Queen of Swords

I have been scheduled for a discussion on Monday with a Christian who will probably try to convert me (his wife said to my mother, "what a sweet girl she is, we can't just leave her like that").

<pause for the laughter to stop>

My question is, where to start? I hate this kind of vague, anywhere-is discussion; I like the question(s) to be as specific as possible. Since the topic seems to be me and why I do not believe in a god, I was thinking of opening with my three-part summary of where I stand and what would have to be done to move me from this position :

1. Show me that a god exists.
2. Show me that this god is your god.
3. Show me that your god is worthy of my respect.

At least this way, the fellow won't go into rhapsodies about how God wound up his watch, nor is he likely to debate the original Hebrew meaning of the term in Matthew 6:21 and how it compares to its Greek counterpart in Timothy 2:12. Does anyone else have any other suggestions as to what I could ask him, bearing in mind that the playing field, right now, is wide open?

Ronin

Short list:


Why does your god need salesmen?

Why does your god need recognition?

Where does your god come from?

Why does your god hide?

Why are there so many other galaxies?

If I have free will, why can't I breathe water or fly by flapping my arms really, really fast?

If your god has a plan and it is unknowable to me, but plainly violent, then how can it have any caring for humans at all?

How can a god die?

If a man dies and goes to eternal paradise as a prince, how is that a sacrifice?

Why is the world the same as it always has been despite each of the gods supposed interventions?

How come good people are good and bad people are bad no matter what they believe in?

----------

PS I predict some version of Pascal's wager will be introduced at some point...if he's got any sack to him at all.

Darth Dane

If I have free will, why can't I breathe water or fly by flapping my arms really, really fast?


Because you don't have faith as a mustard seed.

How can a god die?


God is unborn. I know it is a paradox. Go figure









DD - Love & Laughter

Ronin

I've yet to observe the mustard seed that could breathe water or fly by flapping its arms really, really fast DD.

Though, I don't doubt that you may claim to have.



Well, if the field is open to paradox, then there are just as many disproving gods...interestingly enough.

Now, if we are done juggling smoke, let us return to the regularly scheduled OP.

Jeremy Pallant

In your place I'd go with the "I've read the Bible, and I don't see it's appeal" approach.

I mean, there's nothing about it that I find particularly appealing.

Darth Dane

Now, if we are done juggling smoke, let us return to the regularly scheduled OP.

I was presenting possible answers from the theist to those questions. I would use other questions than those two.







DD - Love & Laughter

Ronin

Then suggest the "other questions", DD.

Promoting the possibility that each question will be dismissed with paradox, parable and pipe dream, is already a given.

Darth Dane

Why does your god need salesmen?

Why does your god need recognition?

Where does your god come from?

Why does your god hide?

Why are there so many other galaxies?

I'd assume this is a standard christian theist, so these questions are beyond my knowledge.

I'd have my answers, but then again, I am not a standard theist, and I am not then one questioned.







DD - Love & Laughter

Godot

You can always ask if their particular flavour is "salvation by faith" or "salvation by acts." Depending on their answer, you either get to go to heaven irrespective of your beliefs, or you get to hammer them on the fate of those people that have never been given the opportunity to accept or reject jeebus.

Heathen Dawn

Why are there:

good people who prosper
good people who suffer
bad people who prosper, and
bad people who suffer,

without any system to it at all?

If he gives "God works in mysterious ways" then he has lost.