How do you politely call someone a fool?

[GoodNewsJim]

I get *a lot* of people saying,"God is in the wrong because he did X/Y or Z" They fail to realize God knows a whole lot more than we do. So by judging God, they're actually like a corrupt judge who rules on a case they don't understand. You are clearly a fool if you want to place judgment on God, yet people think they're so smart when they do it. I know scripture says God makes fools of the worldly wise, and that he uses what the world considers foolish(preaching). Should we be more vocal about this to people who are quick to judge God? What are tactics you've used in this situation.



1 Corinthians 1:19-21 GNT
19 The scripture says, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and set aside the understanding of the scholars." 20 So then, where does that leave the wise? or the scholars? or the skillful debaters of this world? God has shown that this world's wisdom is foolishness!21 For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called "foolish" message we preach, God decided to save those who believe.

 

[BreadAlone]

I think we should take Christ's advice and stop casting our pearls to the swine. The Holy Spirit does His work through the Gospel. He doesn't need us to fight His battles or prove anything. After all, the Gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing; consequently, we are fools to them.

 

[Zoness]

Interesting problem.

 

[Obzocky]

Politely calling someone a fool:

Whilst you make several interesting points you, good sir, are a fool. Do not trouble me with your opinions.

 

[r035198x]

Why would you call someone a fool?
What will be the benefit of that?

 

[Apollo Celestio]

Best not to plan ahead for it.

 

[K9_Trainer]

Ad hominem attacks really aren't the best way to approach the situation.

 

[Zoness]

Ad hominem attacks really aren't the best way to approach the situation.

+1

It usually implies you are out of arguments or have no logical foundation to your point to start with.

 

[r035198x]

+1

It usually implies you are out of arguments or have no logical foundation to your point to start with.

Not really. It only says something about the person doing the arguing and nothing about the logical foundation of the argument itself.

 

[Zoness]

Not really. It only says something about the person doing the arguing and nothing about the logical foundation of the argument itself.

Ad hominem is a logical fallacy.

 

[acropolis]

"you disagree with me, therefore you are a fool"

 

[r035198x]

Ad hominem is a logical fallacy.

You are missing the point.
Someone using a faulty approach to support an argument says nothing about the validity of the argument itself.

 

[Isambard]

+1

It usually implies you are out of arguments or have no logical foundation to your point to start with.

I think thats the problem when trying to establish the validity of a particular religion or deity.

 

[kevlite2020]

just start the sentence off with "I don't mean to be rude, but." Or, "no offense, but." If you use one of those, you are immune!

 

[Howard Cneal]

'You are a fool, sir.'

 

[Zoness]

You are missing the point.
Someone using a faulty approach to support an argument says nothing about the validity of the argument itself.

Depends on the argument, and I am going to take a step in the dark and say this is about religion. If it is, then if an ad hominem is used against me then I don't plan on listening to any "preaching". If you want to defend your point, even if it stands on its own, you need to not use logical fallacies because your point will be rejected even if it is logically sound or relevant.

just start the sentence off with "I don't mean to be rude, but." Or, "no offense, but." If you use one of those, you are immune!

Oh yes. But realistically: If anyone uses those on me I am by default offended because its actually saying "I'm going to insult you, but don't get mad because I am pretending to be polite".

 

[Blank123]

Ad hominem attacks really aren't the best way to approach the situation.

This. If you start name-calling, you've lost the debate. Keep your arguments centered squarely on the issue at hand and never turn it into a personal issue.

If someone else is making it impossible to stay focused on the issue being discussed, then they are showing that they have no foundation for their argument, and there's no need to continue on.

 

[Tamara224]

Fools don't know they're fools. And since a fool doesn't listen to wise counsel, fools never discover their foolishness just by being told about it.

 

[Deacon]

Punch them in the face and call them an idiot....works good for me.

 

[Howard Cneal]

Punch them in the face and call them an idiot....works good for me.

I like this.