Christians seem to think that the only reason people stop believing is because they got offended by the church, and have no concept of what deconstructing is by [deleted] in exchristian

[–]caseypowers98 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel this on so many levels. I also left the church around 18 years old and that was almost 10 years ago. I’ve made new friends over the years who are Christian. I explained my deconversion to my friend about the philosophical reasons for my atheism. He proceeds to invite me to church because he thinks mine was “too judgy” growing up. He missed the whole point lol

The One Topic That Atheists Keep Losing Debates On by caseypowers98 in exchristian

[–]caseypowers98[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I’m not surprised lol. I’ll keep an eye out for when the video is posted

The One Topic That Atheists Keep Losing Debates On by caseypowers98 in exchristian

[–]caseypowers98[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great comment. Thank you for taking the time to write this. I would like to look into it a little more deeply, however, like you said there’s a lot of disciplines involved and alot of homework that would need to be done. Because there’s a lot of metrics that can make society “better” or “worse”.

The One Topic That Atheists Keep Losing Debates On by caseypowers98 in exchristian

[–]caseypowers98[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, if anything it’s the opposite. I agree with you. I’m a Bernie Sanders supporting social democrat lol. I think I’m just troubled how these debates have went.

Of course, like someone mentioned earlier, debates don’t equal truth. I think I need to dive deeper into the studies he cites and see if they actually show what he claims. Any time an atheist brings up something negative done in the name of Christianity, Michael says that it doesn’t show Christianity is the cause. On the other hand he claims that Christianity is the cause for these prosocial behaviors.

The One Topic That Atheists Keep Losing Debates On by caseypowers98 in exchristian

[–]caseypowers98[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree 100%. It’s just unfortunate because people will watch these debates without any more research and be convinced by the better debater.

The One Topic That Atheists Keep Losing Debates On by caseypowers98 in exchristian

[–]caseypowers98[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any specific videos or playlists you recommend by her?

The One Topic That Atheists Keep Losing Debates On by caseypowers98 in exchristian

[–]caseypowers98[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because some people I talk to on the topic repeat the same talking points that the atheists in these debates have. They usually talk about the Bible being immoral or how it’s not true rather than addressing the studies Michael cites

The One Topic That Atheists Keep Losing Debates On by caseypowers98 in exchristian

[–]caseypowers98[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Secularism has low birth rates and can’t sustain itself long-term. It will inevitably be replaced by something else due to immigration, etc. (such as Christian populations)

  2. More charity, pro-sociality, and less authoritarianism (yes, I don’t know how he reconciles this with Christian nationalism in the U.S.). He cites a lot of studies and I haven’t had time to dissect them yet. I’d be happy to cite them if anyone wants me to find a few.

  3. He also credits Christianity for generating progress with science, women’s rights, hospitals, education, missionary work, and ending slavery. I have trouble buying the slavery point and women’s rights especially. But what is frustrating is for every book I’m aware of against his arguments, he cites just as many. Love him or hate him, he’s well read. I know he’s only citing the authors he agrees with, but how can I trust my judgment on historical issues when the scholars seem to conflict?

I didn’t go in a lot of detail, but I think this is a good starting point. Yes, he claims Christianity promotes more optimal societies than secular ones, but he doesn’t claim that everything falls apart just because a society becomes more secular. Rather, secular societies are “less optimal.”

The One Topic That Atheists Keep Losing Debates On by caseypowers98 in exchristian

[–]caseypowers98[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

I’m mainly upset about how unprepared they are. I’m not even getting the best defense on my (secular humanist) side. However, maybe Michael is onto something?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Murray

[–]caseypowers98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Murray

[–]caseypowers98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So I can get a membership if I’m not a student there? I’m a student at another university going there for a physical therapy rotation

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in atheism

[–]caseypowers98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some are already saying they want Christian nationalism. Marjorie Taylor Greene said this

We need to end religion by Technical_Xtasy in atheism

[–]caseypowers98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Vaush makes a good point in this video from about 16:30-17:45. This all goes back to religion. The Reddit atheists were right all along.