I recently had quite a lengthy debate-ish type discussion with my ex-girlfriend's friend about biblical matters. Predominately of which were the YEC topics to which she ascribes to. The discussion came around to me saying that the evidence has shown quite irrifutably that there was no flood, no vapor canopy (yes, she fell ill to hovind's shenanigans), the earth is old as hell, etc.. She stated that she had evidence to the contrary. When pressed, she admitted that she took it on faith about these issues. I told her that these sorts of issues are ones that shouldn't be taken on faith since they can be proven empirically.
As a rule, I do not think it is a good tactic to debate one's faith, nor do I even think it is possible. This is pretty much where our discussion because I told her from the get go that I would not even attempt to debate her faith since it isn't something that can be tested against.
My question is this: is it possible to successfully and honestly debate someones faith when it so obviously intermingles with matters that can be proven via evidence? Is it acceptable? How would one go about doing this when the other party simply refuses to accept any science that goes against their belief system?
For the sake of this discussion, we shall assume that the individual is fairly open minded, just a bit mis-guided and happily ignorant.
There are a couple other sub-topics I may bring up that relate to this if they happen to come up.
I will leave topic placement in the hands of the administration staff.
Edited by hooah212002, : No reason given.
"A still more glorious dawn awaits
Not a sunrise, but a galaxy rise
A morning filled with 400 billion suns
The rising of the milky way"
-Carl Sagan
™ Version 4.2