Argueing the faith

[Koolerkev]

I’m currently in some arguments with youtube atheists/agnostics. But this sort of applies to any time it looks necessary to defend the faith. I was wondering if it would be wise to engage in these kinds of arguments in the first place, especially online. Because I know that when people aren’t willing to recieve the truth, an argument can be completely fruitless, and that it would’ve been better to not have argued at all. Like you lead a horse to water, but you can’t force it to drink. Somehow, you lead your opponent(horse) to a valid point(water) that refutes one of their arguments, but your opponent ignores it(refusing to drink) and continues to push the same argument over and over again. That and somewhere in the bible it says not to engage in arugments.

But then I realize that one of the spiritual works of mercy is to instruct the ignorant. And so many times opponents don’t believe in the Church because of some misunderstanding of it. And it would be right to instruct them other wise. But again sometimes the problem of leading a horse to water, but being unable to force them to drink comes up, and in the end, both parties end up angered and frustrated.

Anyway, should I avoid argueing with others in general unless they seem very teachable on the matter or should I still try my best to instruct the ignorant where ever I go even if others can’t accept it and of course, if they ask for it?

 

[Genesis315]

I think verbal arguments are good for strengthening the faith of fellow Catholics in the face of arguments against the faith and for dialogue with those who are actually sincere in seeking the truth. But for those obstinate folks who only argue for argument’s sake and really aren’t interested in what you say, it should generally be avoided. Here is some good advice:

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law. For they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, avoid:* 11* Knowing that he, that is such an one, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned by his own judgment.

St. Ambrose:

To avoid dissensions we should be ever on our guard, more especially with those who drive us to argue with them, with those who vex and irritate us, and who say things likely to excite us to anger. When we find ourselves in company with quarrelsome, eccentric individuals, people who openly and unblushingly say the most shocking things, difficult to put up with, we should take refuge in silence, and the wisest plan is not to reply to people whose behavior is so preposterous.

Those who insult us and treat us contumeliously are anxious for a spiteful and sarcastic reply: the silence we then affect disheartens them, and they cannot avoid showing their vexation; they do all they can to provoke us and to elicit a reply, but the best way to baffle them is to say nothing, refuse to argue with them, and to leave them to chew the cud of their hasty anger.

St. Dominic:

Heretics are to be converted by an example of humility and other virtues far more readily than by any external display or verbal battles. So let us arm ourselves with devout prayers and set off showing signs of genuine humility and go barefooted to combat Goliath.

 

[buffalo]

I find they are so blinded by hate and ignorance that they will not see any truth. They tend to swarm you like demons and drown you out. They resort to name calling and vulgarity. It gets pretty ugly.

I invite them here where there is moderation and where they actually have to bring an argument.

 

[Dismas2004]

My experience has been that this does not work as an effective route for evangelization. It is much like any attack on the Church - those that make the attack co do so with little effort and the damage is done. Any effort to try to correct it requires an exponentially greater effort.

For example - someone says “No one made Peter Pope - that’s not in scripture.” That requires at best a detailed explanation of Salvation History and many scriptures.

If you really want to help to evangelize and inform the ignorant - work for evangelizing those most in need, those that will become tomorrow’s future: the college aged. Where do you think most of these people learn the “junk” they know?

First and foremost however, it must start with prayer and knowing Christ Jesus yourself in such a way that they joy of Christ is contagious.