Daily Encounters with Theists

orangeitis · 02-10-2012, 06:41 PM

Post yours! Bonus points if the encounter is IRL. Here's mine!

Yesterday, a man from a nearby Christian church of a denomination unknown to me knocked on my door. He had a boy with him that was just listening intently. The man started asking me about church, and eventually got to the question of if I've ever thought about going to church recently. Then I said it: "I'm an atheist". The discussion began :p

It was of course, mainly him asking me a bunch of questions, me answering with logic, and him retorting with nonsense. He went on about trying to prove the Bible's truth(like citing calendar dates going by "BC" and "AD") His biggest one was the whole "If individual disassembled parts of a car can't arrange itself to form something working, the universe can't either". I kept telling him that what he was claiming was a false dichotomy... just because he don't understand how the universe works don't mean he should jump to the conclusion of a creator.

He insisted that there must have been. Well with no proof on his end, and my obvious rejection of his illogical assertion, he realized that he wasn't gonna convert me and left, far before I was satisfied with the discussion. I had so much more to say to him!

It was a fun experience though, and definitely a good exercise on my part. I believe that the more viewpoints we experience, out knowledge of the world and the human mind grows. Especially for recluses like me :p

*scurries back to my cave*

Eternal · 02-10-2012, 07:09 PM

Should be a good thread orangeitis. I'm going to have to go and start a debate now.

psychodiva · 02-11-2012, 03:54 AM

I really can't be bothered with the fuckers these days- unless they encroach on me I walk right past the idiots- too busy living life to correct their idiocy- they can pay for their education instead of getting it free from me

Broga · 02-11-2012, 08:35 AM

I had an encounter last year. There I am walking along minding my own business when a man detached himself from a little group and comes up to me. "Do you agree that the world is in a terrible state with all the wars and famines?" he asks.

"It could do with improving," I say.

"Do you know how the world could be made a better place?" he asks.

"I have some ideas," I say. "For a start there are too many people and we need to do something about that. Next, and it is associated, we need to do something about the destructive effects of religion which causes many of the problems."

He pauses then asks, "Did you know that if we accept Jesus Christ he will solve these problems?"

"I know you have no evidence for that statement and that Jesus Christ has been, it seems, trying to solve these problems for 2000 years."

He then starts shuffling pages in his bible and says, "Let me read what the bible says as it deals with your concerns."

"No thanks. And you really ought to find a more productive way to spend a Saturday afternoon." End of discussion.

Smellyoldgit · 02-11-2012, 09:30 AM

When he said "Did you know that if we accept Jesus Christ he will solve these problems?"
I would probably have responded - "Fuck off you stupid dumb shit"
.... I'm like that ....

psychodiva · 02-11-2012, 10:14 AM

I would go with what Smelly said- they don't deserve my respect or attention

Eternal · 02-11-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

psychodiva wrote

I would go with what Smelly said- they don't deserve my respect or attention

Yep, sounds like a pretty reasonable response, I may have gone for something slightly stronger than shit though.

Stargazer · 02-11-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Broga wrote

"No thanks. And you really ought to find a more productive way to spend a Saturday afternoon."

I also like Broga's response. Broga, do you mind if I use that on the next batch who knocks on the door unasked?

orangeitis · 02-11-2012, 11:06 AM

And the Gregorian calendar was made in 1580 by Pope Gregory XIII... it wasn't directly because of Jesus. Besides, the notion that the calendar is directly because of Jesus would imply that there is 33 or so years between BC 1 and AD 1.

UGH that guy was an idiot <.<

ILOVEJESUS · 02-11-2012, 11:32 AM

I must admit to not getting bothered too often. I do have to spend a lot of time in police cells though, for this little luxury, mainly because it is illegal to walk around with your knob dangling out your zipper.
I am sure that there would be a strong Libertarian stance on this regulation though..... I await the rebellion.

Broga · 02-11-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Stargazer wrote

I also like Broga's response. Broga, do you mind if I use that on the next batch who knocks on the door unasked?

Feel free. I find with these types that a cool response seems to unsettle them more than outright abuse. They trot off back to their group and seem to report back on it. (Much looking back at the offender as they see it.) With the smelly/psychodiva response (and I agree they are justifyably provoked) they disappear feeling, I think, wronged by encountering some brute or brutess. Not that I flatter myself that I have dented their ingrained superstitions.

divine zombie · 02-11-2012, 08:19 PM

Living in a little village there's not much door to door activity round here. But once a year an evangelist sets up in the park by the Community Centre - lives in a winnebagoh (sp) and has either a big tent or a wee marquee to conduct services for a week.

I often used to chat with him when I was walking the dog, he's an affable chap, but for whatever reason he never said anything about religion.

It completely whooshed by him one night when the local Rangers Supporters Club EOS Dance was on and I said that he'd enjoy that evening - there would be some fine xtian songs being sung......

Stargazer · 02-11-2012, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Broga wrote

Feel free. I find with these types that a cool response seems to unsettle them more than outright abuse. They trot off back to their group and seem to report back on it. (Much looking back at the offender as they see it.) With the smelly/psychodiva response (and I agree they are justifyably provoked) they disappear feeling, I think, wronged by encountering some brute or brutess. Not that I flatter myself that I have dented their ingrained superstitions.

I agree with this, and have made it a point in debates with fundies not to ever raise my voice or use hostile language. However, I make my points. Kinda like I was doing with Egor and Ex. Women, especially, have a tendency to sound shrill if they do attempt a lot of volume or vehemence, and once that happens they will not be listened to.

I find a totally calm and unflappable exterior, armed with a lot of four and five syllable words and crystal clear logic puts them off their guard.

Smellyoldgit · 02-12-2012, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Broga wrote

With the smelly/psychodiva response (and I agree they are justifyably provoked) they disappear feeling, I think, wronged by encountering some brute or brutes

They disappear with absolutely no doubt that their happy horseshit is not welcome, not wanted, not tolerated, not accommodated and they should not come back. I'm delighted to know that the JWs have me black listed 'Do Not Call' against my house! The catlick priest nods at me in welcome but no longer utters any theo-bollocks at me - he's learnt enough unsavory words for one lifetime. Be polite and non-confrontational all you wish, but any chink in a response will be seen as a weakness and they'll be back for another go at your soul before you can fart in their direction!

psychodiva · 02-12-2012, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Smellyoldgit wrote

They disappear with absolutely no doubt that their happy horseshit is not welcome, not wanted, not tolerated, not accommodated and they should not come back. I'm delighted to know that the JWs have me black listed 'Do Not Call' against my house! The catlick priest nods at me in welcome but no longer utters any theo-bollocks at me - he's learnt enough unsavory words for one lifetime. Be polite and non-confrontational all you wish, but any chink in a response will be seen as a weakness and they'll be back for another go at your soul before you can fart in their direction!

exactly

there are far too many reasonable, intelligent and interesting people in this world I have yet to converse with for me to waste my time on these idiots