciding into which
camp they will settle. These debates afford them the 'sides' of each position, allowing
them to make an informed decision before committing.

I know I don't have any chance of compelling Rwingett that, because I am an active
member in a particular faith organization, I am not a brainwashed lout trying to
convert the world. And I know that I am not going to convince Darfius that there are
errors in the Bible.

But, for those people who aren't sure that being part of a religious group could be
a rewarding experience, but you don't have to be a literalist nutcase to be part of that
group, I hope that I can give that person encouragement to feel comfortable with their
decision.

Nemesio

Originally posted by no1marauder
An Agnostic and I don't agree with RWingett that that is essentially the same as an Atheist.

I never said an agnostic was the same as an atheist. Never.

Originally posted by no1marauder
A few points have been raised in these threads that I wasn't aware of; for example, that the evidence for the historicity of Jesus is pretty slim.

A pointer. When you make a statement such as that, you come across as quite ignorant, perhaps even unintelligent. Few athiests have issues with the historicity of Christ, it is commonly accepted that He actually existed. Indeed the attempt to discredit Christianity is not in the existance of Christ, but the authenticity of His miracles. The attempt to play the 'convert to agnostic' is rather superficial.

🙂