What is the best theist argument you've ever heard?
Good question. When I hear ANY good theist argument I will get back to you.
(Meteorite Debris #1417)
The ones that take the line that reason is a flawed tool seem to last the longest. (The Owen)
I don't know if this qualifies as an rational argument, but I find it difficult to answer back when the theist resorts to personal experience.
I will ask: 'How do you know that there is a god?'
And they will answer: 'Well, I feel him.'
Then I say: 'I don't.'
And the theist will comeback with something like: 'Well you're not trying hard enough.'
Then what do I say? (John Hachmann #1782)
Argument as in "argument", none. But they've put some effort in doing all that "watch on the beach" story. At least they got some beautiful words in a row, even if it's a paradigm of a lame argument. (Angel Arnal #1443)
I honestly can't think of one that passes muster. I'm of the opinion that ultimately the theist is forced to reject reason in favor of blind faith. Because in the end, all their arguments can be boiled down to the assertion that there exists some sort of cosmic super critter (which is infinite and therefore cannot be fully comprehended by our finite minds) that created everything that exists (through methods we cannot fathom) for purposes only it can understand. Of course, that basic message is wrapped in all sorts of rhetorical obfuscation but, stripped of the ranting and the bible babble, that's what it boils down to. There's no argument there, only assertion. (George Ricker #146)
I have only ever heard two- "Pascal's Wager", and "You can't prove that there is no god".
Everything else is just a variation on a theme (Puck Greenman #162)
Best=most amusing: That koalas have adapted to eating eucalypt leaves since the flood, or were fed on dried leaves or eucalypt oil or eucalypt saplings while on the ark and seeds of eucalypts managed to grow through all the flood sediment in the course of a year. [I also liked answersingenesis.com's response to a question I sent them regarding 'why the change to carnivorous from vegetarian diets was not evolution': "buy this book"]. Close second, what little I can make out of Tertullian (e.g. see sig). Distant third, papal teachings on contraception.
Best=Most Vocal: almost any debate between theists who differ on a seemingly minor point of doctrine. (faith alone vs works + faith, for e.g.)
Best=most logical: discussions of fact unrelated to religion, rather than doctrine.
Unless you meant 'arguments in favour of a theistic position', in which case "Have Faith" is the only one that rates a mention, and then only because it tacitly admits there's no _reason_ for adopting it. (Martin Crisp #1792)
The best argument I have heard, came from, in fact, an open minded atheist stating a theist position.
I frequently debate with my father (theist) about how illogical his views are. He is in his mid 60's, smoking with heart problems. He is determined that there is a place for him "up above" when he departs. My atheist freind had a good point.
He told me "He is getting near the end of his life and his beliefs give him comfort- Why am I so determined to take that comfort away from him?" (Julia #1899)
"I know there's no evidence of a God or an afterlife, but I'm *really* afraid of ceasing to exist when I die. I find the Christian idea of Heaven to be very comforting."
I found I couldn't argue against this, except to say that *I* had been able to come to grips with my pending non-existence. Since she was such a nice person, being so open and honest with me, I couldn't bring myself to say I considered myself a
"stronger" person, that she was essentially emotionally weak. (Carl Funk #1229)
