How do you politely call someone a fool?

Another trick is to give them the "holy crap, you're an idiot" look in response to their words.

Apollo Celestio said:

Another trick is to give them the "holy crap, you're an idiot" look in response to their words.

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Followed by a punch to the face.

Or a backflip kick or dragon punch.. whatever suits ones violent urges.

Apollo Celestio said:

Or a backflip kick or dragon punch.. whatever suits ones violent urges.

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Shoryuken perhaps?

YouTube - Ryu Ultra II - Metsu Shoryuken HD

Deacon said:

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

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Nothing wrong with the direct approach.

Just get up, shake the dust off your robe and leave them to their destruction.





Or have patience and explain why they are wrong and their thinking is foolish. Hopefully you can course correct them to thinking clearly.

Those are the only two valid options the way I see it.

Calling someone out as a fool will not prevent from their folly, instead they will take it as a personal attack and accuse you of having no further right to be in the debate. That is not to say there is no place for calling out someone's ideas as folly, but attack their folly not the person themselves.


Logic and Compassion. Both are needed for clear debate, Both are strongly lacking on the internet.

GoodNewsJim said:

Proverbs 17:10 GNT An intelligent person learns more from one rebuke than a fool learns from being beaten a hundred times.

Scripturally, the punch to the face approach either does not work, or it must be repeated a great many times

I think I've figured it out. I think I'm writing an article on the foolishness of judging God. And anytime someone does it, I'll just link it. Then I don't have to worry about typing the same thing over and over again.

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I have big fist and I have a very menacing punch...(I broke through a cement wall)....

GoodNewsJim said:

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.

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Insulting someone to win an argument is a sure way to influence them negatively toward:

1) You
2) The religion you represent and are arguing to them about

It is true that the bible calls men fools all the time - according to their actions.

It is much less offensive to say:

A) "I think that action/attitude is foolish because....

than to say:

B) You are a fool because you've done this or believed this or that.

The first disassosiates the person from the action - so that the action or belief itself comes into question

The second defines someone based on the action/attitude/belief.

In ANY case - if you're simply TRYING TO WIN AN ARGUMENT without any real good motive, and without love - be prepared to turn alot of people off to both you and the religion you represent.

I'm not trying to take a shot at you - for I've been guilty of the same things myself.

Get right up in their face and bellow "LURK MOAR, FGT"

EDIT: This was my 5000th post. Go me.

"I don't mean to be offensive, but you are a fool."
[shaking head]
To call someone a fool politely is patronizing which is worse than seriously calling someone a fool. At least with someone who is calling you a fool, you know how you stand with them, as compared to someone doing it politely because doing it in a polite manner is deceptive because if they take it in a polite way, the response is no where accurate to how the word itself is.

You are a Christian so I have to ask(the OP):
Your scriptures say what it does about being a fool. Is it your job to reiterate that people who say there is no god is a fool, or to preach the Gospel of Christ?

I know a Christian, that I have to admit...I respect his way of trying to convert me. Only one time did I get 'offended' and it was an accident from him not realizing what he was saying and maybe even some of me taking it in a wrong manner and not trusting him that he meant the intentions that he actually had. The guy discoursed with me, engaged me and we both did it respectfully. He is a real example of a Christian showing the message of Christ in a godly manner. Not being shakable on the claims of the Bible but knowing how to talk and discuss. Calling someone a fool for the sake of preaching the Gospel shows you don't know how to talk to people about your faith because more times than not, you set the other person up to respond in that same manner.

Christians don't realize how much of a role they play with how bad some of us non-believers can respond to them. If you would come across in a polite manner calling me a fool, my reaction would probably be in the liking of anti-theist. Take my friend, he and others could think that I'm questioning to understand...two different perspectives and I at least admit that my responses are never consistent and they never will be because no matter the way my response is or taken, the fact remains afterwards...I'm a non-believer.

So the final word from me on this topic...don't even bother trying to figure it out. We know what the Bible says loud and clear, you telling us won't change us. Focus on trying to get the message of Christ with conversion instead of stating that we're fools.

The same applies if you weren't intending to mean it to how those who say there is no god is a fool.

Be patient with people.. because we all say dumb stuff.. be kinder then neccessary.. arguments have never got me anywhere.. and I suck at debating.. so I think just stay away..

Kindness leads to repentance.. and the people who I have broken through too.. it is usually my kindness, patience and acceptance of them for who they are.. That makes them listen to me and respect me better.. sometimes you cannot make a difference but more times then not yes you can!!

Zoness said:

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...

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That is irrelevant to the point I am making.
Your statement said that if someone posed illogical reasoning to support an argument then there is something wrong with the argument they are supporting. That's the logic that I'm saying is faulty.
If I say that aliens exist because I saw them in a movie then you can only draw conclusions about my reasoning ability not about the existence or otherwise of aliens.

r035198x said:

That is irrelevant to the point I am making.
Your statement said that if someone posed illogical reasoning to support an argument then there is something wrong with the argument they are supporting. That's the logic that I'm saying is faulty.
If I say that aliens exist because I saw them in a movie then you can only draw conclusions about my reasoning ability not about the existence or otherwise of aliens.

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I can understand that, but like I originally said: if you are using an ad hominem against me, especially on religion expect to be ignored by default. By extrapolation, I'm not concerned about the argument because the original point has been removed by insulting someone.

Regarding the OP (therefore this is a bit of a blind post)...

I don't really call any one "fools." From what I understand scripture's use of it, it's really more a discussion of the state of man, especially in their perishing state. While I wouldn't lie to an unbeliever about what scripture teaches regarding those who are perishing, but I don't go around pointing to people and saying, "Hey, foo'! Foo'! I pity da foo'!"

In an unrelated note, there was one time I was very tempted to quote White Hunter, Black Heart and the famous Clint Eastwood line "Madame, you are the ugliest G-- d--- b---- I have ever seen," but that's another and much longer story (also, just to clarify, no I did not say it, by the grace of God).

BreadAlone said:

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.

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Truth!

A polite way to call someone a fool? ... I don't follow, why would it it be impolite? As quite a large fool myself I hope there is no negative implication to your use of the word fool. This kind of bias will not be tolerated! That is our word!

Jk

honestly don't ... just don't. Telling a person they are a fool, or wrong, will do you no good, nor them. If they are wrong, hearing that they are wrong and thus a fool, will only make them dig in more. Even proving them wrong will be tricky, unless it is something very easy to prove like: is the light on or off, if it gets much more detailed than this, than the realm of human opinion takes over and there is no proof that will disprove a solid opinion; human condition 101

if it is an issue that really matters, and it is important for them to know, pray that God opens their eyes, and do not come at them head on. It wont do you or them any good. Wait until you have a chance and then simply share with them your opinion and reasons, let them take them for what they want, if they want to know more share, if not, let what you said marinate with them.

K
O
fools up smartypants down

Matthew 5:21b But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.


No person is a lost cause unless they give up on themselves. People will hear true reason eventually, it just takes patience and fortitude.