Are you a good debater?

How have you become good at debating? Does anyone else have the problem of completely forgetting your points and arguments in the face of a debate? How did you become good at seeing logical fallacies? I seem to be completely blind to them. Is it just practice? How do you practice? With whom do you practice? I'm almost wondering if religious forums might be a good place to remain anonymous and try things out. Good/bad idea?

I'm reading things on here and trying to learn as much as I can from everyone. I am not a confrontational person at ALL, and so when someone argues (and I mean argue. I can have calm, friendly discussions just fine), my mind goes blank and basically says, "Sh*t! Someone's arguing with you! Quick, throw emotions at them! That'll confuse 'em!"

I don't like that that's what happens. I'm wondering if anyone else was once in the same position, and what you did to get away from it.

I put this in "Theist Arguments & You" because I'm mostly concerned about my lack of ability to defend myself against a theist at this point. I'm slowly making it known that I am an atheist, and sooner or later I'm going to be confronted about it.

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Permalink Reply by Erik H. Brush on January 5, 2011 at 5:01am

Debate is pointless with a religious person. The best bet is to simply smile and remove yourself from the waste of time. You cannot discus something with someone who is too brainwashed and/or stupid to see the potential of flawed reason or lack of logic. I generally shut them down and tell them that they are changing the subject to one of the social taboos that I do not discus unless or until they are willing to sign a contract of discussion.

No signature, no discussion. I keep 10-14 of these contracts with me in most circumstances in which I may wind up running across a Christian (aka: after one of my lectures or during one of my book signings and discussions etc). I am having the contract printed up in a smaller laminated form so that I can keep it on hand for unexpected occasions. I simply don't have time to waste discussing imbecilic nonsense with under-intelligent brainwashed sheep!

But if you want to save time and keep it simple just tell them this; "Look I will give you five minutes, and I am timing you, to explain to me some logical argument for the existence of God. BUT,.. You cannot use the Bible. If God exists, there should be plenty of non-scriptural, logical verifiable proof that is unique and exclusive to only God, that proves that he exists. If you cannot prove God without the Bible then don't waste my 5 minutes with your nonsense. Agreed?"

Of course this will end their entire discussion point. Some will try to talk about nature, the world, the universe etc as proof, but you simply state , actually there is far greater proof that all of what you ascribe to God is natural and not made by any Deity. Anything else?" (Then quote them their remaining time.)

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Permalink Reply by a7 on January 5, 2011 at 6:03pm

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Permalink Reply by Bill on January 5, 2011 at 6:13pm

no?

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