How to argue?

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

Greetings,

Being new to this list (but not to some of these arguments) please forgive
me if I ask a question that is out of place here.

Most of my life I have been arguing with religious types about various
topics.  Until recently my arguments were based on science, reason, logic,
and history.  Being out gunned, the religious folks would always try to
seek refuge in the Bible.  They would make claims such as "The Bible has
all the answers."  "I believe that the Bible is the ultimate authority."
And of course, the ubiquitous "If it is in the Bible, it has to be true."

So, realizing that it was impossible to argue from a position of logic and
reason, I brushed up on my Biblical knowledge.  Having re-read the "good
book" cover to cover in six different translations, and reading some extra
biblical works, I prepared myself to pursue them into the depths of their
own quagmire.  I had them beat hands down when it came to quoting
conflicting scripture.  I had memorized many of the famous discrepancies
and errors in their book.  Woe be it to the next unsuspecting Christian who
dared to cross me.

So, in my next few encounters, what happened?  I brought up science and
they started the predicted retreat into the Bible.  Undaunted, I followed
them right in.  I asked them things that they did not even know were in
there.  I pointed out conflicting passages and obvious errors.  What did
they do?  Most replied that there were some typographical errors in the
Bible, and some things that seemed at-odds, but these were things that man
was not meant to understand.  I asked them to state just what parts of the
Bible can be believed, since they admitted that there were errors.  They
told me that "all of it" must be believed, but not literally.  They seem to
agree that the Bible needs to be interpreted not literally, but by somehow
"feeling" what the true message is.  They were not able to tell me how to
differentiate their "feelings" from those caused by a bad meal.

I tried to pin them down on more detail as to what their "feelings" had
lead them to believe.  I asked about the Biblical teachings regarding
slavery, women's proper role, mass murder, and the many other dubious
practices contained therein.  They all told me that a lot of those things
are not to be believed or are no longer applicable.  When pressed, they
admitted that they really could not tell me why, just that "in their heart"
they knew what was to be taken seriously.

Anyway, the name I came up with for this (none of them liked it) was "Ala
Carte Christian."  They like the juicy tidbits about love and peace, but
leave the more distasteful morsels behind, ignored.  

So my question:  How does one argue or respond to these ala cartes?  They
are so loose and floppy that they will not commit to anything.  I would
much rather argue with a hardcore, fire and brimstone "Bible banger" than
these spineless creatures.  

On the good side, I get a lot fewer Christians coming around now.  So far,
none of the locals have dared to attempt a return engagement.

Once again, I apologize if this is not the proper place for a question of
this type.

Carl Geisik

• Previous message: Fishers Of Men == pun?
• Next message: saying goodby, again
• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]