More than simply spending time on CF, what I mean is why bother arguing against Christianity?
There are numerous reasons; one being that Christianity (and religion generally) has an influence on political decisions.
Why engage in atheist apologetics?
What's that?
If, as a Christian, I am wrong and there is no creator; life is a cosmic accident; there is no objective basis for morality; when I take my last breath, I'll cease to exist.
Loaded question; assumes points not yet established.
Who cares? Why try to "save me" from my "error"?
Because we all share a common experience known as "the human condition."
If I'm wrong my life is just as meaningless as yours is.
I don't consider my life meaningless.
In other words, if you were to "convert" me to atheism, you'd have wasted your time. You've converted me to nothingness.
Atheism is not equivalent to nihilism.
A Christian spends time on apologetics because he knows that people are immortal.
He knows this on the basis of what?
We engage in apologetics in order to possibly spare some from rejecting the only source of life there is; therefore our time is (potentially) not wasted here. My assertion is that your time is wasted here.
How many have you actually converted with apologetics on CF? My guess is that the number is close to 0. So whose wasting their time?
I suppose that you could argue that people with beliefs in Christ are not useful members of society, but that would imply that there is an objective purpose for society in the first place. It would also ignore the countless contributions that Christians have made to higher education, hospitals. . .
No one is arguing that Christians are not useful members of society, so the point is moot.
I suppose you could also argue that my life would be more meaningful or happy without trust in Christ. But, a life that is a cosmic accident headed full-speed for a permanent grave is hopeless, not happy, as all actions would lack meaning,
In your worldview, something either has theological significance or else it has no significance at all. The hopelessness - the nihilism - comes from your worldview.
This is a apologetics forum. Christians defend their positions, so turnabout is fair play. Without intentionally being rude, it seems to me that an atheist must invent purpose in order not to think out the implications of his worldview.
Again, you are talking about
your worldview, which you are projecting onto us.
He has to essentially lie to himself just to get out of bed in the morning and face the meaninglessness of his existence, and the irredeemable pain and suffering all around him.
But I don't consider my existence meaningless. That's how you think I should feel
given your worldview. But I don't feel that way because I don't share your worldview.
As an atheist, are you intellectually honest enough - are you brave enough to admit that your existence (holding to your worldview) is meaningless?
How would that be intellectually honest? According to your worldview, life is meaningless without the divine. Again, that's
your worldview. I don't subscribe to such a nihilistic worldview.
