Monday, November 21, 2011

A Reminder for Christians: Debating with an Atheist/Evolutionist

Through recent experience, I have come to the conclusion that debating with and Atheist/Evolutionist over origins is useless in converting the Atheist/Evolutionist from their way of thinking. For every argument, they will have a counter-argument that is better in their own eyes. Also, if the debate is in a forum where other Atheist/Evolutionists have the ability to join in the debate, they will and they will feed off of each other. If you are debating solo, it becomes impossible to address every one of their arguments before they send another wave. They will accuse you of Straw Man arguments, Red Herrings, and other logical fallacies (which in my case was incorrect), while using those same logical fallacies and more in their own arguments.

To clarify, I am not saying these debates should not happen or that they are useless, because they do get people on the fence thinking. But don't go into it thinking that you will be able to change an Atheist/Evolutionist's way of thinking with debate, or that to witness to them you must overcome those beliefs. Through this experience, I have been reminded that the reason Atheist/Evolutionists believe what they believe is not because of the science, but because of the condition of their heart. They don't want to face the God of the Bible on Judgement Day. They don't want to live a life accountable to God. The best way to change an Atheist/Evolutionist's thinking is not through science, but through their conscience. Also, remember that we don't do the converting; God does.