P
PLAT
Guest
I think it is better if a mod can move this thread into Apologetics.
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J
Jehoshua
Guest
Before i give you my opinion on specific questions I will give you my opinion on how to approach your peers arguments.
Firstly don;t act defensive, and do not under any circumstances try and deflect the question.
In my senior year of school I got told in a discussion amongst a group of my classmates, by the school captain no less, that at least myself and this orthodox guy can have an honest debate on the subject, “schools pastor” (i went to a protestant school in high school) just avoids the question.
If you appear to be defensive or if you appear timid then that implies that your faith and conviction is lacking and to the atheist connotes that your faith therefore is not convincing and therefore is likely to be false. If you approach the question head on when asked (street preaching makes people annoyed so initating a session is counterproductive) with valour, then that combined with knowledge gives a much better impression than trying to shy away from the argument and will perhaps endenger more respect for you and your faith.
As to some of your specific questions heres some suggestions of what to say regarding
Evolution.
Evolution is a completely valid theory, as long as it is accepted that the soul comes directly from God. This is why humanity is said to be made in Gods image, because the eternal component of man is made with aspects that are distinct from other creatures, such as free will and a conscience not to mention the nature of the soul itself that mirror aspects of God.
Human Suffering
God made man with free will, because without free will we would simply become automata that had no real conviction or true love for eachover and for God. Because God wants to have a genuine relationship of love with us he gave man free will, to choose God or to turn away from God. Because to have a perfect little world where nothing bad ever happens would simply be slavery because we would have not choice and thus it would would have no value for man because he everything would be not of his choosing and there would be no feeling or “life” in creation because it wouldn’t be out of genuine and free will and emotional conviction.
likewise as to natural disasters you simply need to acknowledge that the universe runs by a natural order and God won;t violate the natural order because to do so would neccessitate other worse disasters. As to the order itself it is the best model available so if they retort with God could of made a better order than challenge them to come up with an alternative.
The other questions have been answered well here and by you yourself, also they reek of ignorance and of an attempt to stir the pot, i will not adress them here.
Finally like others ill advise you that the best response to atheists is to walk the walk, through action and through living christianity throughout every action you create a living billboard for christianity and its message, this is much more effective than say a JW going door to door at 6 in the morning rambling on about how christmas is a pagan holiday
Learn the faith, live it faithfully both in its social and moral teachings, go to mass to strengthen you with God’s grace through the eucharist, go to confession regularly with contrition to relieve your sin. pray unceasingly and follow the devotions. use sacramentals to remind you of Christ and his love for humanity.
If you live the catholic faith in every moment than you yourself by your example will become a beacon a light to all others calling them home to Christ and his Church.
Firstly don;t act defensive, and do not under any circumstances try and deflect the question.
In my senior year of school I got told in a discussion amongst a group of my classmates, by the school captain no less, that at least myself and this orthodox guy can have an honest debate on the subject, “schools pastor” (i went to a protestant school in high school) just avoids the question.
If you appear to be defensive or if you appear timid then that implies that your faith and conviction is lacking and to the atheist connotes that your faith therefore is not convincing and therefore is likely to be false. If you approach the question head on when asked (street preaching makes people annoyed so initating a session is counterproductive) with valour, then that combined with knowledge gives a much better impression than trying to shy away from the argument and will perhaps endenger more respect for you and your faith.
As to some of your specific questions heres some suggestions of what to say regarding
Evolution.
Evolution is a completely valid theory, as long as it is accepted that the soul comes directly from God. This is why humanity is said to be made in Gods image, because the eternal component of man is made with aspects that are distinct from other creatures, such as free will and a conscience not to mention the nature of the soul itself that mirror aspects of God.
Human Suffering
God made man with free will, because without free will we would simply become automata that had no real conviction or true love for eachover and for God. Because God wants to have a genuine relationship of love with us he gave man free will, to choose God or to turn away from God. Because to have a perfect little world where nothing bad ever happens would simply be slavery because we would have not choice and thus it would would have no value for man because he everything would be not of his choosing and there would be no feeling or “life” in creation because it wouldn’t be out of genuine and free will and emotional conviction.
likewise as to natural disasters you simply need to acknowledge that the universe runs by a natural order and God won;t violate the natural order because to do so would neccessitate other worse disasters. As to the order itself it is the best model available so if they retort with God could of made a better order than challenge them to come up with an alternative.
The other questions have been answered well here and by you yourself, also they reek of ignorance and of an attempt to stir the pot, i will not adress them here.
Finally like others ill advise you that the best response to atheists is to walk the walk, through action and through living christianity throughout every action you create a living billboard for christianity and its message, this is much more effective than say a JW going door to door at 6 in the morning rambling on about how christmas is a pagan holiday
Learn the faith, live it faithfully both in its social and moral teachings, go to mass to strengthen you with God’s grace through the eucharist, go to confession regularly with contrition to relieve your sin. pray unceasingly and follow the devotions. use sacramentals to remind you of Christ and his love for humanity.
If you live the catholic faith in every moment than you yourself by your example will become a beacon a light to all others calling them home to Christ and his Church.
A
aussie_girl
Guest
So are Muslims. You’re entitled to your beliefs, I’m not obliged to share them.
A
aussie_girl
Guest
What makes you think what you believe is the “truth” though?
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