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Author Topic:   What would prove you wrong?
Teapots&unicorns
Member (Idle past 4887 days)
Posts: 178
Joined: 06-23-2009


Message 1 of 3 (590750)
11-09-2010 7:01 PM


Commonly, whenever an atheist meets a Christian- or any other religious person- and asks what would make them deconvert, or else convert to another religion, they are answered with "Nothing. I am completely firm in my faith." However, if an atheist is answered the same question, you will almost always get a genuine list of possible reasons that they would convert to a religion, Christianity or otherwise.
Now, this presents a conundrum- or does it? After all, many believers think that they are perfectly justified in "blind faith", and so are content to just believe in their God. (Ironically, these people are often the least-educated about their respective religions).
However, there are some theists who assert that they do, in fact, believe in God due to some evidence or other reasons, whether objective or subjective. If this is indeed the case, then would not contrary evidence move your opinion to the contrary?
I am proposing this thread for people to state and explain possible reasons that they could have for (de)converting, both for believers and for atheists.
I'll go first.
I would convert to Christianity (or any other religion) if:
1. God appeared to and spoke with me personally, and in consciousness, not in a dream or 'vision'.
2. A prophecy in the Bible (or other religious book) came completely true, without any human interference whatsoever. (For example, predicting an earthquake or other natural disaster to a specific date and location)
3. Definitive results were obtained from prayer (such as faith-healing for those of a particular sect, or else smiting of atheists).
And so on. Please, for the love of Einstein, don't say something abstract like, "Prove that morality/justice/etc. does not exist", as these are non-concrete concepts and cannot be proven/disproven. Additionally, please refrain from saying such ridiculous things as, "Search the entire universe, atom by atom, and then tell me that there is no God". This will only serve to infuriate everyone, and because of its impossibility, is not a legitimate reason to convert (it is not falsifiable.)
Additionally, feel free to add additional evidence that would, while not directly cause you to (de)convert, would at least give you reason to consider the other side's viewpoint. For example:
1. An truly inerrant holy book.
2. A constant record of winning jihads/holy wars.
And so on.
Finally, feel free to state things that would not convince you, like:
1. Speaking in tongues.
2. Vague prophecies.
Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
(A cookie for anyone who gets the reference.)
Faith and Belief, I suppose?

I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.
- Stephen Roberts
I\'m a polyatheist - there are many gods I don\'t believe in
- Dan Foutes
"In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has widely been considered as a bad move."
- Douglas Adams

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by AdminPD, posted 11-09-2010 7:14 PM Teapots&unicorns has replied

AdminPD
Inactive Administrator


Message 2 of 3 (590752)
11-09-2010 7:14 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Teapots&unicorns
11-09-2010 7:01 PM


Not Inclined to Promote
I don't see that your topic is that much different than frako's " what would it take to convert you to the other side" thread which is still open.
Maybe you could spark life into the thread with a modified version of your proposed topic.
I'm not inclined to promote this topic because there's already a similar one open.
Thanks
AdminPD

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Teapots&unicorns, posted 11-09-2010 7:01 PM Teapots&unicorns has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by Teapots&unicorns, posted 11-09-2010 7:20 PM AdminPD has not replied

Teapots&unicorns
Member (Idle past 4887 days)
Posts: 178
Joined: 06-23-2009


Message 3 of 3 (590756)
11-09-2010 7:20 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by AdminPD
11-09-2010 7:14 PM


Re: Not Inclined to Promote
I wasn't aware that frako already had a topic similar to this. Sorry about that. Though it would seem that his topic has gotten rather off-topic, and hasn't really been touched lately- I'm not sure if many people would necessarily post/look there.
*shrug*
You're the admin. ;-)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by AdminPD, posted 11-09-2010 7:14 PM AdminPD has not replied

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