Then how would you respond to this...

[komencanto]

Here are some other typical religious lines. What in your opinion is the easiest way to bulldoze or respond to them? I know how it could be done, I just want to do it efficiently, and in style.

Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then what DO you beleive in?

Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then how do you decide what is right and what is wrong.
(Can be responded to in many ways...)

Relgion: If we are wrong, its no big deal, but if you are wrong you go to hell.
Me:.....

Religion: If I didn´t believe in God I would find things so depressing.

I´ll post more later. What lines have you got from religious people to which you wanted a snappy answer?

[Skeptical Greg]

Originally posted by komencanto
Here are some other typical religious lines. What in your opinion is the easiest way to bulldoze or respond to them? I know how it could be done, I just want to do it efficiently, and in style.

Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then what DO you beleive in?

Any number of things.. What are some of the things you believe in besides God. Perhaps we could discuss some of those.


Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then how do you decide what is right and what is wrong.
(Can be responded to in many ways...)

Ask them how God helps them decide what is right and wrong, since the Bible is full of examples of God behaving badly..

Relgion: If we are wrong, its no big deal, but if you are wrong you go to hell.
Me:..... Why would you even consider that you might be wrong. Besides, the idea of hell is a complete contradiction of the idea of the loving God, you claim to believe in...

Religion: If I didn´t believe in God I would find things so depressing.

I feel sorry for you. My life is full of things to be happy about. The idea of a God who would destroy all living things, including innocent children, is much more depressing to me, than the idea that such a God doesn't exist..

I´ll post more later. What lines have you got from religious people to which you wanted a snappy answer?

[Nucular]

Originally posted by komencanto
Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then what DO you beleive in?Nothing, unless I see evidence for it.Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then how do you decide what is right and what is wrong.I hate this one. It shows such ignorance, and is usually employed by people I can only assume have never read the Bible. I decide what is right and wrong based partly on subjective feeling, but always balanced against the criterion of avoiding harm of any kind to others. I think it's very dangerous to abdicate moral responsibility to a book. Especially one so questionable in its morality as the Bible - for example, the atrocities ordered by God and carried out by the Israelites in Numbers and Judges, or the harsh punishments for breaking nonsensical laws, etc. Plus, why would you stick to Biblical morality? Only through fear of Hell? What kind of person does that make you? Does it mean that if Hell wasn't hanging over your head, you'd be murdering people, stealing robbing and raping?Relgion: If we are wrong, its no big deal, but if you are wrong you go to hell.Give my life to worshipping a deity that doesn't exist, living by 'His' twisted laws and morals, alienating people by telling them they'll go to Hell, supporting Christian wars based on these nonsensical notions, and... it's no big deal? Pffffft. Anyway, if you're only slightly wrong, you're just as Hellbound as me. You reject Allah, right?Religion: If I didn´t believe in God I would find things so depressing.Only if you talked to people like you.

[ebola]

Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then what DO you believe in?


1) myself.

2) I believe in the potential and promise of the human race. I believe in the human ability to adapt our environment to suit our needs and to continue to improve our standard of living. I believe in the individual's right and responsibility to choose what is best for himself, rather than having another's choice rammed down his throat. I believe that my choices should have a rational basis, rather than blindly accepting the broad and conflicting superstitious assertions of two thousand year old mostly illiterate savages with no understanding of higher math. I believe my sense of well being is my responsibility, not determined on a whim by an invisible, unknowable, non-communicative god. I believe in truth, and beauty, and awareness. What do you believe in?

Eric

[Wile E. Coyote]

Originally posted by Nucular
Does it mean that if Hell wasn't hanging over your head, you'd be murdering people, stealing robbing and raping?

I usually follow this question with the statement: "Because if so, then I do not want to shake the foundations of your beliefs for fear that you might 'go atheist' and lay waste to a village or something. Carry on."

[wollery]

Originally posted by komencanto
Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then what DO you beleive in?
Things I experience first hand or am informed about by someone I trust who has experienced them first hand.


Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then how do you decide what is right and what is wrong.
(Can be responded to in many ways...)
I just ask myself `Would I like it if it was done to me, a member of my family or a friend?' If the answer is no then it's wrong.


Relgion: If we are wrong, its no big deal, but if you are wrong you go to hell.
Me:.....
If your God is truly loving and caring and I go through life without hurting others then why should he / she / it send me to hell?


Religion: If I didn´t believe in God I would find things so depressing.
No you wouldn't, you only think that you would because you believe in God!!!!!

[kedo1981]

Oh I like this one Ebola

"I believe that my choices should have a rational basis, rather than blindly accepting the broad and conflicting superstitious assertions of two thousand year old mostly illiterate savages "

[arcticpenguin]

Originally posted by komencanto

Me: I don�t believe in God.
Religion: Then how do you decide what is right and what is wrong.
(Can be responded to in many ways...)

You could point out that versions of hte Golden Rule (http://www.fragrant.demon.co.uk/golden.html) appear in nearly all human cultures.

[Yahzi]

Originally posted by komencanto
Me: I don´t believe in God.
Religion: Then what DO you beleive in?

If it requires belief, I don't.