I suppose the first thing an Atheist should consider when debating a Christian is that they might possibly be wrong about the existence of God. I am probably not the best person to debate this topic because on any given day, I might give you a completely different answer than the day before. I want to believe in God, I truly do. I generally call myself a Christian Agnostic. I believe in the Ten Commandments and their value to mankind, but I basically have no proof of an orthodox God. I believe in being good for goods’ sake.
A Christian Family and Friends
Some of my family and friends are devout Christians. I respect their tenacity and devotion to their beliefs, but I am not built that way. I have always needed proof for most of my beliefs. Sometimes I find the proof, but just as often, I don’t.
Many say to look around you at the beauty of nature for your proof that there is a God. Yes, there are many awe-inspiring venues in nature, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they were created by God.
The debate between Atheist and Christian
When debating a Christian, one should respect their beliefs, because they are entitled to them, just as you are your non-belief. Some of them have worked hard for their Christianity and to some, it has come very easily. That is part of my problem with the whole issue. Why is that? It seems to me that we should have all started out with the same basic chance. Why would God make some of us doubters and others not.? Why should it be so easy for some? If there is a God, what did I do to deserve all this angst about God?
Generally, I believe that God lives in each of us, so I guess I do believe, at least for today. I truly believe that there is an energy, a power, something, that our souls want to reconnect with. Yes, I said it, souls. And I believe in prayer, there. Score one for the Christians. But yet, that doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a God in the orthodox sense. I believe that the power of prayer is in the energy evoked, especially in a group setting with many praying toward the same end.
If you’ve never seen the movie “Rapture” you should try to view it. The main character spends most of her adult life trying to find God. She abandons the sinful ways of her youth and joins a church. She buys into God; hook, line and sinker. It seems the more she prays and follows God, the more heinous things befall her. Finally towards the end, after being imprisoned for killing her daughter in a religious stupor, the Biblical Rapture begins. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are at her prison cell. The dead daughter appears to her mother and tells her all is forgiven, and God wants her to follow him now. She is given a chance to redeem herself. All she has to say is that she believes and cross the river to be reunited with her daughter and God in heaven for eternity. Even though she finally has her proof that God exists and he is offering her life eternal, she can not, will not, do not accept. That is all she had to do, but she didn’t.
I, on the other hand, am not that stubborn. If I see The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, lightning flashing, clouds parting, and bugles blowing, I’m with you, Lord.
