How do you debate with people who claim everything is fake?

[Dale_M]

Sounds like a Proverbs 26:4 situation.

The old saying, allegedly by Mark Twain, also came to mind:

Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.

Sometimes prolonging a discussion simply adds credibility to the other side, and makes your own look weaker.

 

[edwest2]

Ed,

This is a really great point, one that I had not thought of and one that can be of significant value.

Thanks and God Bless,
Bill

You’re welcome, Bill.

Peace,
Ed

 

[spencelo]

They say the Crusades were this.
I say it was that.
They say my information was doctored by the Church and thus not the true story.

They say a baby at 12 weeks old isn’t human.
I send them to a link that shows pictures of aborted 10 week old babies. (not my finest moment but in my defense they weren’t really ‘fighting’ fair either)
They say the pictures aren’t real.

Every time I turn around I’m commanded to provide the source of my information and every time I do people dismiss it as fake, or made up, or not real…

How on earth do I respond to this?

My response thus far has been to abandon debates in which people are continually dismissing any ‘evidence’ I present but there must be a way to speak sense to these people… isn’t there?

Well, I suspect that the people you debate probably also think that you dismiss their evidence a bit too easily – genuine dialogue between people with firm ideological stances can be difficult. (FYI: I speak from firsthand experience ).

 

[spencelo]

They are saying it’s fake as a defence mechanism. If they acknowledge that it is real they will have to either change their lives

Astute observation. In my experience, a particularly pernicious defense mechanism often erected in response to charges of animal cruelty is to deny that animals are capable of having rich emotional lives, despite the *irrefutable, overwhelming *evidence to the contrary.

 

[Crescentinus]

A lot of them are in the mood to either pick a fight or try and prove that Catholics are insert pejorative here.

 

[nickybr38]

Have you ever asked them for sources that prove that it is fake?

Oh yes! Their response was to tell me I’m stupid because I can’t see reality and twist the truth so life suits my beliefs.

To which I said ? Wait a minute. I’m the one with SOURCES to back up my belief and you have none? How am I the one twisting things!!?