Basing conversation on fact or experience

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Lauren's picture
Basing conversation on fact or experience

I have done little research on information about Biblical text, historical events, evolution, etc. primarily because it's not of my interest. All I know is that I do not see or feel God, he is never on my mind, so I have not taken interest in the subject of God and have called myself an atheist.

I do not feel that I should debate the subject and announce study after study about proof against or for God. Why should I? I have my own experience and that is the ultimate truth to me. When I get into conversations with religious people though it's a completely different story. They assume I believe in evolution and will give me one example after the other about how God has been supported by science when the fact of the matter is I could care less. My stance is focused on experience and observation, not scientific findings.

I think the next time I get into a conversation about God I will focus primarily on experience rather than let scientific findings be the center topic.

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James's picture
Lauren: Go girl! you dont

Lauren: Go girl! you dont have to explain yourself to anyone... i have read the bible and christian people always find a way to win the conversation with their lame retoric plus most of them are so close minded they would´nt second guess themselves and they are always "right"

Tman127182's picture
well, in a debate, it's good

well, in a debate, it's good to have something more than just your own experience, because that would be very subjective and the conversation would just be between two people that have different personal experiences with something which I think doesn't go anywhere, which is why I think bringing some objective data to the table would be recommended.

James's picture
i have debated christians

i have debated christians using quotes fom the bible and trust me it doesnt work...

Tman127182's picture
of course it doesn't work,

of course it doesn't work, because of confirmation bias as well as that the bible is not objective data, it's based on other people's personal religious opinions, which is subjective.

Tman127182's picture
of course it doesn't work,

of course it doesn't work, because of confirmation bias as well as that the bible is not objective data, it's based on other people's personal religious opinions, which is subjective.

Lauren's picture
I agree it is good to be

I agree it is good to be knowledgeable of some "factual" data to at least respond to common statements that Christians and related theists use when sharing their beliefs. Altogether though it is like a deep black hole that never ends when researching these topics and communicating with theists, as James pointed out, is usually an ongoing discussion of twisting scripture's meanings.

In the end though what I have is my personal journey and experience and I do not feel that I should debate with someone about the existence of something that has had no impact on me from what I can tell. I would like to hear more about their experiences as well rather than how much research they have conducted.

DarkLight's picture
Conversation should always be

Conversation should always be based on experience when available, and facts when experience is lacking. No one can be experienced in everything. It's just not possible in one lifetime and most people who attempt such thing only end up being mediocre at a bunch of things. You would need to live hundreds of years to be able to speak factually and from experience at the same time in all subjects.

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